Womens Program

Economic Empowerment Program

This year, we celebrated a milestone at the Adult Resource Center—the graduation of six remarkable women who completed all four phases of our comprehensive program.

Surrounded by current members, alumni, board members, loved ones, and staff, the graduates stood as living proof of what empowerment, perseverance, and community can accomplish. Their journeys through NFNL’s four-phase program focusing on Financial stability, education, and empowerment—reflect profound personal transformation and unwavering commitment to growth.

Each graduate overcame many challenges to reclaim her life and pursue her goals with purpose. Their success represents not only individual triumphs and NFNL’s approach to healing—combining counseling, case management, legal support, and workforce readiness to support her steps toward freedom and independence.

" It's not just a program, y'all are my family. This place is a place where brokenness is met with love. where second chances are possible and where hope is restored." - Janet, 23

This year, more than 35 women at New Friends New Life took a courageous step toward transforming their futures — securing conventional employment and reclaiming stability, purpose, and hope.

Their success reflects the heart of NFNL’s mission: empowerment through education and opportunity. Through the combined efforts of our Learning Academy and Economic Empowerment Program, women gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue meaningful work and lasting independence. With the right tools, training, and community behind them, survivors are proving that freedom and stability are within reach.

 "Before coming to New Friends New Life, I didn't think there was any hope for me. I didn't think I was going to accomplish as much as I have here."  -Tyrah, 32

Legal Clinic

Our legal team partnered with Toyota and Baker Botts LLP earlier this year to host a transformative pop-up Legal Clinic, providing NFNL members with access to free legal counsel and support with record expungement and general legal counsel. Through this initiative, members were empowered to address barriers that have long limited their opportunities for housing, employment, and soaring into the bright future that awaits them.

Our on-site legal team has also successfully expunged the records of over 17 members this year. Each cleared record represents more than just paperwork—it’s a new beginning, a chance for our members to move forward without the weight of past circumstances holding them back.

This initiative reflects NFNL’s ongoing commitment to creating pathways toward true independence and healing for survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Together with our partners, we’re not only changing records, we’re changing lives.

“They just told me I can get my record expunged… My life is changing!”

-Natalia, 34