TURN90

Turn90 is an employment-focused social enterprise dedicated to providing comprehensive reentry support for men returning from prison. With a mission to transform lives and prevent recidivism, Turn90 integrates job training, therapy, peer mentorship, and life skills education. Our vision is a future where every individual released from prison is empowered with the skills and support needed to rebuild their lives, breaking free from the cycles of incarceration. Turn90 serves men at the highest risk of re-arrest, with most participants having experienced a youth arrest, setting them on a lifelong path of justice involvement. Statistically, these men face daunting barriers: one in five have never legally worked, a third lack a high school diploma or GED, and half have been arrested more than seven times. Without interventions like Turn90, recidivism rates hover at 62% within three years of release. In Charleston alone, where we operate one of our primary centers, nearly 300 formerly incarcerated individuals return home each year. We work exclusively with men leaving prison who are likely to return without an intense intervention and wraparound support. Making a deep investment in a person's emotional, social, behavioral and financial well-being provides the skills to manage life differently, a pathway to legal employment, and an offramp from the incarceration cycle.70% Are first arrested youth75% Were arrested 4+ times39% Sentenced to prision 3+ times27% Turn90 is their first legal job48% Financially support childrenOur program meets individuals at the critical juncture post-release, when the challenges of finding housing, employment, identification, transportation, and emotional support collide with limited resources, compounding the likelihood of re-arrest. Turn90 addresses these pressing needs through an innovative, full-time employment model combined with supportive services delivered by Turn90 graduates who now serve as program staff, embodying hope and credible guidance for new participants. At the heart of Turn90's program is our immersive employment model, where men (called "trainees") are hired to work full-time in Turn90-operated social enterprises. Our program hires approximately 100 men each year, offering them a structured environment where they receive daily training, life skills, and group therapy focused on cognitive-behavioral approaches to foster emotional resilience and problem-solving skills. This model is designed to reshape individuals' self-perceptions, instill prosocial behaviors, and build coping skills necessary for long-term success beyond the program. Turn90's comprehensive support includes: Daily Cognitive-Behavioral Classes: Trainees engage in group sessions that build essential social and emotional skills. Wraparound Support Services: Social workers address immediate needs such as housing, health, and transportation. Transitional Employment: Our social enterprises provide trainees with immediate, legal employment, offering a paycheck, work history, and practical job skills. Post-Program Job Placement: Graduates are placed in stable jobs with livable wages, benefits, and growth opportunities, securing a pathway to financial independence. Turn90's program has shown remarkable outcomes: only 5% of our graduates return to prison, and 89% maintain employment for at least 90 days post- placement. This reduction in recidivism and high employment retention reflects the effectiveness of our approach. Our work provides a generational impact, allowing fathers to model stable lives for their children and break cycles of incarceration, positively influencing Charleston's communities. Turn90's program is rooted in evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of the complexities men face upon reentry. Our innovative approach has a proven track record of success, and with continued support, we can further our mission to create opportunities for lasting change, transforming lives, families, and communities.Results for 202490 Trainees were employed in Turn90's two social enterprises31 Trainees were successfully placed in a job9 out 10 placements retained employment for at least 90 days8 out 10 trainees reported progress toward personal goals while employed at Turn90A New Home in CharlestonThis year we took a bold step, moving into what will become our new, state-of-the-art Center in Charleston. The photo shows a group of Turn90 men standing in the burned-out warehouse that, in time, will be transformed into a world-class job training facility. The new site nearly doubles our footprint, expanding our ability to train, employ, and creatively grow our businesses. It's a statement about who we are and where we're going. This move is a leap of faith in our people, our mission, and our belief that every person who walks through our doors deserves nothing less than the best shot at success.A Dream RealizedIn 2019, we set an ambitious goal: to expand Turn90 across South Carolina by opening two additional locations. Today, that dream has become a reality with the opening of Turn90 Spartanburg (2024). Though we delayed our timeline by a year to ensure we got it right, this expansion is proof of our belief that meaningful progress is worth the wait.We're taking it one day at a time, focused on building something that lasts. This isn't just a milestone for Turn90. It's a marathon for South Carolina, for the communities we serve and for the men whose lives depend on ourrefusal to accept the status quo.With gratitude for the chance to turn a vision into action, we remain steadfast in our commitment to redefining second chances, ensuring that every step we take is rooted in impact and intention.Grown Social EnterpriseOur businesses are at the heart of our work, providing jobs for men returning from incarceration and fueling the resources needed to sustain our programs and activities.Turn90 Print Shop continues to grownot just in size, but in identity. As we refine our niche, improve quality control, and secure larger, repeat orders, the Print Shop is becoming more than a job training center. It's a critical driver of our ability to sustain operations and impact.Turn90 Logistics is also on the rise, creating scalable opportunities to generate revenue and provide even more jobs. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, it's paving the way for Turn90's next chapter and solidifying its place as a key driver of our mission.2024 Wages Paid - $492,9022024 Paid Hours - 32,161Wages per Person - $5,477RILEY INSTITUTE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS AWARDTurn90 was honored with the prestigious Riley Institute Partners in Progress Award, which recognizes a landmark collaborative achievement contributing to social and economic progress in South Carolina. The award has beenpresented annually since 2022, with past recipients including Spartanburg's Northside Initiative and the International African American Museum in Charleston. Being selected as the 2024 honoree affirms the statewideimpact of Turn90's model and the power of investing in people returning home from prison.