Project 180 Reentry

06/16/2026

🎙️ UNCUFFED CONVERSATIONS
Next Episode July 7! 🎉

Meet Jay J, a recent Project 180 graduate whose journey is a testament to what can happen when recovery comes first.

In this episode, Jay J shares the experiences that shaped him, from growing up around domestic violence and generational addiction to becoming the man he is today. He opens up about the pivotal moments that changed his direction and the priorities that guide his life now.

Today, Jay J is a father, a business owner, a man in recovery, and someone committed to showing up for the people who matter most.

Join us on July 7 as he shares his story of growth, responsibility, and building a life worth protecting.

🎧 Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of Uncuffed Conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/

🔔 New episodes premiere on the first Tuesday of every month!

06/15/2026

Last week, we celebrated an incredible milestone. Scottie is celebrating 4 years of sobriety! 🎉

We are so proud of the dedication, discipline, and commitment Scottie has shown in these first few weeks of his journey with us. Since arriving at Project 180, he has demonstrated a genuine desire to grow and a willingness to do the work necessary to build a better future, one day at a time.

Scottie shared this reminder that has helped guide his recovery:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Recovery takes courage, consistency, and faith. Congratulations, Scottie, on 4 years of sobriety. We are grateful to walk alongside you and excited to see all that lies ahead. Keep showing up and doing the next right thing. We’re proud of you!

06/13/2026

What does it really take to rebuild a life after incarceration?

Our Reentry Simulation gave community members the opportunity to experience just some of the barriers individuals face when returning to the community after incarceration. In a simulated environment, participants navigated challenges related to housing, employment, transportation, identification, recovery, and more.

For many, these obstacles are not a simulation. They are a daily reality. Project 180 exists to help break the cycle of recidivism that can occur when individuals are released with little or no support, by providing housing, recovery support, transportation assistance, workforce development, and connections to critical resources.

A special thank you to METV - Manatee Educational Television for creating this video and for the many ways they help us share our mission with the community. We are grateful for your partnership and support.

Watch the video and see why this work matters. 🧡

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZVbUIqzUX0

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/12/2026

🍝 Hungry and looking for lunch?

The Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency (FCCD) Chapter 14 is hosting a spaghetti plate fundraiser today and is set up at the North Sarasota Probation Office on 17th Street!

Stop by, grab a plate, and support an organization whose proceeds go right back into the community. 🤝 Thank you to FCCD Chapter 14 for all that you do!

06/12/2026

Last night, Project 180 residents and graduates had the privilege of attending the world premiere of Begin Again Badge by Cristela Carrizales, presented by Lifeline Productions.

The performance sparked meaningful conversations and resonated deeply with many in our group. After the show and discussion, our residents and graduates stayed behind to thank Cristela personally and share how much the story meant to them.

A heartfelt thank you to Cristela Carrizales for sharing such a powerful story, and to Will Luera and the entire Lifeline Productions team for bringing it to the stage. Will has become a valued friend of Project 180, generously making it possible for our residents and graduates to attend and continuing to invest his time and talents in the citizens we serve through his ongoing work with our program.

We are grateful for partners who believe in the power of storytelling, connection, and second chances.

06/11/2026

This week, we get to celebrate a huge milestone. Robert is celebrating 1 year of sobriety! 🎉

Over the last year, Robert has made incredible progress, one step at a time. Since coming to Project 180, he has reunited with his son and worked hard to be a consistent and present father. One of the most rewarding things to witness has been the relationship between Robert and his son continue to grow and blossom. Watching that bond strengthen over time has been a beautiful reminder of what recovery can make possible.

He has successfully regained his driver's license, maintained steady employment, and continues contributing to our community through his work and commitment.

Showing up for himself, his responsibilities, his recovery, and the people who matter most to him. Day by day, those choices have developed into the life Robert gets to live today.

We couldn't be prouder of everything he has accomplished this past year and the life he is building for himself and his family.

Way to go, Robert. One year is a big deal, and you deserve to be SO proud of yourself! We definitely are! Keep going. 💪

06/09/2026

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

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.

06/08/2026

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.

06/03/2026

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.