Reentry is not a single moment — it is a journey. And no two journeys look the same.
At Arms Around You, we offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to meet people where they are and walk with them toward where they want to be. Whether someone is stepping out of incarceration for the first time or navigating the ongoing challenges of rebuilding their life, our programs provide the structure, support, and community needed to make lasting change possible.
All of our programs are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and centered on the dignity and potential of every individual we serve.

Reentry Navigation & Stabilization

The first days and weeks after release are the most critical — and often the most overwhelming. Without stable housing, identification, and access to basic resources, the risk of reincarceration rises sharply. That’s why AAY steps in immediately, providing hands-on guidance and advocacy from day one.

We support individuals returning home from incarceration with:

  • Housing navigation support
  • Resource connection (ID, transportation, food access)
  • Case management
  • Systems navigation
  • Advocacy support

Reentry is overwhelming. You don’t have to navigate it alone — we walk alongside you, step by step.

Healing & Community Support

Healing is not optional — it is essential.

Many of the individuals we serve have experienced profound trauma — before, during, and after incarceration. Without space and support to process that trauma, sustainable reentry becomes nearly impossible. Our Healing & Community Support programs create safe, affirming spaces where participants can begin to do the inner work that transforms lives from the inside out.

Our community-based programs are designed to help participants process trauma, rebuild identity, and strengthen emotional resilience. Offerings include:

  • Peer-led support groups
  • Healing circles
  • Accountability and restorative practices
  • Mental health referrals
  • Trauma-informed programming

Because healing is not a luxury. It is the foundation on which everything else is built.

Seeking Safety Within

Seeking Safety Within is a specialized program focused on supporting individuals — particularly within BIPOC communities — who are navigating the intersecting challenges of trauma and substance use recovery.

We recognize that addiction and trauma are deeply intertwined, and that traditional approaches often fail to address the cultural, emotional, and systemic factors that shape each person’s experience. Seeking Safety Within is built differently — centering the whole person, honoring their story, and providing a recovery environment that is both safe and culturally affirming.

The program centers:

  • Trauma-informed care
  • Emotional regulation tools
  • Community accountability
  • Safe, culturally responsive support

Recovery looks different for everyone. We meet you where you are, with the care and cultural understanding you deserve.

Workforce & Life Readiness Support

A job is more than a paycheck — it is dignity, purpose, and independence. But for many returning citizens, the path to employment is blocked by barriers that most people never have to face.

AAY’s Workforce & Life Readiness Support program works to remove those barriers. We connect participants with vocational training, employment opportunities, and the practical life skills needed to sustain long-term success — not just survive reentry, but truly thrive beyond it.

We support participants in building sustainable futures through:

  • Employment navigation
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Professional development workshops
  • Goal setting and life planning
  • Digital literacy support

Reentry is not just about survival — it’s about building a future worth coming home to.

Community Accountability & Harm Repair

We believe accountability should not mean isolation.

True accountability is about more than consequences — it is about taking responsibility, repairing harm, and rebuilding trust within the community. AAY’s Community Accountability & Harm Repair program offers a restorative, community-centered alternative to cycles of punishment that too often leave everyone — the harmed, the community, and the individual — without resolution or healing.

Through restorative and community-centered practices, we:

  • Facilitate dialogue
  • Support harm repair
  • Encourage responsibility
  • Promote long-term transformation

When accountability is paired with compassion and community, transformation becomes possible — for everyone involved.

How Our Support Works Over Time

We don’t just show up once. Arms Around You walks with participants through every stage of reentry — from their first day of release through their first full year back in the community.

First 30 Days of Release

AAY conducts an intake and assessment and communicates weekly to check in, update plans, and develop a supportive relationship. We assess services and needs on a case-by-case basis.

First 90 Days of Release

AAY develops SMART goals and plans for each participant to determine the best resource and referral sources for reentry into the community.

First 6 Months of Release

AAY coordinates with participants to assess their level of stability within the community — ensuring they are integrating into society and assisting with recovery, medical and mental health referrals, and housing resources, on a case-by-case basis.

First Year of Release

AAY assists participants in developing housing and transitional options and provides support to ensure they have the proper information for permanent housing, employment, and/or full-time education.

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you.

With Your Help, We Can Reach Further

Every person deserves the chance to rebuild their life with dignity. But for many returning citizens, that chance depends on whether someone steps up to support them.

Your donation directly funds reentry navigation, healing programs, emergency stabilization, and life skills training for individuals who are working hard to transform their lives. No amount is too small — and every contribution makes a real difference in a real person’s journey home.