Our History

During Sandra Stanley’s volunteer service of five years in the prison ministry at The Potters House of Dallas, serving with the only faith-based program in Texas, LCP Program of Federal Prison; Ms. Stanley saw a flawed system within the transitional process of men and women from incarceration, which greatly impacted her and moved her to action to become a real proponent of positive change. It was then the idea of Opening Doors for Women In Need began to form.

Sandra Stanley, CEO of Opening Doors for Women In Need, founded the organization in 2003. Well recognized for its reentry program, it is Ms. Stanley’s mission to be an active component in reducing the recidivism rate. There are real barriers men and women face when reentering society after being incarcerated; a lack of support systems, having no place to live, and lack of employment history or education that far too often results in men and women returning to the prison system. Ms. Stanley has made it her goal, through ODWIN and Change A Life! The Nehemiah Project, to provide unique advantages for those reentering society by providing a structural system through a transitional housing program for women, and job readiness to include on the job training opportunities for men and women which allows them to train in retail sales, small business management, and office administration.

Ms. Stanley is actively helping to change futures for men, women, and families.