Staff & Board

Jerry Blassingame, Founder & CEO

Through his ministry at Soteria CDC, Jerry Blassingame endeavors to empower individuals and the community through education, affordable housing, financial literacy, community and economic development, and entrepreneurship.

His passion is assisting individuals who have been incarcerated through reentry and helping them to become productive citizens.

Jerry attended Columbia International University and studied architectural engineering at Greenville Technical College.  Jerry received a 20 year prison sentence in 1995 and only served 3 1/2 years after being paroled in 1999.  He is also a Social Entrepreneur who believes in social enterprise for the non-profit sector.  Jerry has continued to fight for change in legislation since he was granted a pardon in 2004.  After 14 years of advocacy, South Carolina passed its first legislation to expunge felony drug charges in December of 2018.

In 2018, Jerry published his first book, Reclaimed, a memoir that details his story from tragedy to triumph.

Jerry lives in Greenville South Carolina and is an active part of the community and an advocate for economic and social justice.

Soteria CDC has continued to receive recognition for its community service:

In 2004, received outstanding Prison Aftercare Award from Transition of Prisoners Inc.

• In September 2008, at the Housing and Community Economic Development Conference, Soteria CDC received the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations Award for outstanding leadership and service to low-income neighborhoods and communities in Greenville County.

• In January 2009, at the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, received the Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award for exemplary efforts towards neighborhood improvement and empowerment.

• 2009-2010 Graduate of the Leadership Greenville class 36

• 2010-2012 Jerry served on the PTA board for AJ Whittenberg Elementary as President Elect and 2012-2013 as President. Also served as President Elect for Southwest Council PTA of Greenville County as.

• In 2013, received an award from Institute of Prison Ministry for prison aftercare.

• In 2014, received a Chuck Colson scholarship to attend Wheaton College correctional ministries program

• 2014-2015 PTSA President of PJ Fisher Middle School

• 2015, certified at Wheaton College in correctional ministries as a re-entry specialist.

• In 2015, became the Vice President of Correctional Ministries and Chaplain Association International based out of Wheaton College through the Institute for Prison Ministries

• 2016 Fellow of Just Leadership USA

• 2016 Chair of the Greenville Reentry Coalition

• 2018 Aspen Institute Healthy Communities Fellow

• 2019, awarded Greenville Chamber of Commerce Buck Mickel Award for Community Development

• 2016-2019 Vice President Correctional Ministries & Chaplains Association

• 2019-2021 President Correctional Ministries & Chaplains Association

• 2022, named “Investing in Leaders of Color” Fellow

• 2023, awarded the United Way Spirit Award

Denise, a graduate of Eastside High School, continued her education at Greenville Technical College from 2008-2013 where she received her Associate Degrees in Business Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Accounting. In November 2007, she began volunteering at Soteria CDC as an appointment setter for the Ministry of Resources Benevolence Ministry. In May 2011, she started an Internship for Soteria’s Green Start Recycling before coming onboard as staff in July 2011 as Soteria Program Manager.  As the need expanded, so did Denise’s role into Administrative Assistant and Property Manager. In seeing a need of managing the housing of Soteria CDC, she went back to Greenville Tech in August 2012 and received certification in Property Management. Shortly thereafter in January 2014, she became a Notary Public for The State of South Carolina. In her spare time she loves to be “YaYa” to her grandchildren.

Denise lives in Greenville with her husband, Melvin, and they have a blended family of eight children and seven grandchildren.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Catherine brings almost 20 years of design and marketing experience to Soteria. She’s been getting the word out about all the good things going on both at Soteria, CDC and Soteria At Work since 2018, started fundraising with Soteria in 2019, and started overseeing grant writing and development in 2022.

Crystal brings a diverse background in healthcare and research to the Soteria team. Experienced in coordinating research studies, providing medical assistance, and monitoring facilities at a shelter, Crystal brings her strong organizational abilities and lived experience to the role of Director of Programs for Women.

While serving 3 years in prison, Crystal devoted her life to Christ and committed to serve previously incarcerated women upon her release. She has a rich history of mentoring incarcerated women, providing skill-building opportunities, goal-setting, and sharing her transformative faith since her release in 2010.

Graduating from Penn State with a degree in criminology in May of 2022, Cian sought employment that fit his passion of prison reform, reentry and rehabilitation. He initially served as a student intern at Soteria and after 6 months decided to continue his time here on the Soteria staff as our Volunteer Coordinator. Because of his experiences at Soteria, Cian decided to pursue his graduate degree online rather than in-person so he could continue serving the community as a part of the Soteria staff and has been so dedicated and impactful to the men and women of Soteria that he was promoted to Director of Programs for Men in 2024.

After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in sociology, Gage now fulfills his passion for people, research, and community at Soteria as a Case Manager. Inspired by personal struggle and those surrounding him growing up, Gage is empowered to strive for community development and rehabilitation. While at Clemson, Gage had the opportunity to aid in prison education programs and research environmental crime. 

Gage lives in Greenville with his loving wife. You can catch him on his off days enjoying a read or grooving to some music.

Jackson Lyda is a lifelong writer with a passion for using his talents to serve those who are often overlooked and discarded by society. He became Soteria's grant writer in 2024. Whether in grant writing or creative writing, he strives to bear effective witness through every word he writes. When he's not writing, Jackson can probably be found listening to weird music or reading weird novels.

Telena is a Georgia licensed CPA who brings over 30 years of accounting experience to Soteria. She owns her own accounting & consulting business.

She has a passion for giving her time, talents and treasures to communities and organizations which is what brought her to Soteria.

“Hey! My name is Grace Blassingame and I'm so proud to say that Jerry is my father!! I'm currently working full time helping people as they walk through the door every day! I've been around Soteria since birth and it's a blessing to now be old enough to help my community. Being able to do what I love, surrounded by people I love feels like a dream and I'm so happy that this was God's plan for me.”

Easy-going, cool, calm, and collected, Esau brings wisdom and maturity to the Soteria at Work crew.  Esau says that he, “Enjoys what he’s doing - whatever it is.”  You can tell.  From weight lifting to working in the wood shop to supporting the other men enrolled in Soteria’s program, Esau’s zen-like presence, heart for people, and deep-seated contentment shine through.

Pat exudes a calm, patient energy. He loves working at the woodshop because of the precision it requires. He used to work at data centers, but now enjoys the opportunity to step aside from technology and work outside. An empathetic listener, Pat’s long-term goal is to become a recovery coach to help people with alcohol and drug addictions.

Woody is a self proclaimed Jack of All Trades. His work history in the construction field immediately made him an asset to the Soteria at Work crew. A current participant in Soteria’s Residential Reentry program, Woody is working to build the job skills and stability that he needs to be the father for his children that he’s always wanted to be.

Oscar exhibits an infectious positive energy as he quietly and diligently gives his all to this work. With an interest in gardening, Soteria hired Oscar to run our hoop house garden in addition to coming on staff in the Soteria at Work wood shop. During the aftermath of Helene, Oscar became an invaluable asset as he spoke Spanish and built trust with our neighbors in the Poe Mill neighborhood to ensure that they received food, water, and toiletries. No matter what setting he is in, Oscar never complains, is a rapid learner, and does great work.