Friends of Guest House Opens Newest Facility, Granting 20 More Women Transitional Housing
"We offer a second chance and new beginning,” said Friends of Guest House Executive Director Kari Galloway.
Alexandria, VA – Friends of Guest House, the transitional organization for formerly incarcerated women, has some new digs. Twenty women moved into Friends of Guest House’s newly opened residential six month re-entry program at 120 S. Payne Street.
“The vast majority of our residents experienced domestic violence, parental abuse, or sexual assault before they ever went to prison,” said Friends of Guest House Executive Director Kari Galloway. “When they get released, they don’t want to return to those situations. They want to avoid that. But if they don’t have a home to return to, they can end up on the streets, and then back into the prison system. We offer a second chance and new beginning.”
The former office building was converted into a 10 bedroom, 6 bathroom property by contractor HomeAid Northern Virginia, which also renovated Christ House in the spring. In June, the Alexandria City Council approved a $145,000 loan to partially renovate the building, which was constructed in 1811.
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Friends of Guest House – along with its original property at 1 E. Luray Ave – can now accommodate 60 women per year in their six month reintegration program. More than 400 women apply every year and the expansion to S. Payne Street equates to a 20 percent increase in the number of people who can be helped.
Interested in checking out the property? There is an open house on Oct. 29. Get tickets here!
