On The Way Home (OTWH) was born from lived experience, compassion, and a shared vision between two women who understood the urgent need for meaningful reentry support in Alabama. As mothers, advocates, and loved ones of individuals currently incarcerated in the Alabama prison system, we saw firsthand the struggles that incarcerated citizens face—not just behind bars, but during the difficult transition back into society.
Out of this deeply personal awareness, we founded OTWH not simply as a reentry program, but as a community—a place of belonging, transformation, and hope. We envisioned an organization that would walk alongside returning citizens as they rebuilt their lives, helping them navigate the challenges of reentry while addressing the root causes that led to incarceration in the first place.
One of the biggest barriers we observed was the lack of effective, accessible reentry housing and assistance in one place. Too often, individuals were forced to travel between multiple agencies or organizations just to meet their basic needs—housing, healthcare, employment, and support services. This fragmented system often caused frustration, delay, or even relapse. In response, we committed to creating a centralized, comprehensive reentry hub where residents could access everything they need under one roof.
On The Way Home officially began as a grassroots initiative grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. Our focus is particularly on individuals who have served long sentences and are reentering a world that may feel completely unfamiliar. For them, OTWH provides a safe and supportive space to reestablish themselves as productive, empowered members of society.
We offer more than transitional support—we help individuals heal. Our services include counseling, education, workforce readiness, life skills training, and access to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other supportive resources. We walk with our residents every step of the way, addressing not only logistical needs but also emotional and psychological barriers to successful reintegration.
OTWH has grown from a vision into a mission-driven organization committed to breaking cycles of recidivism, unemployment, and homelessness. Every decision we make is grounded in empathy and respect for the lived experiences of our residents. We believe in their potential. We believe in their power to change. And we believe that with the right support, they can flourish.
This is more than a program. This is a movement to restore dignity, rebuild lives, and strengthen our communities—one returning citizen at a time.
On The Way Home was established in 2023 by two women in Alabama who saw a need for a different type of reentry. The goal was to start a reentry community, not just a program. Somewhere men who have been incarcerated for long periods of time could come and get the help they need while also being comfortable and safe. Both women having an incarcerated loved one they had a different view of reentry than so many others. They wanted men to be able to come to their community and leave changed men.