In the heart of Fort Worth, Texas’ Como neighborhood, where generations of African American families have written their stories into the city's history, one woman's journey from adversity to purpose has become a symbol of hope for hundreds. Dr. Sandra Stanley did not set out to build a nonprofit empire or become a community leader. Instead, her path began with personal struggles that would later become the foundation for transforming countless lives.
At Opening Doors for Women in Need, the organization she founded over two decades ago, Sandra has created more than just a reentry program for women leaving incarceration – she's built a model for genuine transformation that challenges conventional approaches to rehabilitation.
With four homes, a 3% recidivism rate, and over eight-hundred lives touched, her work demonstrates how faith, dignity, and practical support can break cycles of imprisonment that extend far beyond prison walls.
A Foundation Built on Personal Experience
Sandra’s journey began as a young single mother at 18, but she chose to face the judgment that often comes with an unplanned pregnancy head-on. Rather than letting her fears for the future define her, she used them as fuel for transformation.
She decided to pursue her education at Tarrant County College with unwavering determination. Her mantra became:
"I'm going to be the best. This pregnancy is not going to stop me, and I am not going to be on welfare."
This resilience led her to become a certified respiratory therapist, enabling her to support her family while continuing her education.
Her mother's support and gift of a home in their Como neighborhood, though initially challenging, became the foundation for future success. Her experience taught her valuable lessons about property management and financial stewardship, skills that would later prove crucial in her nonprofit work.
"I was a good steward and saved my money so I could invest and buy other little houses in the neighborhood."
Her Call to Serve in Reentry
Sandra’s transformation from a healthcare professional to a community leader came in her forties through what she describes as a ‘double whammy’ - reading Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and listening to a sermon called ‘Stirring Up Your Gifts’ while visiting a church in Dallas, Texas, for the first time and quickly becoming a member. This spiritual awakening forced her to confront her focus on personal success above and at the expense of community service.
Her entry into The Potters House prison ministry at the Federal Medical Center at Carswell in Fort Worth opened her eyes to a critical service gap. She recalls,
"The ladies kept saying, ‘I do not know where I am going when I get out - I am writing letters to find resources but nobody's writing back'"
This recurring cry for help became the catalyst for Opening Doors for Women in Need.
Building Success Through Understanding
Sandra’s approach to reentry services is distinguished by its emphasis on dignity and practical support. She transformed a small house in her Como neighborhood into a haven for women returning from incarceration, but not before doing extensive homework.
"I set that house aside for about a year because I didn't know what I was doing and wanted to be educated."
She pursued chaplain training and Christian counseling certification, mentored, and learned from existing service providers.
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Her leadership style is characterized by an unwavering commitment to her organization's mission and values. Over the years, she has faced numerous opportunities to compromise for funding but has consistently chosen integrity over expediency. "I don't get excited about money because my provision always comes from God," she explains.
Her program's evolution has been organic, responding directly to participants' needs. She shares.
"Every program I have developed came from a specific need - one of the ladies saying they needed something."
This responsive approach led to the creation of multiple services, including a clothes ministry, computer classes, a food pantry, spiritual and sobriety support, and job placements.
She is proud to offer a program that maintains high expectations while providing comprehensive support. She emphasizes
"We are self-sufficient. We teach you how to live on your own, but you must be able to work here."
Women must be actively engaged in job searching, working, attending meetings, or keeping appointments during the day.
She emphasizes the importance of providing sustainable, community-based solutions that maintain dignity and promote self-sufficiency. This approach extends to how the organization treats its residents. Unlike other facilities that provide bunk beds to their guests, Sandra insists on providing dignified living spaces.
"What grown-up wants to get up on a bunk bed? That just reminds them of where they came from. They don't want that."
The Impact of Understanding Systems
Her work has given her unique insight into the criminal justice system and its disparities. She shares her observations about the differences in how various groups experience the system: "If you have money, you don't go to prison." She partners with local law enforcement to educate new officers about the long-term impact of their actions, particularly regarding arrest records and their effect on future employment opportunities.
Her organization has achieved remarkable success, with a recidivism rate of just 3%. She is proud of the graduates who have gone on to significant achievements, including one who received a full scholarship to pursue a master's degree in social work at Texas Christian University with a 4.0 GPA.
Looking to the Future
As Como faces the winds of change through growing development and gentrification, Dr. Sandra Stanley stands as a bridge between its rich history and a promising future. Her work goes beyond the immediate impact of helping women rebuild their lives – it is about preserving the soul of a community while embracing positive change!
"We're not fighting the change. It's a good change, but we want to make sure our history is honored and remembered."
Today, in her late sixties, she holds a new honorary doctorate and a recently published book, To Be Driven By Faith, prepared to expand her vision while ensuring its sustainability for future generations. She has carefully built a team that shares her passion and values, understanding that true leadership means planning for the work to continue long after you are gone.
"A good leader puts those in place. You don't wait until you get ill or pass away and then it's gone. I want the legacy to live on."
Through Stanley Nonprofit Consulting, she now guides other nonprofit leaders, sharing hard-won wisdom about the importance of authentic service over financial gain. Her story serves as an important reminder that it is never too late to answer your true calling, that second chances can lead to extraordinary outcomes, and that one person's dedication to serving others with integrity can transform and touch entire communities.
For those trying to make a difference in their communities, she shares these insights: start with genuine compassion, do the necessary homework, maintain unwavering integrity, and always remember that true service is about dignity, not just delivery. As her neighborhood continues to evolve and new challenges emerge, Dr. Sandra Stanley's legacy reminds us that the most powerful change comes not from buildings or programs but from hearts dedicated to serving others with respect, understanding, and unconditional love.
More Resources
Look at these organizations and resources Dr. Stanley mentioned:
Opening Doors for Women in Need is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by Dr. Sandra Stanley to help women transition from incarceration back into society. The organization provides transitional housing, job readiness training, and support services to reduce recidivism rates among women in Texas
Stanley Nonprofit Consulting is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Worth, Texas, focused on providing support services to new or struggling nonprofits.
To Be Driven By Faith: How To Align With God's Purpose: A Christian Guide To Leadership, Purpose, And Impact by Dr. Sandra Reyna Stanley is a nonfiction roadmap to unlock the potential within you, combining faith with actionable steps to lead, serve, and thrive.
