NIA House, a housing program run by the Friends Association, is proud to be recognized as a member of the SAFE Housing Network.

SAFE Housing Network provides structure and strategy for supporting formerly incarcerated individuals throughout the nation.

NIA House is a safe living home located in Coatesville and is a housing program for women returning to Coatesville after incarceration.

In addition to housing, the NIA house program provides supportive services focusing on key factors that impact successful reentry for women’s economic empowerment, long-term housing, healing from trauma, health and well-being, peer support, and family reunification.

The program also includes a leadership development program to develop women into future leaders to act on issues impacting their lives.

Since 2018, the Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom & Equality (SAFE) Housing Network has provided a model and framework for supporting formerly incarcerated individuals nationwide.

The SAFE Housing Network operates across 18 states and four countries. It provided housing to 287 individuals and reentry services to 3,890 in 2022.

This network of 32 authorized members is dedicated to modeling the reentry philosophy and services of A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL).

ANWOL was founded in 1998 by Susan Burton to help women, families, and communities break the cycle and heal from the formidable experiences of incarceration.

SAFE Housing Network members receive nonprofit and reentry support from ANWOL through monthly Zoom workshops, annual training retreats, and additional administrative support.

“We are so pleased to have Friends Association as a member of our SAFE Housing Network,” Burton said.  “It is important that women have access to safe housing and the opportunity to rebuild their lives after incarceration. The housing and holistic reentry services offered by Friends Association and the SAFE Housing Network addresses those needs and provide an opportunity for women who need a second chance.

“This will allow the women and residents of Chester County to have an opportunity to change the trajectory of their lives and become contributing members of the community,” Burton said.

Find out more about the SAFE Housing Network.

The Friends Association is a Chester County 501c3 nonprofit focused on solutions to family homelessness. Hundreds of families in the wealthiest county in Pennsylvania experience the trauma of homelessness every year.

With a bold vision for change, Friends believes in the power of neighbors coming together to create a more equitable community for all.

Friends Associations’ innovative programs are focused on four key areas: preventing homelessness, providing emergency shelter, partnering with families to support their stability, and promoting systemic change.Find out more about the Friends Association