We all have stories, some messier and more intriguing than others. Over the past ten years, my wild roller-coaster from being a prisoner to a husband, father, and CEO, all while earning a doctorate has been a worthwhile, and quite often, wild adventure. I’ve had a lot to learn, and still feel like I’m in first grade in the school of life. Here are a few of the lessons I’m thinking about today that I’ve learned along the way. I share in hopes that the lessons will be helpful to someone – maybe even to you. 1. Breaking Chains: Overcoming the Disease to Please Some find themselves in literal prison cells, ensnared in compromising situations, or overcommitted and exhausted, all because they couldn't break free from the insidious need to please. Saying 'no' isn't just about setting boundaries; it's about unlocking true freedom. By learning to say no without guilt, you not only protect your health but also have more time to focus on what matters most to you and those you love. Annihilating the disease to please ensures your choices are genuinely yours and not dictated by the whims of others. Often in one’s quest for recognition and acceptance, we will say yes to people and commitments that don’t advance us in the mission God has for us. Being overcommitted drains our energy and keeps us from focusing on what matters most. I’m often asked to meet with people or travel to speak, and it’s been hard learning which opportunities to accept and which to decline. I don’t always get it right, I’m sure. Maybe I have missed out on a million-dollar opportunity…too bad. I’m more concerned with not missing out on loving my wife well and being home as often as possible while my children are growing up. So I consider opportunities carefully, make a decision in light of what matters most, and move on. Remember, every 'yes' you give out is an investment of your limited, finite life. Prioritize what truly matters. By wisely choosing where and with whom you spend your time, you protect your most valuable asset and ensure you have the energy to consistently move toward your purpose. Guard your time, align it with God’s intentions for you, and ensure every moment propels you forward. 2. Ditch the Candy, Hold Out for the Steak Maybe I should’ve played golf in my free time and built more professional relationships rather than spending time earning a doctorate. Maybe not. Only time will tell if earning a doctorate while working full-time was the right thing to do in my particular situation. My guess is that it has given me some additional credibility post-incarceration. It has opened doors of opportunity for me. I don’t know what you could achieve that would further develop your competency in the specific mission you’re assigned, but I do know you will likely have to sacrifice to flourish. People and organizations that are world-class don’t just fall into that category. They have to reject passivity and laziness daily and do hard things to achieve great outcomes. If you want to soar with the eagles, you'll often have to pass up on the chicken feed. Greatness demands you look beyond today's craving. 3. Nuke Self-Destructive Demons Let's cut to the chase: we're all flawed. Do you have secrets or struggle with destructive thoughts or behaviors? Sure you do. Everyone does. Don’t allow knowing the worst about yourself to cause you to treat yourself poorly or settle for less than God’s best in your life. Negative self-talk and/or destructive behaviors are often the greatest battles anyone ever fights. There are cheat codes for these inner demons. Christ has the cure for this internal disease called sin. Learn to apply it daily – or more like every minute. And even in the midst of the battle, remember there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. So, if you are living in fear, shame, and/or self-condemnation – you need to come to grips with whether you believe Jesus is sufficient or not. You need to believe Him even in the midst of the battle. If you don’t know Him and would like to meet Him, I’d be happy to make the introduction. Got a battle you can’t seem to win? Go see a professional. They’ve heard it all before – and probably worse – and if they are any good – they will be able to help you or connect you with someone who is better suited for your particular strain of iniquity. If you could have fixed what your struggle is by yourself, you would have done so already – so humble yourself and get help – the world needs what the best version of you has to offer. 4. Choose Your Tribe with Wisdom – Or Pay the Price Biblical wisdom teaches and social science research confirms that "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This isn't just poetic; it's practical. Surrounding yourself with individuals who challenge and inspire is life-changing. On the flip side, the wrong company will keep you from achieving your potential and often lead you into difficulties. Every friend leaves a mark; it's up to you whether it's a polish or a scar. As a craftsman is only as good as his tools, you're only as sharp, focused, and resilient as the company you keep. In prison, most laughed, and rather loudly, when I dreamed out loud that I might go to college after prison. Only had a GED at the time. I almost didn’t even take a first step because of their toxic negativity. At university, while some probably well-intentioned but probably also holier-than-thou types avoided me after learning my story, others actively encouraged me to continue fighting the good fight. This encouragement was fuel in my tank. Choose your influencers wisely. Your life is at stake. 5. Deciphering Truth in a World of Noise Everyone has an opinion, and they are often wrong. So are you. Be humble and willing to pivot. Ever heard the saying, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"? Throughout history, we're reminded that not all advice, even when well-intentioned, is golden. While everyone has an opinion, it's essential to sift through the noise and discern what’s merely someone’s opinion and what’s wisdom in a particular situation. What worked for someone else may not work for you – or it may be exactly what you need. Be willing to listen – but free from the pressure to conform to whatever they believe is best. History is replete with examples of people who had to defy conventional wisdom and the opinions of others to make discoveries and world-changing inventions. If I had to give a dollar for every well-intentioned but bad piece of advice I’ve heard, I’d be destitute, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. We exist in a world of ideas and choices we make from those ideas. To have a life of peace, joy, and contentment, the true treasures in my experience, we all must learn to decipher between what is true and what is not. Remember, sailing through life's waters using a faulty compass can lead you off course and even shipwreck your journey. Stay open to wisdom, especially from God’s Word, friends, mentors, and family members who have your best interest at heart but be alert and wise. Knowing when to adjust your sails can be the difference between smooth sailing and being lost at sea. Dr. Cary Sanders CEO JUMPSTART SC

