Our Impact

People are the heartbeat of the world. For OAA restoring lives means restoring that heartbeat — one family one community at a time.

Lives Impacted
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Years of Peer Support
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Active Mentors
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Community Partners
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Recognition

2026 Public Health Champion

Jefferson County Department of Health

“OAA’s role in reducing gun violence with the VIP² Program is truly commendable. Your selection for this award means that, collectively, you have demonstrated exemplary qualities in response to a local public health need and have made a significant contribution in our community.”

— Dr. David Hicks, DO, MPH, FAAFP

Creating Lasting Change

Reduced Recidivism

Our peer-mentorship model creates lasting connections that dramatically reduce re-offense rates among program participants.

Sustained Reduction

Violence Prevention

Credible Messengers trained by OAA work on the front lines to interrupt cycles of violence before they escalate.

Sustained Reduction

Family Reunification

Hundreds of families have been reunited and strengthened through our intentional family engagement programs.

Families supported and restored

Youth Empowerment

Young people are building futures through mentorship, skill development, and community service opportunities.

Changed lives

Community Safety

Trained Credible Messengers work on the front lines to assist victims and interrupt cycles of violence before escalating.

Lives saved, victims and families strengthened

Economic Stability

Participants receive life skills and job readiness training and are connected to housing and employment resources.

Economic pathway created

Stories from Our Community

OAA gave me a second chance when no one else would. Their mentors understood my struggle because they’d walked the same path. Today, I’m employed, reunited with my family, and giving back.

Sustained Reduction

The violence intervention team literally saved my life. They were at the hospital before my family even arrived. Their support through recovery changed my entire trajectory.

Community Member

Working with OAA’s youth program showed me there’s another way. My mentor believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. That changed everything.

 

Youth Participant

News & Media

Beth Shelburne

Alabama’s ‘Vending Machine Justice’ Victims Are Living ‘Like Livestock’

COVID-19 has led many Americans to rethink prison. But a habitual offender law has condemned hundreds of people…
September 6, 2020
Roy S. Johnson

Johnson: Dena Dickerson has some thoughts on Alabama prisons, Gov. Kay Ivey should listen

OAA Executive Director Dena Dickerson, who served 10 years of a 114-year sentence for a non-violent crime, brings lived experience to the…
July 26th, 2019
WBRC

Out of Prison and giving back

OAA Co-Founder Deborah Daniels — Southeast area director for Prison Fellowship Ministries — shares how her own re-entry struggles…
April 13, 2019
Clayton Daily News

Offender Alumni Association offers mutual support after prison

A portrait of OAA’s Thursday evening peer support meetings — a collaborative forum helping people transitioning from prison back into the commun…
October 23, 2018
AL.com

Stephanie Hicks added to Mayor Woodfin’s Re-Entry Task Force

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the formation of a task force to help the formerly incarcerated re-acclimate into their communities…
April 30, 2018
Iron City Ink

Hope Instead of Hurt

A profile of OAA’s Youth Career Readiness Initiative in Titusville, where OAA leaders provided career training and positive decision-making techniques…
August 16, 2017
ADOC

Letter of Support from Alabama Department of Corrections

Commissioner Jeffery Dunn wrote a formal letter of support to OAA, recognizing the organization for teaching inmates life skills that lead to positive…
February 8, 2017
Inside Journal

The Secret to Strength

OAA Co-Founder Deborah Daniels featured in the Prison Fellowship’s Inside Journal: “It’s about being honest in the midst of challenges, and
February 7, 2017
B-Metro

Profile: Offender Alumni Association

How OAA grew from a handful of determined people into a formal 501(c)(3) — inspired by the AA and NA models, but radical in its embrace of tho…
2017

Support Our Mission

Your gift supports the path to healing and stability for thousands of individuals and families.