Nurturing families transitioning from incarceration to society in a farmland environment.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

About Us

Solid Roots is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families as they transition from incarceration to society. Our unique approach involves providing a nurturing, farmland environment where mothers and children can rebuild their relationship and gain a new perspective on their future. Our services are designed to address the root causes of issues that led to incarceration, and we strive to dismantle racial disparities in the process.

At Solid Roots, we believe that connecting to the earth through farming can have a profound impact on families. By dissecting the roots of their struggles, we aim to increase the value of their growth. Our primary wraparound services include mental wellness counseling, financial literacy, career exploration, and education to help families get back on their feet and thrive. Through acknowledgment and teaching, we hope to help families reconnect and rehabilitate their relationships while also emphasizing their correlation to the solid roots provided by God.

Our ultimate goal is to help families achieve groundbreaking outcomes and build a brighter future together. We believe that providing a safe and supportive environment can empower families to reach their full potential and live fulfilling, healthy lives.

What is the problem at large?

In Minnesota, more than 37,000 women have been released from incarceration facilities, and a large number of them are mothers with children who are left in foster care. The separation from their children adds to their trauma of re-entering society. At this time, there are no supportive houses in Minnesota that provide accommodation and support for mothers to live with their children in a farmland environment. The limited amount of supportive housing that allows a mother and child to reside together, regardless of the location, can make reuniting with their families and communities difficult. This is concerning, as studies have shown that supervised residential housing can help reduce recidivism rates.¹ Reuniting mothers and children is crucial for a sense of family and belonging and can decrease the likelihood of offending or reoffending for the child and reduce recidivism rates for the mothers. Dr. Valerie A. Clark's research from the Minnesota Department of Corrections highlights the importance of community context and post-release housing placements in reducing recidivism rates.

Why do we want to solve the problem?

With an unyielding determination and a deep sense of responsibility, Lori James, the founder of Solid Roots, took a bold step toward initiating this organization. Her vision is to sow the seeds of positive change for families, with a focus on mothers and children during the pilot phase. Lori, along with her team, is dedicated to creating a future where mothers and their children can thrive after being incarcerated and reintegrated into society.

Drawing on her own experiences, Lori recognized the potential of Solid Roots to transform lives and elevate individuals, both adults and youth, by empowering them to unlock their full potential and find fulfillment. With an unwavering commitment to innovative solutions and practices rooted in faith and intention, we believe that Solid Roots will flourish into a remarkable force for good. It will serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others to follow.

How we plan to solve the problem.

Our organization, Solid Roots, is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for mothers and their children as they transition into the community. We offer supervised transitional housing in an agricultural setting where the family can receive wraparound support services and learn the skills necessary for a successful transition. As part of our program, we partner with community providers to ensure that the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of the mothers and their children are met. Our innovative approach to reunification focuses on the healing power of the earth, and we believe that the agricultural setting can provide unique benefits to both mother and child. With Solid Roots, families can build a solid foundation for a brighter future.

Our Plans

Sowing seeds for change.

  • "Prisoners who get programming would do better on the outside, and lower recidivism would save the state and community big bucks."

    Grant Duwe, 2023

  • Three-year recidivism rate 25% - MN ranked #5 in the US

    (2017-2021)

  • What is the annual cost per child in foster care? The Answer: range $7k - $29k

    (Statute 256 N.26)