Nancy Harrison made a generous gift to JUMPSTART SC in honor of her late husband, Lewis Harrison’s legacy. We asked her to share some some of their story so we could celebrate their gift and legacy. In this heartfelt piece, she shares her personal journey of faith and the profound impact that her husband had on her life and the lives of many others. Through her words, we see a glimpse of a couple who lived a life of service, hard work, and devotion to their Lord. We share in hopes that it will inspire you to live and love in a way that reflects the beauty of God. In Nancy's words: Who is With You In Life's Storms? Do you have a Big God, a Little God or maybe No God at all?  I am increasingly disturbed by the tremendous number of our Young People who think that they do not need a Sovereign, All-Wise God in their lives.  They believe that they have the ability within themselves to handle all the difficulties, health issues, and relationship problems that come their way as we live our lives each and every day.  Not only problems, but even facing our own death which is certain—what do we do about Heaven and Hell if we don’t have a God?  Well, I have a Big God and I need him in my life every minute, every hour of every day! Nancy's Background I was born to a Mother and Father who were not Christians, and it was a home of turmoil and constant quarreling and most of the time, the quarrels were ended this way----my father would ask my mother if she wanted to get a divorce and put the children in an orphanage?  I was petrified of an orphanage so I went to bed many nights crying and praying to God that He would not let this happen to me and my two brothers.Because I have a Great God, he impressed upon my Mother the need to send me to Sunday School and Church so my Mother would drive me to Church and let me out for Sunday School. My Great God blessed me with a wonderful Sunday School teacher who always told me every Sunday that God loved me so much that he gave his only Son to die on a cross so that my sins could be forgiven, and I could go to Heaven and spend eternity with Jesus when I died. No one had ever told me that they loved me before, so this was just the Good News that I needed in my life.  I knew that I needed this Great and loving God in my life, and it was easy to tell him that I wanted to be his child for the rest of my life! My Great God took me to Furman University where I majored in Business and became a certified teacher of Business Courses.  However, I did have a couple of Religion Professors who wanted me to question my religion and my faith in God.  It meant that I spent a lot of time praying and talking with God, but I was more assured than ever that my faith in God was real and was on a solid foundation.  Otherwise, I loved Furman and had a marvelous college experience there! But my Great God had another wonderful surprise for me.  He did put me in an orphanage after all, but not as an orphan but as a teacher.  God had prepared my heart to love orphans and children who had become separated from their parents through no fault of their own.  I had to become their parent, teacher, and friend.  It was a tremendous blessing in my life, but even more important was a wedding that took place at the orphanage. The Love Story Begins You see, there was a man who had been invited to the wedding and that man was the one God had chosen to be my husband.  Fortunately, he had been born to Christian parents.  Having been raised in a wonderful, loving, Christian home, he knew how to be a Godly husband and how to have a Christian home. On our wedding night, we read our Bible and got down on our knees and told God that we wanted to have a Christian home and we asked him to give us wisdom and help us to be faithful in doing that.  We both felt strongly that when the desire of our hearts was to make God’s priorities our priorities, then He gives us happiness beyond our expectations!  Our Great God is a faithful God.  He blessed us with two beautiful girls and He gave us the Christian Home which was the fulfillment of our dreams! Lewis Harrison's Story There are so many wonderful things that I could write about my husband, but receiving praise and accolades from the world was not important to him—in fact, he would call them “rubbish”. Both of us are just regular people like everyone else. We just happen to believe in a Great God and that this Great God gave us talents and abilities to use for His Glory and He expects us to be good stewards of everything He has given to us.  One day we will stand before Him and give an account of what we have done for Him. Lewis learned very early in life the value of hard work.  His family has heard him tell of plowing a mule by the time he was 6 years old.  Then in High School, he and his father owned a small herd of dairy cattle, and it was his job to get up every morning at 3 AM to milk the cows.  But this didn’t keep him from participating in all the other activities at school. He was a very active member of the FFA and was the first member of his chapter to win the highest National Award, “The American Farmer Degree” in 1952.  All that he learned while working with cattle also sent him to Kansas City for 3 trips to the National FFA Convention and one trip to the National Dairy Congress in Waterloo, Iowa.  Also, it was preparing him for a lifetime of service and work in the Dairy Industry. He has one beloved sister, Mary Jo Christopher, and her husband, Wendell Christopher, has not only been a wonderful Brother-in-Law, but also a very valued partner throughout his lifetime. The two of them co-founded Walnut Grove Auction Sales and Event Rentals, Inc.  Lewis was the president of Walnut Grove Auction Sales which primarily worked with the Dairy industry.  Sales rings, tents and related equipment was packed into an 18-wheeler and a Sales crew traveled to Dairies all over the South where this equipment was set up and hundreds of people would come from all over the South to purchase just a few head or perhaps a trailer load of cattle. Lewis loved everyone and he could talk with anybody and instantly make a friend.  He discovered that Farmers are truly the “Salt of the earth”, and he made lifetime bonds with many wonderful people that he met in the Dairy Business!God was always so good to him and gave him a lifetime of fulfillment and happiness as he served on many dairy related Boards and committees.  In 1961 he received the “Outstanding Young Farmer of South Carolina” award.  In 1991 he was inducted into the “South Carolina Dairy Association Hall of Fame”.  In 2019, he was selected to receive the “Friends of the Dairy Industry” award by the Georgia Milk Producers for his lifetime of commitment and service to the Dairy Industry. Even though the Dairy Industry consumed and lot of time and energy, his Love for His Lord surpassed all other loves.  He was a very active member of Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church for all the years that he was able to attend serving as an active Elder for many years. He loved reading his Bible and there are many scriptures he would share, but I choose Second Corinthians 5:6-9: We are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord!  So, we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it! My precious husband is with Jesus now—he passed away on January 8, 2023, after 59 years of married bliss and happiness together.  I am so glad that I can still say the I have a Great God and my God is now my husband, my best friend, my strength, my wisdom, and my joy every day of my life!  I love Him and praise him because He made something beautiful of our lives! One other of Lewis’ admonishments to us was reminding us that we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing with us when we leave. Only what is done for God will last! Written by: Nancy Harrison, March 7, 2024

