Amanda Layton is a passionate advocate for change, dedicated to promoting second chances and supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. Originally a nurse, Amanda encountered significant challenges that led her down a path of crime and eventual incarceration. After her release, she struggled with the absence of a solid reentry plan, which propelled her to seek a new direction within the recovery community in Asheville.

Before joining Operation Gateway, Amanda served as the general manager at MOD Pizza, a proud second-chance employer. In this role, she intentionally hired individuals directly from prison and those in recovery, creating a workplace culture that celebrated recovery and provided essential support for employees to thrive. This experience deepened her interest in reentry, recovery, and advocacy.

Now, as a North Carolina Peer Support Specialist and Community Health Worker, Amanda focuses on advocacy, collaboration, and education (ACE). She is particularly passionate about driving change at the state level, advocating within the North Carolina General Assembly to address critical issues such as ending the SNAP Ban, prohibiting harmful mugshot publications, and implementing comprehensive reentry reform. Amanda believes that offering someone a second chance is not only an opportunity for personal growth but also a crucial step toward building safer communities. Having experienced the transformative power of a second chance herself, she is committed to helping others find their paths to a brighter future.

In addition to her advocacy efforts, Amanda is currently completing her training to become a NC Peer Support Specialist Facilitator. This qualification will enhance her ability to empower individuals in recovery, providing them with the tools they need to become Certified Peer Support Specialists and successfully navigate their career journeys.

Amanda also assists individuals with essential services such as driver’s license restoration, judicial advocacy, fine relief, and various reentry support initiatives. Furthermore, she mentors others in her field, teaching them how to advocate for and provide similar services. Her unwavering dedication and determination to uplift those around her have established her as a respected figure in the recovery community. Amanda goes above and beyond to advocate for her peers, recognizing the profound impact that hard work can have on transforming lives. “ This isn’t my job; This is my calling!!!”