Built From Lived Experiences

Creating a Home for Sisters Returning Home

Sisters by Love provides safe, supportive, faith-filled housing for women returning home from incarceration. Through dignity, structure, and sisterhood, we help women rebuild their lives and step into lasting freedom.

About Us

Group

Welcome to Sisters by Love

Sisters by Love is a woman-centered reentry and healing home rooted in love, dignity, and restoration. We believe every woman deserves a safe place to heal, rebuild, and grow — especially after returning home from incarceration.

Our home is built on sisterhood, accountability, and support. While we do not directly provide every service a woman may need, we partner with trusted organizations to ensure each resident has access to the resources that help her succeed.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide safe housing and supportive community for women returning home from incarceration — creating pathways to stability, healing, and long-term success.

We believe in restoration, second chances, and creating a home environment where women are supported, seen, and empowered to build a new life.

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Vision

A world where every woman returning home is met with safety, dignity, and opportunity.

Values

Dignity • Healing • Accountability • Community • Second Chances

LEADERSHIP

Founder & President, Sisters by Love

Shimere Love-Shanklin is the Founder and President of Sisters by Love. With lived experience and a deep commitment to restoration, dignity, and second chances, Shimere leads the organization with compassion, accountability, and vision. Her leadership is rooted in faith, community, and the belief that women returning home from incarceration deserve safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides oversight, accountability, and strategic guidance to ensure Sisters by Love operates with integrity, transparency, and alignment with our mission.

Shimere Love-Shanklin

Founder & President

Loretta Branch

Treasurer

Lorraine Weathers

Secretary

Our Programs

Sisters by Love is a woman-centered reentry and healing home rooted in love, dignity, and restoration. Our programs are designed to provide stability, structure, and community for women returning home from incarceration.

We focus on what we do best — creating safe housing and supportive sisterhood — while partnering with trusted organizations for specialized services that strengthen long-term success.

What We Provide

 

Safe Housing

A peaceful, supportive living environment where women can stabilize, heal, and rebuild.

Coordinated Wraparound Support (Through Partnerships)

We connect residents to trusted partners for employment, education, counseling, legal referrals, and reentry support.

Sisterhood & Community

A home built on dignity, accountability, encouragement, and belonging — because no one heals alone.

Clarification Language

 

  • Sisters by Love directly provides safe housing and supportive community living

  • We do not directly provide clinical, legal, or workforce services

  • Instead we coordinate Coordinated Wraparound Support through partnerships

Housing Info

How The Housing Process Works

We keep the process simple and respectful:

Step 1: Submit the Housing Interest Form

This helps us understand basic needs and determine next steps.

Step 2: Intake Review

We review submissions based on availability, readiness, and program fit.

Step 3: Follow-Up Contact

If housing is not available, we may provide referrals to trusted community resources when possible.

Step 4: Next Steps & Referral Connections

If housing is not available, we may provide referrals to trusted community resources when possible.

Completing the Housing Interest Form does not guarantee housing placement.

Note : Sisters by Love does not accept full housing applications through the website. 

Housing Interest Form

We do not accept full housing applications through the website.

**Please note we do NOT accept full housing applications through the website.

What We Stand For

Values

  • Dignity: Every woman deserves respect and a real chance to rebuild.

  • Restoration: We believe healing is possible, and the past does not have to define the future.

  • Structure: Stability creates room for growth, healing, and success.

  • Sisterhood: We build community, not just housing.

  • Faith & Love: Our foundation is compassion, grace, and purposeful living.

Group Press Cameras Community

In COmmunity

Our Partners

Our PRograms At Work

Partners & Collaborators

Sisters by Love works in collaboration with trusted organizations, networks, and community partners who share our commitment to dignity, restoration, and second chances for women returning home from incarceration.

These partnerships strengthen our ability to provide safe housing and connect residents to community-based resources that support long-term success.

Proud Member of the SAFE Housing Network

Our Partners
SAFE Housing Network
SAFE Housing Network
Citied Foundation

Our Impact

Media & Press 

Press & Media Coverage

Sisters by Love has been recognized for community leadership and impact.

As Featured In:

Good Neighbor Award from State Representative Dave Vella
Civil Death

Rock River Current

Rock RIver Current

MyStateline

StateLine Recognizes Sisters by Love

WIFR 23 News

First of It's Kind!

Reentry Home In Rockford | First Of Its Kind

Make An Impact

Get Involved

Donate

Donations help us provide stable housing and supportive resources for women rebuilding their lives. Your support helps cover basic household needs, program supplies, and emergency resident needs

 

Donate

Donate

 

Amazon Wish List

Thank You!

 

Contact Us

Contact Us Now

 

Volunteer With Sisters by Love

We welcome volunteers who want to support women returning home by helping create a safe and welcoming environment.

Volunteer opportunities may include:

  • Organizing donations and supplies

     

  • Event support

     

  • Community outreach

     

  • Supportive mentorship opportunities (as available)

Housing Interest Form

This form helps us learn more about your housing needs and determine next steps.

Who should fill this out?

This form can be completed by:

  • The individual seeking housing 
  • A trusted family member 
  • A case manager or advocate 
  • A reentry support provider 

If the person seeking housing is currently incarcerated, someone may complete the form on their behalf.

Eligibility + Requirements

  • Women returning home from  incarceration
  • Must be ready for structured living
  • Must agree to house guidelines

Coordinated Wraparound Support (Through Partnerships)

We believe no single organization can meet every need. Instead of duplicating services, Sisters by Love partners with experienced community organizations that specialize in areas such as employment support, counseling, education, legal referrals, and reentry services.

Our role is to connect and support.

We serve as a bridge between residents and the resources that help women grow in stability and independence — while remaining grounded in stable housing and community.

Support

Sisterhood & Community

What This Means at Sisters by Love

Sisterhood and community are central to everything we do. Residents are part of a supportive environment that emphasizes belonging, personal responsibility, and mutual respect.

How It Works

Through shared living, accountability, and encouragement, women are supported as they work toward their personal goals. This community-based approach fosters healing, growth, and confidence.

Faith & Values

Our work is rooted in faith and guided by love, compassion, and restoration while remaining inclusive and respectful of each woman’s journey.

Get Some Answers Here...

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Do you accept full housing applications online?

No. We only accept Housing Interest Forms through the website.

How do I apply for housing?

Start by completing our Housing Interest Form. If we have availability and it’s a potential fit, we will contact you about next steps.

Can someone fill out the form for me if I’m incarcerated?

Yes. A trusted family member, advocate, or case manager may complete the form on your behalf.

Is housing guaranteed after completing the interest form?

No. Submitting the interest form does not guarantee placement.

Do you provide employment, counseling, or legal services?

Sisters by Love does not directly provide those services. We partner with trusted community organizations who specialize in those areas.

Where are you located?

We are based in Rockford, Illinois. For safety and privacy reasons, we do not list the physical home address publicly.

How can I support Sisters by Love?

You can support us by volunteering, donating, and partnering with us. Please use the Contact form to connect.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in Sisters by Love. Use the form(s) below to contact us regarding housing referrals or questions, partnerships, volunteering, donations, or media requests.

We respond as quickly as possible.

Please note: submitting the housing interest form does not guarantee housing placement.

CONTACT INFO

Shimere Love-Shanklin

Founder & President, Sisters by Love

📧 sloveshanklin@sistersbylove.org

📬 P.O. Box 243, Rockford, IL 61105

🌐 Sistersbylove.org

Contact Us