Project 180 Reentry

We're grateful to Sarasota Magazine and journalist Kendall Southworth for highlighting Project 180's Reentry Simulation.

The article explores how community leaders stepped into the shoes of individuals returning home from incarceration, navigating real-world barriers like housing, employment, transportation, and supervision requirements. The experience sparked meaningful conversations about how we can better support successful reentry and stronger communities.

Read the full article:
https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2026/06/life-after-lockup-simulation-project-180

📖 Written by Kendall Southworth
Published by Sarasota Magazine

Community Leaders Experience Life After Lockup Simulation A Sarasota nonprofit's immersive simulation compresses the first chaotic weeks after prison release into a single hour, revealing the obstacles many formerly incarcerated people face as they rebuild their lives.

Thank you to the Florida Department of Corrections, Sarasota South County Probation, and Twelfth Judicial Circuit Employment Specialist Diane Gray for facilitating last Friday's Busy Bee Job Fair.

Events like these create meaningful opportunities by connecting job seekers with employers and resources that can help them move forward. Employment is one of the most important factors in successful reentry and long-term stability, and we are grateful for partners who continue investing in second chances and workforce development.

We appreciate everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. Together, we are building stronger pathways to employment, self-sufficiency, and lasting change.

The conversations sparked during our Reentry Simulation didn't end when the event was over.

As part of our continued commitment to addressing barriers to successful reentry, we are excited to be hosting Fellows from Notre Dame's Institute for Social Concerns this summer. They are helping coordinate the next phase of this work through two community-focused work groups:

🏠 Housing Work Group

💼 Employment Work Group

These groups will bring together community members, service providers, employers, housing professionals, and others who want to be part of creating practical solutions that support successful reintegration.

If you attended the Reentry Simulation and expressed interest, our Fellows will be reaching out soon with upcoming meeting details. If you were unable to attend the simulation but would still like to participate, we would love to have you involved.

Please email:
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

The goal of these work groups is simple: take what we learned during the simulation and turn those conversations into action that creates more opportunities for successful reentry in our community.

📸 Photo credit and thank you to@sidekickcr8 for capturing beautiful photos of the event and generously donating her time and talent to help tell this story.

🎥 A special thank you to for generously donating their time and production services to capture the Reentry Simulation. We look forward to sharing footage and highlights from the event soon.

🎙️ Uncuffed Conversations | Episode 3 | Building a Better Future with Ricky

In this episode, Ricky chose to share his story with honesty and vulnerability.

He speaks openly about addiction, arrests, accountability, and the impact his choices had on both his own life and the people who cared about him. Together, Ricky, Seth, and Yogi create a space for conversations many people are afraid to have. A space where we can acknowledge where we've come from while recognizing that our past does not define who we are today.

Recovery is more than abstinence. It is the decision to become someone different. When we make that choice, guilt and shame should no longer hold power over us.

We couldn't be prouder of Ricky for sharing his experience and for the future he continues to build. 🌟

🎧 ▶️ Watch now on the Project 180 YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/8--spetHjoY?si=jsjXxj0py4-ccAZ0

🔔 Subscribe to the Project 180 YouTube Channel to never miss an episode of Uncuffed Conversations.

🎉 Celebrating Jeff and 4 Years of Recovery

Over the weekend, we got to celebrate Jeff and this major milestone! 🌟

"I am extremely grateful to Project 180 for providing me with the tools to succeed and for helping me to build the amazing support group I am lucky enough to have today." — Jeff

Over the years, Jeff has remained committed to growth, accountability, and giving back. As a Project 180 graduate, father, fiancé, and sponsor, he continues to invest in both his own recovery and the lives of others.

What stood out most during this celebration was the number of residents and graduates who came together to support him. The friendships and connections built through recovery continue long after graduation, and Jeff is a great example of the impact that community, support, and service can have.

Congratulations, Jeff. We are proud of all you have accomplished, the positive impact you continue to make, and all that lies ahead. 🎉👏

Recovery is not just about sobriety.

It is growth and change. It is rebuilding relationships with family. Being present in your child’s life again. Maintaining steady employment. Regaining independence. Creating stability where there once was chaos.

Robert is celebrating 11 months of sobriety along with milestones that represent so much hard work behind the scenes. 💪

We are proud of the life he is rebuilding and grateful to witness the progress happening one step at a time. 🌟