NAFFA Re-Entry: A Road Back to Family

For many individuals, re-entering society after incarceration is a difficult road to travel.  There are many challenges which try our patience and emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Connecting with family and friends, finding employment and house is deeply personal, and one needs a support system to find the way back home where acceptance abounds. Native American Fatherhood and Families Association (NAFFA) understands this journey and offers a powerful bridge back to family and community through its transformative re-entry program.

Peer Support Specialist K.Lysi teaches men at Red Rock Correctional Center in Eloy, AZ

NAFFA’s Re-entry Program recognizes that re-entry isn't just about avoiding recidivism; it's about rediscovering identity, restoring relationships, and walking forward with purpose. NAFFA believes that every individual, regardless of past mistakes, carries within them the ability to live a life of goodness, decency, and honor. These core values are the foundation of the re-entry path.

A key distinction of NAFFA’s approach is its cultural grounding. Drawing from Indigenous traditions, teachings, and community values, the program affirms that healing begins with remembering who we are. Participants are invited to reclaim their sacred role as fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. With an emphasis on self-worth, identity and purpose, along with the importance of family, the program nurtures inner transformation.

NAFFA’s mission is to return citizens with the tools, support, and community connections needed to rebuild their lives with dignity, integrity, and responsibility. Program components include building self-worth, resilience, restoring relationships and community bonds, physical health, well-being, purpose and inner strength accomplished by teaching participants the importance of being kind, useful, responsible and having a good attitude. With hearts in the right place, miracles have happen.

Here are a few words of miracles from those who participated in NAFFA’s program inside the prison:

Native American Male/age 55: “After doing and completing, Native American Fatherhood and Families Association addressing Family Violence and abuse workbook and while I’ve never physically been violent to my family in this course, I have learned that I have been in some way abusive even though in my mind and or beliefs that I was not the times. I’ve learned that at times it was verbal and sometimes emotional by manipulating lies and half-truths thinking that’s its harmless, but it wasn’t. I have hurt the very people who swore that I love. The first few chapters I’ve learned to control what and how I say things I and how to communicate better in the most positive way.”

Native American Male/ age 25: “What have I benefited from this program? How family should be the sole care of life. Responsibility and love that goes into a family in order for a family to stay together and stay whole. Above all, how to be a father look and protect a family as a father. as a father I should always be there for my family. Staying sober, the number one thing and focus on being a great father. I am not a father, but I am learning from this class how to be a father in life. It’s a good feeling to have and I feel that this class is touching me in a way I didn’t expect.  I have a new insight of how to go about being a loving father and I appreciate all the things this class has done for me.”

Native American Male/age 40: “Since being in the program, it has opened my eyes to a lot of my behaviors and how my addictions have affected my character. I was told in the beginning of this class that NAFFA will reintroduce an old message back into our lives. Our ancestors’ main priority, as should be our priority too, is we need to put our family first. I now notice that I’ve weed astray in life due to addictions, wrong choices & negative behaviors coming face to face with the truth of my past & present actions wanted me to make changes to my way of life. Instead of negligence with my family, I need to put them first. Realize the happiness they bring into my life.”

Inmates from South Carolina prison participate in an equine program.

NAFFA’s Re-entry Program is not just about second chances but about restoring what was lost and building what can be. With courage, support and guidance, individuals are learning that they can not only return to society but also to family, responsibility and love.

For more information on how to get involved with NAFFA's Re-entry program please call 480-833-5007 or email info@aznaffa.org.