A house RESOLUTION

 

TO DECLARE APRIL 2023 AS "SECOND CHANCE MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA and to commend SOTERIA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ON its outstanding work in assisting formerly incarcerated individuals to reenter society.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the critical services provided by the Soteria Community Development Corporation (CDC), a ministry established by Jerry Blassingame that assists formerly incarcerated individuals in reentering society and becoming productive citizens; and

 

Whereas, individuals returning from prison and those who have paid their debt after committing a crime face significant barriers and often struggle to obtain housing, employment, or education; regain voting rights; or volunteer in their community. In addition, they often must pay for significant debt that arises as a result of their conviction and incarceration; and

 

Whereas, 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 transition smoothly back into society; and

 

Whereas, from 2018 through 2022, only 4% of the men served by Soteria CDC have returned to prison, a much lower percentage than the state average of more than 31%; and

 

Whereas, Soteria CDC opened its first transitional home for men in 2001 with a four-bed capacity. By 2005, the ministry had expanded to include reentry services for women. After adding additional homes and later converting them into low-income rental properties, the Soteria House in Traveler's Rest was opened in 2018, a fifteen-bed residential housing facility for men; and

 

Whereas, Greenville County incarcerates more women than any other county in South Carolina. To serve those women navigating the obstacles to reentering society, Soteria CDC opened a sixteen-bed transitional housing facility for women in May 2022, mirroring the men's program by offering housing, job training, and life skills classes; and

 

Whereas, recognizing the importance of providing support to individuals reentering society following incarceration, the House is pleased to designate April as "Second Chance Month" in order to contribute to increased public awareness about the need for closure for those who have paid their debt and to encourage the creation of opportunities for individuals, employers, congregations, and communities to extend second chances. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare April 2023 as "Second Chance Month" in South Carolina and commend Soteria Community Development Corporation on its outstanding work in assisting formerly incarcerated individuals to reenter society.

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