JOIN US OCT 24

Celebrate 25 years of helping the formerly incarcerated reintegrate back into society through a celebration of storytelling and fellowship.

Date // Time:
October 24, 2024 // 6:30pm - 9pm

Location:
Judson Mill Annex // 701 Easley Bridge Road // Greenville, SC 29611

Attire: Cocktail
Cash Bar
Light Hors D'oeuvres

A Note from our Founder:

It's hard to believe that in March of 1999, I walked through the doors of Abbeville County Prison after completing only three and a half years of a twenty year sentence.  As I look back over the years, many people thought I would not make it. As you can imagine, there was no funding or support in place for nonprofits who serve men and women with criminal backgrounds. The only thing I had was a word:  Habakkuk 2:2-4.   

"Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write down the special dream on stone so that one may read it in a hurry. For it is not yet time for it to come true. The time is coming in a hurry, and it will come true. If you think it is slow in coming, wait for it. For it will happen for sure, and it will not wait. As for the proud one, his soul is not right in him. But the one who is right and good will live by his faith."

Yeah, I know. Jailhouse Religion! Look at the last sentence in that verse: But the one who is right and good will live by faith. Living right is living righteous. Living righteous is a right standing with God, meaning that once we make the decision to follow Christ, we live in Him and He makes us righteous. I am asked often, “How do you do this?” Well, it's my faith:  believing in something that I can not see. It propels me to do the right thing: to love God and to love people.

It’s that simple.

Faith is contagious:  
Over the past 25 years, we have had countless volunteers and staff give their time to make the vision for Soteria to come to pass. A vision is a partnership, a partnership with like-minded individuals who want the best for the community they serve. A vision needs resources. We are so thankful for those who believed in the vision and gave faithfully and continue to give. Thank you!  A vision requires courage. Courage to move on when society says no. Courage to build when there are no finances. Courage to hope when it looks hopeless. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is Soteria!

In closing, Soteria is the Greek word for salvation. The word literally means rescue or safety from (physical or moral) harm, deliver, health, save, saving. This is what we do 365 days a year. We advocate for those and their families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.  We transform the lives of men and women through community development, serving them through housing, employment, education, advocacy, and affirmation. This is the work that we are called to do. Thank you for partnering with us. We have a great year planned as we celebrate 25 years. Stay tuned for more details.

- Jerry

JERRY BLASSINGAME, FOUNDER & CEO

Calling all friends of Soteria!

Have you been a part of our 25 years?  We're collecting stories & photos, and would love to hear from program participants, volunteers, staff, partners, or anyone who has been impacted by our work.  Reach out through the links below: