Friends of Guest House will graduate a group of 26 graduates, its largest class in history. The formerly incarcerated women have successfully completed their transformative one-year residential and after-care program. The event will take place on Oct. 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

The programs at Friends of Guest House have empowered these women to make positive changes in their lives, by offering a second chance and a fresh start to those who have faced adversity. The graduation ceremony will not only honor the achievements of these remarkable women but also symbolize their resilience, determination, and commitment to rebuilding their lives. Prayer blankets for the women will be provided by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Each graduate will also receive pearl earrings from the Alexandria Kiwanis Club, courtesy of Nugget Jewelers, symbolizing the challenge and adversity to overcome extreme pressure and hardship while transforming into something unique and beautiful. 

The event will feature speeches from program leaders, mentors, and former graduates themselves, who will share their personal journeys of growth and transformation. It will be a momentous occasion that brings together the community to celebrate the strength and potential of these women. 

“The graduation ceremony never fails to inspire” said Friends of Guest House Executive Director, Sonja Allen. “We have served over 5,000 women in our programs, which is such a powerful number, but when I watch a woman walk up and receive her certificate of completion, I am reminded of the incredible effort it took her to earn that recognition. They have climbed mountains and overcome so much hardship. I am undone with joy to celebrate this accomplishment with our 2023 graduates.”  

Friends of Guest House invites community members and supporters to join us in recognizing these extraordinary women and the positive impact they are making in our society. We believe that their stories of redemption and rehabilitation are a testament to the transformative power of Alexandria’s compassion, support, and education. 

Friends of Guest House helps women successfully reenter the community from incarceration. Since its founding in 1974, Guest House has helped more than 5,000 women break the vicious cycle of incarceration, reunite with their families, and reintegrate into their communities.