How the trauma-responsive services from 180 Degrees inspires resident success at Great River Landing
Written by Dylan Novacek – Content Specialist
“Great River Landing is a steppingstone for men who are exiting incarceration and homelessness. It’s a place where they can live, work, meet their goals, and find stability,” expressed Chaz Hooten, the Lead Case Manager at Great River Landing. “180 Degrees’ vision for the programing in the building is to create a clear, safe space for residents to be successful, find opportunities, and address their barriers while also creating community and connection.”
Focused on providing home for men who are exiting incarceration, or have otherwise been impacted by the criminal justice system, Beacon’s Great River Landing in Minneapolis serves an important role in the housing continuum. With 72-units of deeply affordable housing, the men who call this building home receive the supports they need to combat systemic barriers and find stability.
180 Degrees is a BIPOC led organization with 50-years of experience in serving individuals who are working to rebuild their lives after exiting incarceration. The organization brings their expertise as they walk alongside residents through their carefully designed onsite programming.
“We’re here to give these individuals the chance to be in a home that meets their needs,” added Layee Sanoe, Senior Manager. “There is so much working against people exiting prison and homelessness. Most of these men haven’t experienced a home like this before. Being here gives them access to public transportation, supportive services, and stable housing where they can work towards changing their lives.”
Located in Minneapolis’ North Loop, the men who call this building home experience amenities like 24-hour security, beautiful community spaces, a fitness room, and office spaces to bring in external service partners. With the building’s well designed and thoughtfully crafted amenities, along with 180 Degrees’ years of program experience, the resident experience is elevated.
About 180 Degrees
Since being announced as the service provider for Great River Landing in March of 2023, the organization has been building the vision and foundation for services designed to meet the unique challenges and needs of this population. The organization is mission focused to build residents up toward stability.
“Our mission is to create safe spaces and services that honor each individual on their healing journey,” Layee continued. “180 Degrees’ vision is that every person can experience hope for the future and reach their full potential. Working with Beacon helps us in achieving our shared goals as we provide long-term, non-time limited housing for the people we serve. We’re here to help keep residents away from the revolving doors of the criminal justice system by creating stability and opportunity for everyone.”
Click here to learn more about 180 Degrees.
“These men are trying to build their future in an environment that can often work against them,” Chaz added. “Our work with residents aims to build their confidence and change their state of mind.”
The Need for Great River Landing
As an organization, 180 Degrees knows firsthand how important a building like Great River Landing is in the housing continuum. Chaz and Layee have seen individuals come through 180 Degrees’ programs multiple times. According to the NAACP, approximately 650,000 Americans return to their communities from prison each year. About half of them will return to prison within a few years.
“This happens in part because there is no stable, long-term housing for them to move on to,” Layee explained. “Great River Landing provides these men the exact kind of housing they need. Residents can stay for as long as they need and have a case manager to keep them on track. This kind of model helps break the cycle of incarceration to homelessness that many of these men face.”
Roadblocks to establishing stability after exiting incarceration disproportionately impacts BIPOC individuals, which is a majority of the residents at Great River Landing. People of color exiting incarceration have higher rates of returning to prison due to these roadblocks. According to the NAACP, while African Americans and Hispanics make up just 32% of the U.S. population, they make up 56% of those who are incarcerated in the U.S.
Studies show that the negative effects imprisonment has on individuals and highly incarcerated communities can be mitigated through stable housing and supportive services. The work 180 Degrees is doing with the residents of Great River Landing is essential to combatting systemic roadblocks and helping residents grow the stability they desire.
Serving Residents
“We provide care and resources to the men of Great River Landing through a person-centered and holistic approach. This model considers the unique needs and circumstances of each individual we work with,” Layee said. “It takes empathy and respect, collaboration, trauma-informed care, goal setting, and more to meet the needs of each resident.”
“My goal as a Case Manager is to get these men equipped with the tools they need so they might not need me one day. My approach is all about having that one-to-one, client centered space where we can get their needs met,” Chaz added. “As we build up our relationships with residents, I can get them connected to external resources from community partners.”
The services and programs 180 Degrees bring to the building are based upon the organization’s 50-year history of working with incarcerated men at the agency’s Clifton Place residence, launched in 1973. Their full continuum of services addresses the social, emotional, and practical needs of men newly released from prison after years in the criminal justice system. The program they bring to Great River Landing builds on the organization’s decades of experience and knowledge.
Being onsite at Great River Landing uniquely positions 180 Degrees to serve residents in new ways for the organization, such as the ability to bring in partners onsite. Some examples of the types of resources and connections offered to residents include mental health care, chemical dependency counseling, anger management resources, assistance in finding employment, help with self-advocacy, and more.
Case management services, rosters of experienced service providers, and an approach to build dignity and amplify strengths all contribute to a building where residents can thrive.
Building a Thriving, Successful Community
“A thriving community at Great River Landing is one with strong social connections, safety, and security,” Layee reflected. “It will take collaboration and supportive resources to build a safe and stable community here. This work is an ongoing process that requires a lot of dedication.”
The care and dedication 180 Degrees brings helps to inspire resident success. Together, case managers and residents cultivate a space where everyone is stable and has what they need to grow.
“I remember bringing a resident up to his room for the first time. He looked around in disbelief. He asked me if this was really going to be his room,” Layee smiled. “He cried tears of joy. He was thirty years old and never had a room to himself before. His home has given him dignity and empowerment. He felt valued, important, and respected.”
“A lot of the success stories I see here are still being written. I see a lot of good things happening for each of the residents,” Chaz exclaimed. “This home gives residents an outside of the box perspective that eliminates the barriers that keep them from going back to prison. Great River Landing puts them in the driver’s seat where they can make their own decisions, take ownership of their success, and write their own stories.”
Success looks different for each of the men at Great River Landing. For some it can be finding a job, for others it can be meeting the terms of their release, or even reconnecting with family for the first time. Whatever it might be, the staff from 180 Degrees is excited to support the needs of each resident with relevant and meaningful services, community building, and more.
Leaning into their 50-year long history, the comprehensive programs designed to meet the needs of this population, alongside the beautifully designed homes in a great location, 180 Degrees are positioned to elevate the resident experience and outcomes at Great River Landing.
“The keyword is opportunity,” Chaz declared. “To have the opportunity to be in your own place that is peaceful and supportive is game-changing. Stay tuned, because we’re going to have a lot to say as we continue to help these men achieve their goals and write their own stories!”
It takes $1,000 per resident in private support to maintain the essential onsite services in our supportive Beacon homes. Will you make a gift to help ensure the men at Great River Landing receive the services they need? Click here to learn more and make your gift today.
