INCARCERATION DOESN'T DEFINE A LIFE - BUT A SECOND CHANCE CAN.
Reentry after incarceration is not something anyone should have to do alone. The Way Back stands alongside individuals returning home from prison or jail, offering the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to move from crisis to stability and ultimately to thriving.
Since 1973, we’ve been dedicated to breaking down the overwhelming barriers to successful reentry—unstable housing, unemployment, lack of basic needs, limited support systems, and the stigma of incarceration. Today, 52 years later, our work is centered on practical, person-centered support that starts with the essentials and builds toward long-term success.
We provide immediate help—food, clothing, hygiene items, vital documents, and transportation support—while also walking with each person through personalized case management. Together, we create individualized service plans that include housing assistance, access to healthcare, recovery support, mentorship, education, and workforce readiness. Our programs, like the Employment Readiness Class, equip individuals with the skills and confidence they need to secure meaningful employment and rebuild their lives.
We are also preparing for the future. Plans are underway to expand transitional housing options, grow on-demand workforce training, and a reentry training center—ensuring more people have access to safe housing, skills training, and community connection.
Through accountable case management, compassionate support, and strong community partnerships, The Way Back empowers individuals, restores families, and helps create safer, healthier communities.
WHAT WE DO
The Way Back provides unparalleled, transformative reentry support to individuals returning from incarceration. As a catalyst for change, we empower individuals, restore families, and create safer communities. Our individualized case management and commitment to walking alongside each client on their journey of transformation set us apart as a reentry organization.
Our support transforms lives by:
Reducing recidivism and poverty
Addressing substance abuse and supporting recovery
Ending the cycle of generational incarceration
Countering the long-term impacts of justice system involvement
Reuniting families
Decreasing poverty and homelessness through self-sufficiency
Helping clients overcome barriers to stability and success
Encouraging positive social connections
Building safer, healthier communities
The Way Back exists to disrupt the ripple effects of incarceration. Whatever the crisis or struggle, we meet people where they are and serve with authenticity, commitment, and compassion. Through intentional support, we help our clients move from uncertainty to confidence, building resilience and a foundation for a new life.
Our services create pathways to economic mobility, reduce poverty, and equip individuals with the tools to thrive after incarceration.
The Way Back guides individuals newly released from incarceration to success in a new life with transformational support, services, and accountability. Through our work, we are empowering individuals, restoring families, and creating safer communities.
Residential Real Estate For Reentry Housing
Second Chance Employers
Operational Support
Welcome Home Kit Sponsors (Hygiene and Personal Items)
DART Day Pass Vouchers Funding
Pro Bono Counselors
Pro Bono Legal Aide to assist clients with child visitation and child custody matters.
The Way Back is a values and faith driven organization. We are committed to reflecting those values in how we treat one another and how we work collaboratively across our community. We are committed to inclusion and diversity.
We will:
1. Become more diverse increase the diversity of our Board of Directors.
2. Inspire a culture of openness where candid discussion around bias can take place.
3. Support our under resourced clients who include people of color who are disproportionately affected by incarceration.
4. Provide paid time off for employees to vote in elections.
5. Become more diverse, inclusive and equitable as an organization so that we are more credible addressing these same issues in the community.
6. Leverage expertise within and outside our organization to provide the strategies, best practice examples and success measures to help create more equitable communities and close disparities wherever they exist. We will look to partner with organizations and individuals in the community successfully leading efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.
7. Deepen business and community leaders' understanding of issues. Provide opportunities for the businesses, funders and the community to strategically invest their resources for a more equitable community.
Organization name
The Way Back
Causes
Justice-involved adults or youth
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
PO Box 832407