Courtesy photo
By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — In a groundbreaking effort to support women reentering society after incarceration, the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Education program has announced the official grand opening of its third Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality house, which will take place at 10 a.m. on March 19, 2025, at 3531 11th Ave.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature tours and remarks from Turning Point Executive Director Michelle Perkins, Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life, elected officials, community leaders, residents of the new home, and special guests. Attendees will learn about Turning Point’s services, including counseling and support programs to help women rebuild their lives.
The new home will welcome four women who are returning to the Los Angeles community following their incarceration.
To date, Turning Point has housed nearly 100 women in Los Angeles County.
One is LeAnne Denise Johnson, 33, originally from Hamilton, Mississippi.
Johnson, a mother of four girls ages 13, 11, 10 and 7, who was previously imprisoned in Oklahoma for four years, with 18 months spent in county jail and 18 months in Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Oklahoma, has been a resident of a Turning Point home since last September.
“Life at the Turning Point SAFE house is OK for me because I mind my own business and worry about LeAnne,” said Johnson, who has advice for women entering the house and for Turning Point management. “I would say improve the program with even more empathy and communication. It will make the program stronger for women.
“It needs to be more empowering, and more open-mindedness needs to be practiced. Thoughts should be projected. My advice for women entering the house is to come mentally prepared for any challenges you will face. This is your life.”
Johnson, 33, said she appreciates the opportunity Turning Point has afforded her.
“The Turning Point employment program gave me a good standpoint on making a good resume,” said Johnson, who graduated from ICC Community College in Tupelo, Miss. “I came here because I needed a place to stay. If you’re unfamiliar with communicating and respecting others and decide not to navigate the environment, you’ll have a hard time.
“This is a chance to get yourself together. This is a make-or-break situation. The women here all get along. It’s a great environment.”
Johnson has no plans to be incarcerated again but has big plans for her future.
“I’m thankful to be able to see another day and start over and do it better the next day,” she said. “I want something in my name other than Instagram and Facebook.”
Vianca Orozco, 35, is originally from Sacramento but has been in Los Angeles since she was 16. She, too, calls a Turning Point house her home.
After graduating “top of my class,” Orozco said she couldn’t decide what she wanted to do with her life.
“A year after graduating, I went to Jobcorp and became a [certified nursing assistant],” she said. “I wanted to be a neonatal nurse. “
Things took a turn for the worse, Orozco said, when she fell in with the wrong crowd.
“I got in trouble with the law and had my first felony DUI when I was 21 or 22,” she said. “Then things began to spiral. I got mixed up with drugs.”
After she was able to secure a job, Orozco, who has been arrested 13 times, said she got laid off after they asked her for a random drug test.
“I couldn’t pass it,” said Orozco, who has eight felony convictions. “After that, I didn’t have a legit job for long. I started getting in trouble and engaging in fraud. The money attracted me. It was hard to stop. How do I stop and then get a job making minimum wage?”
Six of Orozco’s convictions are from grand theft auto and falsifying checks.
“I was driving without the owner’s permission,” she said. “I was also guilty of possession of fictitious currency.”
Orozco explained her case.
“I was renting U-Hauls with other people’s credit cards,” she said. “I was living in the U-Hauls because I was homeless. I did that for years.
Asked what that means, Orozco replied, “I made checks with other people’s accounts. I made them look legit. My mom used to do it. I watched her. When I lost my job, I remembered what my mom did.”
Orozco spent four months in Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, a place she calls “hell.”
“I spent time there, but I’ve never been in prison, thank God,” she said.
Orozco has lived in a Turning Point SAFE house since December.
“This last time I was in jail, I decided I was going to rehab to get myself together,” Orozco said. “At one point, I met [Michelle Perkins], who gave me her card. Days later, I was in a home. This is better than some other programs I’ve been in.”
Orozco said she has gotten into a routine. She wakes at 8 a.m., meditates, eats breakfast, does some chores, and attends required appointments.
“After a few weeks, I took security guard classes at Turning Point for a construction apprenticeship,” said Orozco, who now has a car and in five years hopes to have a house. “I love it. I’m excited about it. After 11 weeks, I can join unions and start making real money.
“Before I got arrested, I didn’t think I could have a career. Look at me now. Turning Point has allowed me to focus on myself and do what I do,: Orozco added.
“This is an amazing opportunity. I’m accomplishing a lot. When I think about it, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without a safe place to live. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. It’s a blessing.”
Orozco’s advice to others is, “Not to give up. Everyday is a challenge. Everything in life worth having is worth fighting for. Not everyday will be beautiful. Life isn’t easy. Give yourself a shot.”
Considered a beacon of hope, Turning Point SAFE homes provide a secure and nurturing environment for women to rebuild their lives, free from the cycles of all forms of violence and trauma. Home residents are offered employment services, mental health support, case management and linkage to permanent housing.
“We believe every woman deserves a second chance,” said Michelle Perkins, Turning Point founder and executive director. “Our safe house is more than just a roof over their heads; it’s a haven where they can heal, grow, and rediscover their purpose.”
Turning Point SAFE Home is a member of A New Way of Life’s SAFE Housing Network, an international collective of 30-plus organizations that offer reentry services to formerly incarcerated people.
“Empowering women to reintegrate into their communities is pivotal for breaking the cycle of recidivism,” said Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life.
The SAFE house offers a comprehensive range of services and residents have the opportunity to participate in workshops and programs focused on self-care, mindfulness, and personal growth.
The safe house is designed to address the complex needs of women who have experienced incarceration, trauma and marginalization.
Statistics show that 2.5 million women are released from jails and prisons facing countless barriers to reentry and that they are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population, with many struggling to find stable housing and employment upon release.
Turning Point aims to bridge this gap by providing a safe environment fostering resilience, self-sufficiency, and community reintegration.
“We’re not just providing a place to stay; we’re offering a chance for women to reclaim their lives and become leaders in their own right,” Perkins said. “Our goal is to empower these women to break free from the past and forge a brighter future.”
The Turning Point SAFE home will be financially supported by donations made through Turning Point’s Empowering Lives and Inspiring Change Luncheon April 27.
Turning Point is dedicated to supporting the needs of men, women, and transitional-aged youth who have been marginalized by addiction, trauma, homelessness, and incarceration.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
