Learn about the No Violence Alliance Program (NoVA)

In this page:
What is NoVA?

NoVA is a voluntary opportunity to change your life if you have served time in jail over the past five years for burglary or violent crime. If you have four new arrests in the last two years, we may also consider you for NoVA. 

To qualify you must show a desire to repair the past and change your mindset. You must want to change to become a more productive person.

With your NoVA intensive case manager, you set goals to take control of your life’s direction. You make an action plan and you meet your goals. 

Can I participate?

If you believe you qualify for NoVA and seek the type of structure and support to change your life, please write:

San Francisco Sheriff’s Office 
Community Programs Unit
70 Oak Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
ATTN: NoVA

Email: Sheriff@sfgov.org; subject: NoVA

How does it work?

The Sheriff’s Office manages more than 100 people who have voluntarily enrolled in NoVA. Services may include:  

  • Intensive case management with a dedicated case manager
  • Sober living housing
  • Employment skills training
  • Transportation support
  • Medical services
  • One-on-one therapy with a clinician
     

The path to recovery rarely follows a straight line. 

“Donald” volunteered to enroll in NoVA while he was in custody for a first conviction crime of violence. Donald’s NoVA case manager met him when he was released from jail and arranged for him to live in a single room with shared facilities. 
 
Unfortunately, Donald struggled with his sobriety and didn’t progress on his goals. His case manager moved him into a NoVA Sober Living home, which has strict rules around sobriety and house chores. Once there, Donald embraced the 12-step meetings and support groups. He also received therapy through a NoVA-funded program partner. 
 
Before Donald had gotten into trouble, he had been an engineering student in college. NoVA connected Donald with a program that helps formerly incarcerated people enroll at San Francisco State University (SFSU), which Donald did.
 
He has since become a leader in his transitional living home and serves as a mentor to new residents. Donald is on track to graduate from SFSU with a degree in electrical engineering and has accepted a job with an aerospace company. 
 

NOVA Photo