Pictured: Barbara Richards and her team hold an annual lecture series called Strong Voices to educate the public about impacts of the reentry process on the community.

Project 180, a prisoner reentry nonprofit group that helps men and women make the difficult transition from incarceration to the community, is proud to present a powerful and moving documentary film called The Light They Cast.

The film chronicles the journey of eight men as they navigate the complex realities of reentry after incarceration. These individuals bravely share their experiences, shedding light on the often-overlooked challenges they face upon reentering society. The documentary provides an unflinching look at their struggles, from their first week out of prison to moments of triumph as they achieve sobriety, secure employment and rebuild their lives.

Barbara Richards founded Project 180 in 2008 when she saw that there were so few resources in Sarasota County for individuals who were transitioning from incarceration into the community. From a staff of one, the group has now grown to include 4 full-time employess, one part-timer and between 18 and 24 people who are deeply involved in the organization.

“The goal for Project 180 is to reduce poverty, homelessness, unemployment and criminal behavior among formerly incarcerated citizens. We are having some pretty good luck with that given that we have a residential program, which is fairly small with only 17 beds, giving each individual the attention they need,” Richards explains. “We have a program called First Week Out, which is a little misleading because we stay in touch with people for months and sometimes years after they're released from prison. Incarceration is a life interrupter and you pretty much lose everything while you're incarcerated, so it's important to have someone there to advocate for the individual.”

As many incarcerated people are also also afflicted with the disease of addiction, Richards and her team focus a lot on recovery. Project 180 currently has three homes, all in low crime, working class neighborhoods in Sarasota County. Through Project 180, formerly incarcerated men find the guidance and community they need to succeed, proving that with the right resources and a network of people who believe in them, they can overcome the stigma and barriers that often accompany their pasts. Since 2018, Project 180 and its Residential Program have prevented an estimated 70,000 crimes.

The Light They Cast is produced by Miles Larsen and Janice Shelton. It will premiere on Friday, October 11, 11am-1pm at Michael's On East. Tickets are $45 each and include lunch.

To learn more about Project 180 and The Light They Cast, visit www.project180reentry.org/.

Pictured: Barbara Richards and her team hold an annual lecture series called Strong Voices to educate the public about impacts of the reentry process on the community.

For ticket information click here.