A local organization is providing women with the resources they need after incarceration, including structure and a place to live.
A Peaceful Habitation helped Estelle Ray transition back into society after stints in jail and prison. “Clothing, food boxes, well, actually living there, you know, they help you get food stamps, Medicaid,” Ray told KOB. “If you don’t have an ID, you’re going to have one.”
Leticia Chavez-Paulette founded the organization 18 years ago after going through her own periods of adversity.
| Unsplash/Harry Shelton
“I ended up doing some things, becoming addicted, and ended up incarcerated,” Chavez-Paulette told KOB. “You see these women coming back, and you’re wondering what is needed, what are they not getting?”
Ray’s troubles became serious in 2011 when she spent time in jail and lost custody of her daughter, who was in middle school at the time. Another family adopted her.
Nine years after graduating from the women’s transitional program, Ray said is life is on track and she has reconnected with her family.
“Everything’s not perfect, but I’m alive, I’m sober, I’m in a church,” Ray said. “I got my family.”
Chavez-Paulette understands how low things can get. “I feel like we beat ourselves down too much where we can’t move forward,” she said.
According to their website, the vision of A Peaceful Habitation is, "To love and mentor participants in Christian principles that will empower, encourage and enlighten women in transition from incarceration to their families and communities in New Mexico. Our Mission A Peaceful Habitation provides structured, supportive life skills workshops, i.e. parenting, financial planning, trauma healing, and other workshops. One-on-one mentoring and community partnerships to assist participants in their journeys back to family and community life. Teaching the Word of God and Christian morals and principles. Referrals and resources for our participants to comply with all their probation/ parole mandates."