New Friends New Life is a non-profit organization built around helping women who want to transform their lives and strive for a better tomorrow.

One woman has spent the last five years serving as the program director and is committed to going above and beyond her jobs description.

Lalla Shackelford says she enjoys her job because of the impact she has on women’s lives.

Growing up in a small town, she had the desire to help and serve others with their careers.

“There is really something valuable about being around people,” Shackelford said.

Working for New Friends New Life, she comes in contact with women of all ages, from different backgrounds and in need of different types and forms of help.

Not focused on herself, she strives to help others. She believes “we have a responsibility as Christians to help those who can’t help themselves, and though I am not the savior, I must represent him in all the work that I do.”

Each day as Shackelford and her colleagues enter the center they never know what types of girls will show up, but to them everyone deserves a chance for a better life.

She teaches the women the value of simplicity and has solitude and comfort in the fact that “God knows our needs.”

Material things do not define her and as long as her 2000 Toyota Avalon continues to allow her to do Gods work she sees no reason in exchanging it just to fulfill an ego.

With NFNL, Shackelford serves as a role model to the women she serves. She lives to be a voice to these silent women. Shackelford along with the entire organization represent the under represented population in society that desire to serve God by serving others regardless of color, orientation, occupation and age.

NFNL is a faith based organization that provides hope and change to a community of women who often have found no outlet or support.