Upon their release on March 1, 2024 these two men would have been left at this bus station in Florence without anywhere to go and only the clothes on their back... Take a deep breath and think about that. No job. No food. No money. No transportation. Now you may be thinking – don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time… Yes, people need to experience justice when they’ve committed crimes. (You can learn more about justice and mercy working together in this blog post.) I agree. But they also need to experience mercy if they are going to get their lives back on track. This picture displays the heart of those who partner with us. We show up on the scene. Not to be the heroes who rescue. Not with a handout But with a hand up. With opportunity With encouragement With accountability With a plan and support so they can navigate out of desperate situations. We’ve picked up a lot of people at the bus station who would’ve been homeless after incarceration. Now they are reunited with family, employed, active in good works, and homeowners. After nine years in this line of work, I’ve realized that those served are able to move towards a life they never dreamed possible. And those doing the serving and giving experience joy and fulfillment in a way they never have before. We aren't just meeting needs, we are solving a problem. Join us. Learn more and consider giving to support these kind of transformational opportunities. Cary Sanders CEO, UMPSTART SC

Proposed Opportunity Center: JUMPSTART SC has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund. This launches a three-year partnership, supporting the Opportunity Center at Restoration Village, a transitional housing community in Wellford, South Carolina. Greenville, SC, (Feb. 15, 2024) – JUMPSTART SC today announced it received a grant from the Truist Community Catalyst Initiative—a three-year program supporting local initiatives with statewide impact funded by the Truist Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. This grant will support a comprehensive resource hub for formerly incarcerated individuals, providing them with essential tools and support to reintegrate into the workforce and society. The partnership aims to equip participants with essential life skills, financial literacy, and workforce development training. It will facilitate ongoing support and assistance, fostering supportive relationships for transformation. Participants will have the opportunity to acquire transferable culinary skills at an onsite culinary arts facility. Moreover, participants are provided with stable, safe, and affordable living conditions throughout their two years in the program. Employment opportunities will be available through JUMPSTART's employer network. Additionally, 200 individuals will receive guidance in securing reliable transportation. Lastly, a significant aim of the partnership is that 50 individuals graduating from JUMPSTART will become homeowners during this three-year period. Cary Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of JUMPSTART SC states that, “As partners like Truist and others come along side us, we are able to provide men and women with transformational opportunities to get their lives back on track. When men and women experience restoration, cycles of crime and addiction are broken, and our entire community wins.” “Truist is proud to support JUMPSTART SC’s important work,” said Alex Brame, Truist regional president of South Carolina. “Our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and supporting organizations such as JUMPSTART SC helps us make a positive impact where we work and live.” About JUMPSTART SC In cooperation with donors, churches, and the community, JUMPSTART disciples current and former prisoners and assists with re-entry into society. We accomplish our mission through a holistic residential program and community partnerships to address the spiritual, educational, employment, healthcare, housing, and family relationship needs. About the Truist Charitable Fund The Truist Charitable Fund ("TCF") is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development, career pathways, small business, and community services. To learn more about Truist's purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we-are/about-truist

Programs don’t spark change. People do. There’s a famous program that talks a lot about their efforts in reducing recidivism. We are not going to call them out by name, because that’s not what we’re about. But … trust us. You’ve heard of them. They do not have as much good will as they claim. In reality, all they do is toss former inmates in an 8-week program. A program that’s funded nicely by government grants. They get inexpensive labor and call it job training. There are no relationships. There are no real connections. There is no pathway towards real opportunity. And, as a result, the program this company runs isn’t very effective. That’s what sets JUMPSTART SC apart. We are committed to investing in people. We are committed to linking arms for the long haul. We are committed to relationships. Instead of handing someone a bus ticket and helping them write a resume … We go to hiring managers directly and fight for our program participants. Instead of helping them find rental ads online … We are building a community for them to live in. Instead of 8-week courses on how to avoid going back to jail … We invest years in our participants, giving them the tools and guiding them in their faith, helping them transform from the inside, out. JUMPSTART isn’t about a program. It’s about people who can have a bright future when others invest. Which is why South Carolina has the lowest recidivism rate in the nation. JUMPSTART SC is in 19 of South Carolina’s 21 prisons. And we’re just getting started. Join us. Get Involved Today

Jon Ozmint served in the US Navy before earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1990. He then spent five years working for the South Carolina Attorney General’s office and another eight years as the Director of South Carolina’s Department of Corrections. Since 2013, he has led the Ozmint Firm, providing various legal services.    Jon first learned of JUMPSTART during his time at the DOC and was won over to the mission when he saw how real accountability and standards were changing lives. When Jon’s time on another board expired, he saw it as God’s perfect timing to join JUMPSTART’s mission.    “Salvation is by grace, but the proof of Christianity is that a changed person will live a changed life… When you see that change in folks who really were once broken—the most broken—it’s easy to believe in what JUMPSTART does.”    Jon received the Order of Palmetto in 2011, and in 2013, he won SC Lawyers Weekly ’s Leadership in Law Award. He is particularly passionate about how the ministry is producing disciples for Christ for true life change. He and his wife Luanne attend Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Greenville and have four children and one grandchild (with more on the way).

JUMPSTART was dreamed up on Chuck Fields’s back porch during a conversation between him, Don Williams, and Tim Terry, so he’s been there since before the beginning. Having experienced incarceration firsthand, Chuck knows what it’s like to lose everything and how vital the transition process is to restoring both individuals and families.    He earned a degree in finance from Wofford College and has worked in real estate during his entire career, including owning an appraisal company, Paradigm Appraisal Service, Inc. Throughout his service to JUMPSTART, he’s also hosted nearly fifty men at his home to mentor them on their path to recovery.    “JUMPSTART matters because people get confused about life… What I’ve found is life is hard for everyone and we all get lots of grace in life and sometimes we need hard things to get our attention to get us to where we need to be, where God has a plan for our lives.”    Chuck met Lynn, the love of his life, in 1990 and they were married three months later. They raised their daughter Stevie together and were married for thirty-three years before her passing. He is a member of Hope Point Church in Spartanburg and stresses that God is the true founder of JUMPSTART—and he can’t wait to see what God does next.

