Explore Our Programs
Video Credit: Chris Buol
Program Overview | Prison Re-entry
With a passion for reaching individuals whose lives have been impacted by crime, Soteria CDC provides individuals with the necessary essentials, including housing, job training, and discipleship programs, that they need in order to smoothly transition back into society. Currently, our Travelers Rest house is available for men, offering a 16-bed capacity.
Participants can stay up to one year in the Soteria Transitional Program. Upon graduation from the program, they receive assistance in finding permanent housing. In addition, there are rental houses available for families once they leave the program. We also provide channels for those who would like to continue their education or pursue technical training.
Soteria CDC providES:
- Transitional Housing
- Transportation
- Clothing & Food
- Full Time Employment
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling
- Education & Technical Training
- Mentoring
- Devotion & Bible Study
- Financial Literacy Classes
Soteria House
Where Hope for the Future Begins!
Soteria House is a 16-bed transitional home in Travelers Rest where our interns live while they are enrolled in our 6-12 month program. Interns at Soteria House follow a daily schedule that begins with journaling and ends with a family-style meal in the evenings. Our participants are assigned responsibilities such as driver, cook, and house manager to support one another as they come and go from their job placements within the community. We have curfews and community service requirements to help men establish the structures that support a healthy, successful lifestyle as they transition back into society.
How to Apply
Entry into Soteria House requires referral from one of the following persons:
- A chaplain or pastor
- A caseworker, social worker, or warden
- A prison minister or prison ministry program
- A parole or probation officer
Applications must be submitted at least 6 months prior to release.
Social Enterprise
Soteria At Work: Reclaiming Wood, Reclaiming Lives
We provide both deconstruction and reclamation services for business and individual consumers. SOTERIA AT WORK provides a sincere opportunity for individuals to learn and apply new skills, earn money, improve their long-term job prospects, and make a real difference in the community.
Visit our website to learn more: SOTERIAATWORK.COM
affordable housing
To further our commitment to community development, Soteria provides affordable housing units for low-moderate income families. We have (6) 2-Bedroom and (7) 3-Bedroom residences for rent, currently giving homes to 28 individuals, of which 13 are children. To apply for one of our homes, please download the application below and mail it to:
Soteria CDC
c/o Denise Patterson
210 Shaw Street
Greenville, SC 29609
Mentorship Program
Soteria CDC starts building relationships with potential participants while they are still incarcerated to build relationships through our Penpal program. The importance of Penpals cannot be overstated as they are often the only consistent contact people have to the outside world. Letters go back and forth through Soteria so that we may screen content and provide our address to receive participants’ letters.
Once interns are released and enroll into Soteria’s reentry program, we pair them with mentors. Regular visits, correspondence, and Bible studies are all vital parts of this relationship.
Goals for Mentoring:
Education:
- Develop or strengthen ability to read and write
- Improve the ability to budget and deal with finances
- Cultivate basic life skills
- Encourage enrollment in courses to strengthen ability to obtain a better job (ex. computer or trade courses)
Social & Spiritual Reintegration
- Guide residents into Christian maturity
- Nurture desire to volunteer and serve to better the community
- Develop skills in conflict resolution and anger management
- Renew and/or strengthen quality relationships with family and community
- Encourage relapse prevention
- Cultivate moral values and responsibility
Economic Empowerment:
- Develop a budget and improve credit worthiness
- Maintain a savings account
- Encourage good work habits and a positive work ethic
get involved!
We regularly schedule training sessions for our mentors and penpals. During COVID-19, we are conducting sessions over video conferencing. We work with organizations, churches, and individuals. Let us know if you are interested!