The Volunteers of America Residential Center (RC), which opened in 1969, is a 58-bed facility that provides correctional services for men who have been convicted of felonies and are allowed to complete part of their sentences in a community-based, work-release facility.  The RC offers participants an opportunity to become accountable, productive, tax paying citizens, while avoiding further involvement in the criminal justice system.

Participants are referred to the RC by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Probation Office, or by the Minnesota Department of Corrections Work Release Unit.  The program is licensed by the State of Minnesota, and has earned six awards from the American Correctional Association Commission on Accreditation.

The Residential Center maintains around-the-clock shift staff and a strict system of accountability, which ensures that residents are accounted for both day and night. 

Additionally, the RC provides specialized programming to all residents in small groups sessions during the first three days of their stay.  Topics include transition, parenting/family relationships, abuse, cultural diversity and wellness/life skills. 

All residents are expected to achieve full-time employment within 15-days of arrival.  To assist them in finding employment, the RC provides an Employment Placement Specialist who leads groups in topics including employment readiness, vocational education and financial education.  Additionally, the RC has relationships with employers who are willing to hire qualified ex-offenders.  The Minneapolis Lake Street Council, which represents 5,000 area businesses, supports the work of the RC.  Once employed, residents are required to pay 25% of all income to help defray the cost of their stay at the RC.