A lifelong resident of Spartanburg, Tommy Holt began working at the age of eleven before going off to earn his degree from Clemson. From there, he spent some time working in the medical field, working in corporate, and has spent the last thirty years as an entrepreneur, investor, and consultant, including founding Hardwood Bridge, LLC.    Tommy’s involvement in homeless ministries led to him learning about JUMPSTART, especially when he saw how many people had been incarcerated and ended up homeless due to the obstacles they faced after release. Where most see problems, Tommy sees opportunities.    “I like to work on the hard problems. I like the things where people say, ‘Well, that’s just not possible…’ That just motivates me and energizes me … Jumpstart graciously offered me an opportunity to get involved, and I haven’t looked back since.”    With this energy, Tommy is passionate about helping people overcome the everyday challenges when they’re returning to society and learning how to be successful. He’s an avid believer in the power of social enterprise to provide our residents with a future and loves how JUMPSTART is “in the business of destroying recidivism.” He and his wife Lynn attend Hope Point Church, have raised a son and daughter together, and are proud grandparents.

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Dr. Michael Scharff served as a decorated officer in the US Army from 1983 to 1994, ending his military career as Comptroller for a Special Ops organization. He earned his bachelor’s in Business Administration from the Citadel and went on to earn his MBA at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. He earned his doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix in 2006, where he also won Dissertation of the Year.    Since 2006, he has been on the faculty of Limestone University, where he is a professor of Business Administration and Dean of the College of Business. He also chairs the Global Experience Committee, which allows students the opportunity to study abroad.    “It’s not surprising that people end up right back where they started because we didn’t really set them up for success… And that’s really what JUMPSTART is about—to jumpstart their success.”    Dr. Scharff has written for numerous educational publications and led academic presentations, as well as served in a number of children’s ministries. He lives in Spartanburg with his wife Deb, with whom he just celebrated thirty years of marriage, and enjoys following football—which the rest of the US calls “soccer.”

Bob Caldwell, Sr. is a graduate of The Citadel and served the US in Vietnam as part of the 5th Special Forces Group. In 1975, he founded Grace Management Group, a family-held collection of businesses headquartered in Spartanburg, and includes one of the largest home fragrance manufacturers in the country.    In addition to serving with JUMPSTART, he has also been instrumental in working with other nonprofits, including Rice Bowls, which feeds orphaned children in developing nations, the South Carolina Christian Foundation, and Upward Sports.    He and his wife Sylvia are active members at Hope Point Church in Spartanburg and have four grown children, nineteen grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Outside of his extensive ministry work, you’ll find him spending time with all the grandchildren, including leading book clubs with them.

Donald Spann earned a degree in Physical Education and Health from the College of Charleston with an emphasis in Sports Medicine. Afterward, he spent nearly a decade working in athletics, including with the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Knicks, St. Louis Cardinals, and Western Kentucky University. He then returned to South Carolina when he transitioned into pharmaceutical sales. Today, you can find him serving as a Campus Pastor for Grace Church in Greenville.    Since 2007, he has served on numerous school improvement councils and nonprofit boards, including as a current board member for JUMPSTART SC. Donald and his wife Mary Beth have four children and one grandchild, and he has helped lead over fifteen international mission trips from Kenya to Puerto Rico.

Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Mike Kirakides graduated from Clemson University in 1988 before going into his family’s business to hone his operations and management skills. Afterwards, he went into commercial real estate with the Furman Company before co-founding KDS Commercial Properties, a brokerage and development firm.    In 2016, he was contacted by Bill White to serve with JUMPSTART where Mike’s talents for real estate proved instrumental in the development of Restoration Village. Once he learned about the challenges facing men and women coming out of prison, he was moved to help remove those hurdles and officially joined the board in 2017.    “As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, we’re all called to serve… We all have a gift. Everybody has something to offer.”    As a firm believer in second chances, Mike’s vision for JUMPSTART is to see more lives changed through the Gospel. And because he doesn’t believe we should put God in a box, he hopes to see the ministry grow into a thriving community that can be replicated for greater impact. He’s been married to his wife Debbie for thirty years and they have three daughters together. Since 2009, they have been faithful members of Grace Church.