News & Events

February 10, 2016

180 Degrees - Featured on ARTSPEAK RADIO

Click here for the MP3.
"Jonas Hayes, with Heartland 180, joins us in the studio. Heartland 180 is organized specifically for the purpose of delivering services focused on educational support, life skills, and character-building programs for youth and young adults. This corporation is organized to seek funding and offer operation of in-school and after-school programs for youth in character building, core values, parenting classes; life-skills classes; 21st Century workforce skills and work apprenticeships for young adults, and community service opportunities. The goal of Heartland 180, Incorporated is to assist youth and young adults to reach their full potential, which will result in increased grade point averages, test scores, class attendance, long-term employment, and reduced referrals and delinquencies." www.jonashayes.com/heartland-180/

July 19, 2015

180 Degrees - Featured on K-LOVE Radio stations

K-LOVE's Rafael Sierra finds out more about the after school program 180 Degrees. Interview with founder Dean Refrow. Click here for the MP3.

April 2, 2015

New Curriculum Released

African American Male Engagement (AAME)
Click on Brochure and Chapter Sample to learn more.

Developed by a group of African American leaders spanning the education, youth services, and the faith community, the AAME 180 Degrees curriculum provides social-emotional learning for young African American males. Consistent with the principles and objectives of the national, My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, the 180 Degrees Program AAME curriculum supports young African American males embrace their rich heritage and culture, stay on track, and become more mindful about their future.

October 4, 2014

New Curriculum Releases Winter 2014

African American Male Engagement (AAME)
Developed by a group of African American leaders spanning the education, youth services, and the faith community, the AAME 180 Degrees curriculum provides social-emotional learning for young African American males. Consistent with the principles and objectives of the national, My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, the 180 Degrees Program AAME curriculum supports young African American males embrace their rich heritage and culture, stay on track, and become more mindful about their future.

180 Degrees Program Level III
Following the tradition of “created by educators for educators”, the 180 Degrees Program Level III curriculum is an advanced high school social emotional learning curriculum. It has been designed to continue the social and emotional development of high school youth having completed the 180 Degrees Level II curriculum. The content provides higher level learning of the five core competencies of social emotional learning and personal development and growth. Once students complete the Level III curriculum, they are fully grounded and ready for post secondary education and pursuit of higher level technical learning.

Growing Into Life – 3rd and 4th grade edition
This edition of the popular “Growing Into Life” elementary learning curriculum provides playful social emotional learning lessons and activities for 3rd and 4th grade youth. The diverse cast of characters from the 5th and 6th grade curriculum and their unique friends learn about the importance of healthy relationships, positive decision making, forgiveness, personal wellness, and playing by the rules. As in previous editions, the 3rd and 4th grade curriculum contains enrichment activities from classic children’s literary works and supports the Common Core Standards in English – Language Arts.

July 16, 2013

Mississippi-Made Documentary Earns International Recognition

Delta 180: Changing Lives in the Mississippi Delta, a documentary film about the Delta 180 program operating in Greenville, Mississippi won Best Short Documentary at the Madrid International Film Festival in Spain. The Award was announced on July 6, 2013 in Madrid. Director / Producer Anne Rayner was in attendance and accepted the honor on behalf of the Delta 180 production. Read more...

May 14, 2013

Film of success continues to inspire

The story of one Greenville group's creation continues to gain recognition throughout the state and across the nation. In December 2009, Jonas Hayes, then director of Delta 180, laid out a mission. He and other community leaders proposed creating a group to address the failing school system and rising juvenile delinquency in Washington County. Read more...

March 18, 2013

Delta 180: Changing Live in the Mississippi Delta - Short Film

Won Best Short Documentary at four film festivals

Won "Best Short Documentary Film" at the 2013 at the Madrid Spain Film Festival

Click here to watch the video

Won:

Northern California Film Festival - won Best Short Documentary (2013)
Crossroads Film Festival - won Best Short Documentary (2013)
Madrid International Film Festival - won Best Short Documentary (2013)

Honorable Mentions and Merit Awards:
International Film Festival for Peace, Inspiration and Equality (Jakarta, Indonesia) - Award of Excellence, Short Documentary Category (2013)
Semi-Finalist: Action / Cut 2013 Short Film Competition
Columbus International Film Festival - won Honorable Mention, Social Issues Category (2012)
Awareness Film Festival - won Merit of Awareness (2013)

Sept 13, 2012

Mentoring Helps Students Make a Turn

"A new mentoring program in California's Oakland Unified School District is helping Oakland City Church transform its city in tangible ways." Read more at RCA Today.

June 9, 2011

Watch the Channel 6 coverage of the Greenville, MS graduation and success story.

April 26, 2010

Read the Mercury News article about the program's success. "San Jose: Program helps turn apathetic teens into motivated students." Click here to read the entire story.