TENDER TOUCH, INC.is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization offering an array of educational programs and services to drug-free ex-incarnated women and teenage girls who have been or are being released from prisons or juvenile facilities, and who desire to live a drug-free lifestyle.
At TENDER TOUCH no one is turned away; those who choose to remain in the substance abuse lifestyle are accepted then referred to a partnering agency, and are free to return to TENDER TOUCH upon their successful completion of a sobriety program. TENDER TOUCH offers ex-offender women job readiness and janitorial services training to assist in a successful and productive reintegration to society.
Denise Jones is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tender Touch Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and young girls to heal, rebuild, and reclaim their lives. Her leadership is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience, allowing her to serve with authenticity, compassion, and purpose.
In 1997, Denise founded Turbine Janitorial Cleaning Company (TJCC), an Illinois-based industrial construction and maintenance firm that provided comprehensive cleaning services to private businesses and government agencies. Under her leadership, TJCC grew into a full-service operation with 25 full-time employees. Denise oversaw all phases of the company’s operations, including client relations, long-term maintenance planning, marketing, and strategic development.
Through her personal journey of overcoming substance abuse and incarceration, Denise developed a deep passion for helping formerly incarcerated women and at-risk girls rebuild their lives. This calling led her in 2004 to establish Tender Touch Inc., a faith-based empowerment organization committed to restoring dignity, purpose, and opportunity. Her mission is to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential, regardless of race, background, or religious belief.
Denise holds a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Human Services Administration from Spertus College. She is also the author of Who Said It Could Be Done?, a powerful autobiography published in 2010, and is currently working on her second book, The Prison Within Me: Break Free.
Expanding her impact through the arts, Denise is the creator and Executive Producer of the stage play Beyond The Door (BTD), a transformative theatrical work based on true stories of addiction, trauma, and redemption. The play is used as a powerful educational and healing tool in churches, community spaces, and correctional institutions, furthering Tender Touch’s mission of restoration and second chances.
An ordained minister, life coach, and motivational speaker, Denise has spent more than 20 years serving adults, families, and youth through workshops, lectures, and ministry. She has spoken at churches, schools, government agencies, and correctional facilities throughout Chicago, Wisconsin, and Ohio, sharing a message of hope, healing, and transformation. Her life’s work is centered on helping others break free from the “prison within” and step into a future of purpose and possibility.
The mission of Tender Touch is to assist women and young girls impacted by the penal system with successfully re-entering the workforce, rejoining their families, and their communities.
Our vision to raise awareness of the concerns and challenges facing formerly incarcerated women and teenage girls. It is the most effective solution for reducing recidivism, empowering our women to make sustainable personal changes that positively impact society.
Our Goal to Change One Life, At Time...
Illinois, USA 60438