Founded by Susan Burton in 1998, A New Way of Life (ANWOL) is a reentry program for formerly incarcerated women, providing housing, case management, pro bono legal services, advocacy and leadership development for women rebuilding their lives after prison.

ANWOL believes that:

  • Every person has inherent value and holds the power of possibility within.
  • Public resources are better invested in opportunities for transformation than in prisons and punishment. ANWOL provides reentry services for less than a third the cost of incarceration.
  • When a woman goes to prison, her kids serve time, too. Therefore, the healing process must be inclusive of her entire family.

Since 1998, more than 1,000 women and children have found safety and support in ANWOL reentry homes. More than 300 women have been reunited with their children.

Since its inception in 2007, ANWOL’s legal department has provided pro bono services to assist thousands seeking relief from the burden of criminal histories. Those services have opened doors to job opportunities by expunging criminal records and offering access to occupational licenses. As a result of our leadership-building activities, hundreds more have been educated and empowered to advocate around issues that directly affect their lives.

ANWOL has volunteer opportunities and gratefully accepts donations.