About 12 Hands For Freedom Advocacy Inc
Learn about our mission, values, and the community dedicated to transforming young lives.
Our Mission
To help inner-city youth who are at risk or already involved in the Criminal Justice system with comprehensive life skills, social skills, vocational training, and housing. We institute Biblical principles of manhood and spiritual development, with everyday life patterned after the 1st-century church and the Greek word koinonia.
Our Vision
To see every at-risk youth transformed into a productive, purpose-driven member of society - equipped with skills, values, and hope for a brighter future. We envision communities where young people are empowered to break cycles of incarceration and build legacies of positive impact.
Our Biblical Foundation
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
— Matthew 5:14-16
This scripture guides everything we do. We believe every young person can be a light in their community. While there is no prerequisite of being a Christian to enter our program, we are transparent about the values that guide our work and the source of our hope.
Life in Community
Koinonia (κοινωνία) is a Greek word meaning fellowship, communion, and shared life. In the 1st-century church, believers lived in deep community - sharing resources, supporting one another, and growing together.
At 12 Hands For Freedom Advocacy Inc, we pattern our programs after this model. Our participants don't just receive services - they become part of a family. They learn accountability through relationships, develop character through community, and find belonging in fellowship.
This approach creates transformation that programs alone cannot achieve. When young people experience genuine love and acceptance within a supportive community, lasting change becomes possible.
Our Core Values
These values guide every decision we make and every interaction we have.
Compassion
We approach each individual with unconditional love and genuine care.
Integrity
We operate with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all we do.
Community
We believe in the power of koinonia - fellowship and mutual support.
Excellence
We strive to provide the highest quality programs and services.
Hope
We see potential in every young person and believe in transformation.
Growth
We are committed to continuous learning and development.
Meet Our Founder
A life transformed by faith, now dedicated to transforming the lives of others.
Woodson Davenport
Founder & President
Key Credentials
Woodson Davenport is a man whose life defines the power of redemption and the limitless potential of a second chance. As the Founder and President of 12 Hands for Freedom Advocacy Inc, Woodson has turned a personal history of incarceration into a divine calling, building a bridge of hope for at-risk and justice-involved individuals across the NYC tri-state and Atlanta metro areas.
Woodson's journey is a testament to the belief that our past does not dictate our future, but rather prepares us for our purpose. While he spent twenty years behind bars, he reflects on that time with the profound realization that it was the love of God and the faithful prayers of those who loved him that kept him preserved and protected through those two decades of confinement. It was not until after his release that he truly found Christ and committed his life to Him — a transformation that turned his hard-won resilience into a mission of service.
A powerhouse of technical expertise and professional discipline, Woodson anchored his post-release life in his devout Christian faith and a remarkable 20-year career in Facilities Management and Operations. Serving the most vulnerable — homeless adults and families with children — Woodson didn't just manage buildings; he created safe havens for those in the midst of their own storms. He is a Certified Facility Manager (CFM), a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), and a Certified Christian Coach, a credential that allows him to integrate biblical principles with practical mentorship to foster spiritual and professional growth in others.
Having walked the very path of those he now seeks to help, Woodson brings a rare, authentic empathy to the leadership of 12 Hands for Freedom Advocacy Inc. He understands that true rehabilitation requires more than just resources — it requires a renewal of the spirit, professional rigor, and a community that believes in the possibility of change. Driven by the grace he has received and a mission to break the chains of recidivism, Woodson is dedicated to empowering others to rise above their circumstances, proving every day that with faith, hard work, and a helping hand, any life can be rebuilt into something extraordinary.
“Our past does not dictate our future, but rather prepares us for our purpose.”
— Woodson Davenport