Community Re-Entry Services offers a stepping stone

In May 2020, 180 Degrees leased a nearby apartment building to address the tremendous gap in log-term available housing for clients at Clifton Place. Five units of housing quickly filled. By November, 2020, 180 Degrees formed a separate corporation, Community Re-Entry Service, LLC. Community Re0entry Service purchased five buildings, creating 30 unite of housing for Clifton Place clients.

One of the first residents to be accepted into the new program is Carlos, who moved into a safe, affordable, and fully-furnished one-bedroom apartment. There's a shared kitchen and laundry areas with 4 other residents who also successfully completed the 90 day Clifton Place halfway house.

Tell me about yourself, Carlos.

I moved here in June. I had been in prison for two years. While I was there I took classes in woodshop and horticulture trainings. 180 Degrees' CRS Program has been very helpful for me with housing and employment. This has been giving me a stepping stone - to learn the responsibility of having bills, real bills, and getting the chance to help myself. I was working through a temporary job agency but have been laid off due to COVID. During this COVID time, I'm willing to take any job I can get. Everything is unpredictable. I'd be grateful for anything else I got. ​In the past when I came out of prison, I went through public housing. 

But I would often move in with friends and family, or go to a shelter. But this time I'm really happy with how it worked out. It's a positive move. it gives me something to do every day. It's a great start for me. I take it one day at a time.

What's the best part of your day?

Waking up knowing that I don't have to wake up and hear another man snoring (laughs). No, it's the solitude. I can come in and sit down; Knowing that if I don't want to open my door, I don't have to . It's peaceful, just peaceful. That's the stage that I'm in right now.

Where do you hope to be a year from now?

Due to COVID, it's difficult to know where I'll be. But I'd like to have a really good job, get off of parole, and stay positive because this apartment is a positive foundation for me. When I leave here, I'd like to save up some money and move into a larger one-bedroom apartment.
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Is there any ideal job?

I have worked for so many jobs that I'll leave that open. Warehousing, stocking food.

​What are some of your best times in your new apartment?

​My grandkids are all teenagers, we pop popcorn and watch movies.