April proclaimed 'Second Chance Month' in honor of Upstate organization

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

An Upstate organization was recognized by the city of Greenville and by the state of South Carolina on Tuesday.

Soteria Community Development Corporation held a drop-in event Tuesday to educate the community on its re-entry program to help people transition back into society after incarceration.

On Tuesday, Greenville City Councilman Russell Stall presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Knox White and the city, proclaiming April 2022 as Second Chance Month.

House Rep. Chandra Dillard also presented a proclamation signed by every South Carolina House Representative proclaiming April 2022 Second Chance Month throughout the entire state.

Soteria's program began more than 20 years ago, working with men after they're released from prison, to help give them resources to find a job, housing, financial literacy and other social and emotional resources to rebuild their lives in society.

CEO Jerry Blassingame shared some of the challenges these men face in terms of finding a job and starting over.

Data shows more than 60% of people remain unemployed a year after release from incarceration.

"We have put in a lot of work, a lot of dedication, determination," Blassingame said. "Stick to it-ness is what I call it. Never quit. When you have goals and a vision, you just go for it and don't' stop, regardless of if someone says no, because no doesn't always mean no sometimes. You just got to keep doing it so people will see that you're serious, and so people have watched me over 20 years not quit."

Blassingame says it's an honor to be recognized by the city and state for his decades of hard work. He says it's a testament to the success of the program.

"People can change. People will change," he said. "Given the right environment, the right love and the right support, we can help people change. People with criminal backgrounds."

At Tuesday's event, a current intern in Soteria's program spoke about the impact it's had on his transition after just a few weeks. Devin Floyd says he was released from prison in March.

"God has sent me here for a very specific reason and the open arms, the acceptance and the guidance I've gotten since I got here, it's been six weeks and I feel like I've accomplished in years at a time in my life," Floyd said.

Soteria is in the process of reopening its women's program after a number of years. Blassingame says they hope to welcome the first women into the newly renovated women's home in May.