The reality for many formerly incarcerated citizens trying to reintegrate into the community is one limited by barriers to stable housing, employment and social services—problems that dovetail with and exacerbate each other. Local nonprofit Project 180 determined its greatest potential for turning lives around was through a comprehensive residential program, inspired by a San Francisco-based nonprofit that has been successfully reintegrating citizens for decades.

In 2018, the organization launched a pilot residential program to provide formerly incarcerated men up to two years of stable residency, food assistance, transportation, and financial assistance in restoring their driving privileges. Now just a year in practice, the program’s success has been noticed by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, and Project 180 has received a $230,000 grant to purchase the three-bedroom house for which the organization had been paying monthly rent. Part of the funding will go to establishing a maintenance endowment to ensure that future repairs can be made at no cost to the organization.

In the future, Project 180 hopes to open a business training school. Designed by and for formerly incarcerated individuals, the school has the potential to become an economic driver in the community.

Project 180