Avon Curtis, Executive Director
When single mother Avon Curtis founded Arms Around You (AAY), establishing a reentry resource program for individuals facing an array of personal obstacles post-incarceration was a personal undertaking. During her 25 years living in the Bay Area, Avon experienced addiction, incarceration,and homelessness. Against painstaking odds, Avon established a strong support system that helped her emerge from the penal system and the homeless population. Upon returning to her hometown of Seattle, the disregard and lack of support for incarcerated and homeless individuals, women in particular, was palpable. Avon witnessed people battling drug addiction, mental health issues, and domestic violence as they were released into an abyss of uncertainty with little direction or ability to reintegrate into an unforgiving society.
A long-time advocate of the rights of incarcerated individuals, Avon founded AAY to assist people
reentering into society from corrections and homelessness. With many years experience in the fields of project and case management, the Seattle native has firsthand knowledge of the obstacles individuals with criminal records face with reintegration into society, including issues related to employment, education, housing, family reunification, and eligibility for social service benefits. A Certified Manager of Housing through the National Center for Housing Management, Avon has over 20 years of experience in the field of Residential Management and Case Management. Avon is passionate about AAY and working with individuals to find a supportive community and success after incarceration.