Our Mission

To provide services to Alabama’s incarcerated women with an emphasis on enhancing personal growth and strengthening the bonds between inmate mothers and their children.

Our Vision

AIM envisions a criminal justice system that recognizes the needs and rights of children affected by parental incarceration and supports women impacted by incarceration in rebuilding their lives.

We believe in a future where families impacted by incarceration are treated with dignity, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women are given opportunities to successfully reenter their communities, and children are supported emotionally, socially, and developmentally throughout a parent’s incarceration.

Our History

Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM), Inc. was founded in 1987 through a collaborative effort led by Church Women United, the Alabama Prison Project, the Alabama Department of Corrections, and a group of dedicated volunteers who recognized a critical gap: many incarcerated mothers were unable to see their children due to barriers faced by families and caregivers. Among these early leaders was Nancy Chambless, whose commitment to volunteer service and advocacy for children helped shape AIM’s mission and long-standing impact.

In 1990, AIM separated from the Alabama Prison Project and began operating independently, later incorporating as an independent nonprofit organization in 1996. From the beginning, monthly visitation has been a cornerstone of our work, as maintaining contact between mothers and children plays a vital role in children’s emotional well-being and family stability.

Over the years, AIM has expanded its services to respond to the evolving needs of families affected by incarceration. While family preservation remains central to our mission, AIM now provides services to all incarcerated women, not only mothers. Our programs include monthly visitation support, the Storybook Program, parenting and life skills education, and reentry preparation. In addition, AIM provides case management support to guardians caring for children of incarcerated mothers, as well as case management and aftercare services for women returning to the community after incarceration. AIM also assists families with back-to-school supplies, holiday and birthday support, and family outreach services.

AIM currently serves families connected to Tutwiler Prison for Women, Tutwiler Annex, Birmingham Work Release, and the Montgomery Women’s Facility.

In 2011, AIM launched a long-held vision to further support women transitioning from incarceration by establishing a transitional home. In 2013, AIM became the proud owner of 660 Morgan Avenue in Montgomery, which now serves as our administrative offices and a central hub for reentry-focused support services.

For more than three decades, Aid to Inmate Mothers has remained committed to strengthening families, supporting successful reentry, and reducing the long-term impact of incarceration on women and children across Alabama. Nancy Chambless’s legacy continues to be honored through the Nancy Chambless Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify outstanding service and dedication to AIM’s mission.