June 2025
THE ONES WHO NEVER LEFT
Earlier this month, we witnessed something very special. Families, friends, and JUMPSTART SC participants came together for an evening that reminded us why we do what we do.
For David, a current participant, this time marked a powerful turning point. Though he had been with JUMPSTART SC for nine months, he hadn’t seen his parents since the day they brought him to Restoration Village. Distance, schedules, and finances had made a visit nearly impossible...until now.
David shared how everything aligned for his parents to attend the dinner and even stay through the weekend. “Everything just came together,” he said with a grateful smile. The visit gave him the long-awaited chance to give back and thank his parents for the long drives, the waiting room hours, and the sacrificial love they’ve shown him throughout his journey toward restoration.
“ THANK YOU FOR LOVING MY SON AND GIVING HIM A FAMILY TO BELONG TO.
Alan, Father of JUMPSTART SC Participant
The event meant more to David than just dinner. It was a moment for participants to publicly acknowledge their support systems, and showcase the growth, healing, and hope that JUMPSTART SC is nurturing every day.
David’s father, Alan, shared how much peace the visit brought him as a parent. Seeing Restoration Village firsthand, the place where David lives, serves, and grows, showed him that his son is not merely been looked after, but part of a family now. “I cannot imagine doing all the things I needed to do on my own without JUMPSTART.” David said.
Now almost a year into the program, he has joined a church, developed skills that helped him secure employment, and grown in community; he has even started renewing broken connections with other family members who were unable to attend the dinner.
To anyone like David feeling the sting of separation in a season of change, he offers this encouragement: “Don’t get discouraged…God has plans in mind for rebuilding relationships. There’s a perfect timing for everything, and He knows when it is.”
At JUMPSTART SC, we know healing often starts with loved ones around. We’re so thankful for the moments that make reunions like David’s possible.
GREAT FOOD. GREATER IMPACT.
Our Catering & Events social enterprise has been mastering recipes and cultivating kindness through delicious food. Recently, the Spartanburg Human Resources Association had our culinary team cater their spring mixer. It’s incredibly encouraging to see JUMPSTART SC partners continuing to support our mission through this new endeavor.
By booking an event with us, you are supporting our participants and giving them opportunities to flourish and work, creating an even greater impact.
Call 864-565-7681 to learn more or to book your next event with us.
BUILDING UP FOR WHAT’S NEXT
Mrs. Polly began volunteer training with us in February, and a month later, officially joined the JUMPSTART SC family. From day one, she’s made a lasting impression. With a heart full of compassion and a deep love for the Lord, she quickly became a trusted voice and mentor to the women in our program.
Each month, she hosts dinners and special activities that create space for connection and joy. In April, she went a step further by teaching a professional makeup class, equipping the ladies not just with new skills and practical tips, but with renewed confidence as they prepare to step into the workforce.
Mrs. Polly also leads weekly classes for the women in their first 30 days of the program, helping them lay a strong foundation for healing, growth, and identity in Christ. She recently led a devotional study on the book, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”, encouraging our female participants to take steps of faith even in fearful or challenging circumstances. Her gentleness has helped create a warm and open environment for the female participants to grow as women of God.
Her consistent presence and encouragement have become a steady light during a season of deep change. The women look up to her. Not just because of what she teaches, but because of the way she walks alongside them with grace, truth, and joy.
We’re so grateful for highly impactful volunteers like Mrs. Polly, who remind our participants that they are seen, they are valued, and they are deeply loved by both our JUMPSTART SC community and by God.
Discover impactful ways to engage in prison ministry with JUMPSTART SC. Volunteer inside prisons to share, encourage, and inspire participants during our 40-week program. Alternatively, become a personal mentor for a JUMPSTART SC graduate released from prison to help them reintegrate into society. Your involvement can make a profound difference in the lives of those seeking a fresh start. Read our recent blog post to explore these opportunities and more!
Not everyone can volunteer, but everyone can make an impact.
Will you give a gift today to help the men and women we serve take their next step toward a future greater than their past?
Scan to Donate Now Or Text GIVE to 833-308-2670
RESTORATION VILLAGE UPDATE
As we near the halfway mark of 2025, we celebrate all that God is doing through Restoration Village while looking ahead to what’s still to come.
Our 10th home is now complete and ready for participants, and our 11th home has already been ordered! We are expecting to have 24 men and women join our Transitional Program by the end of the year.
This year, we need to add an additional 5 homes to meet the need of those who have completed our Inside Program and need our Transitional Program to thrive upon their release. Will you consider giving or inviting someone you know to give to ensure no brother or ister in Christ is homeless after their release? We’ve helped them learn to follow Christ while incarcerated. Let’s ensure they have the opportunity they need to ensure they have a future greater than their past.
This vision, however, extends far beyond the metrics of completed homes. It is rooted in the belief that building houses is merely the foundation for fostering a Christ-centered community. At the heart of Restoration Village lies the principle of nurturing relationships in accordance with Scriptural teachings. These relationships provide the essential support, encouragement, and stability needed for individuals to navigate the challenges of re-entry. Each home represents a sanctuary where participants are reminded daily that they are not alone in their journey, and that they are surrounded by a compassionate community ready to uplift them.
Will you join us in finishing what God has started? To learn how you can be part of this life-changing work, contact Cary Sanders at cary.sanders@jumpstartvision.org. Together, we can build more than homes. We can build hope.
