Our Programs

Friends of Guest House serves our clients through our core programs: the Residential-to-Aftercare program continuum, Workforce & Life Development Program, or the non-residential Outreach Program.

About Our Programs

Through the Friends of Guest House programs, we provide case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and life skills training across all core programs. We work within the greater D.C. Metropolitan area social services network to refer our clients for special services, child custody assistance, emergency services, and whatever else they may need to succeed.

Women are more likely to be non-violent offenders

It is important to understand that the circumstances of female incarceration are different than their male counterparts. Women are more likely to be non-violent offenders and those women who face incarceration are more likely to be the following:

The sole parent to a young child or children

A victim of violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and/or abuse

Facing mental health issues and/or substance use recovery

All Programs

Front porch of Friends of Guest House location

Residential Program

The Friends of Guest House residential program offers our clients a safe, supportive group environment as they reintegrate into the community.

Aftercare Program

Our Aftercare Program helps clients after they leave the Residential Program and transition into responsible members of their communities. This program ensures our clients continue to receive the services they need as they navigate the challenges of independent living and comply with probation requirements.

Outreach Program

Our Outreach Program is a non-residential program serving women transitioning directly from incarceration into the community. The program offers assistance ranging from short-term support to longer-term case management depending on the client’s needs.

Speakers Bureau

The Friends of Guest House Speakers Bureau sends our staff and clients throughout Northern Virginia to diverse audiences to advocate for greater understanding of their challenges and an improved criminal justice system.

Workforce & Life Development

Our Workforce & Life Development Program immerses our clients in experiences they need to reenter the community. Every client participates in our Workforce & Life Development Program as they learn how to find a fulfilling career and succeed once they’re employed.

Mentor Program

Mentors play an essential role in every client’s journey to change. Mentors set goals with our clients, listen without judgement, and teach new skills as clients transition from incarceration.

Since my arrival I have become more inspired than ever before. The amazing and caring support of the staff has encouraged me to do big things. I already feel like I’m a whole new person and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

- Debora

The Guest House is unbelievable, almost too good to be true. The staff only wants the best for you. The program is wonderful and I am so grateful to be a part of the program.”

- Diane

I’m not going to say I was open to everything. Staff suggested mental health services, and I told them they were crazy. But they broke it down for me: [Mental health services] are not for crazy people. It’s for people that suffer from trauma. People who need to talk about the stuff that happened to you; stuff you need to talk about. That was my first big leap into starting my life. They gave me a little bit of hope I’ve never had before. Since then, I’ve been doing what I gotta do.”

- Terry

The best decision I ever made was to apply to the Guest House. Since my arrival I have had one amazing and supportive act of kindness after another. Never in my life have I come across so many selfless people. I have high hopes for a bright future all because of the foundation that the Guest House has helped me to lay.”

- Heidi

This is definitely the best opportunity that I’ve ever been gifted with. When I was at my lowest point, they picked me up, brushed me off, and pushed me to be the best version of myself.”

- Ashley