Cary Sanders
Chief Executive Officer
Our History
Since 2005, God has been at work through JUMPSTART
What began inside prison walls has grown into one of South Carolina’s most effective discipleship and reentry programs. Our founder, once among the state’s largest drug traffickers, met Christ in prison and—together with three others—launched a movement that continues to transform lives today.
Don Williams Begins Employment Readiness Program
Starts working with SCWORKS and Federal Probation to help returning citizens secure jobs and stability.
JUMPSTART Officially Forms
Don Williams and others combine forces, merging employment readiness with discipleship. Volunteers begin ministering at Tyger River Correctional.
JUMPSTART Board Established
The board meets and files for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The first Inside Classes launch in four South Carolina prisons.
First Transitional Home Opens
JUMPSTART purchases its first home to support participants reentering society through the Outside Program.
Program Expands to 10 Prisons
The Inside Program grows across South Carolina. JUMPSTART receives its first $15,000 grant from the South Carolina Christian Foundation.
Employment Program Launches
Begins with one employer partner, offering real work opportunities for participants. Second Presbyterian Church provides “Our Father’s House” renovated into a 16-bed transitional with Hope Point Church and Carpenters for Christ.
Expanded Facilities and Office Space
Second Presbyterian provides another 6-bedroom house for office use. JUMPSTART purchased 2 multi-family properties, adding 30 more beds.
Statewide Recognition
JUMPSTART is named one of South Carolina’s most impactful nonprofits by the Secretary of State.
National Recognition and Vision for Tomorrow
World Magazine names JUMPSTART among the top four of over 2,000 entries for the HOPE Award for Effective Compassion. JUMPSTART launches the Vision for Tomorrow campaign to consolidate properties into one campus: Restoration Village.
Land Purchased for Restoration Village
JUMPSTART purchases 26 acres to begin developing the transformational housing campus.
Board Commitment Secured
Restoration Village receives 100% board pledges and a matching campaign to fund initial development.
Groundbreaking for Restoration Village
JUMPSTART breaks ground, and construction begins on the new campus.
First Homes Completed
The first houses for Restoration Village are finished. JUMPSTART launches My New Journey—a transitional program combining theological scholarship and social science research.
Recognized as a Top SC Nonprofit by Truist Bank
JUMPSTART receives recognition and funding from Spartanburg County Foundation, Mary Black Foundation, South Carolina Christian Foundation, and others.
Indigo Hope Foundation Gift Match Raises Over 1.7+ Million
The first JUMPSTART Gift Match Challenge fully funds the Indigo Hope Center, paving the way for a state-of-the-art hub for job training, culinary arts, and community gatherings.
Grand Opening of the Indigo Hope Center
The newly built Indigo Hope Center holds the first transitional program graduation on-site. The culinary arts program and JUMPSTART Catering & Events is launched.
Our Values
Love God & Love People
Our words and deeds reflect that we love God and our neighbors. Love is patient, kind, sacrificial, truthful, and is not jealous, easily irritated, boastful, or arrogant.
Live & Work for God's Applause
Making God smile by partnering with Him in our work brings us true joy and fulfillment. We work as though working for the LORD and what we do for others is recognized by Jesus as done for Him.
Collaborate, Innovate, & Implement Best Practices
Everyone can make a valuable contribution. Through creativity and resourcefulness, we maximize current opportunities and fuel future growth. We research and implement the best practices in order to provide top-notch service and results.
Have Fun While Giving Our Best
Our joy is contagious and enables us to achieve outcomes that are only possible when others joyfully partner with us. Our enthusiasm fuels motivation and reinforces our resolve to go above and beyond in our vision of eradicating recidivism.
Measure & Celebrate Results
We routinely analyze outcomes and feedback to understand how we will improve. We regularly celebrate all the great things God is doing.
Leadership Team
Meet the men and women behind JUMPSTART South Carolina.
Catherine Davis
Chief Innovation Officer
Don Williams
Director of Community Relations
Justin Durrell
Director of Landscape Operations
Amanda Balint
Director of Creative Design & Events
Toby Fleming
Director of Pastoral and Community Care
Greg Tiller
Inside Program Director
Jeremy Walker
Inside Program Administrator
Roger Campana
Executive Chef
Peyton Silvius
Marketing Director
Anthony Mullinax
Transitional Program Director
Abby Redden
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Kaitlin Attard
Transitional Program Director of Operations
Matthew C. Smith
House Manager
Waylon Waldrop
Transitional Program Specialist
Abigail Wilson
Digital Content & Engagement Specialist
Will Attard
Transition Program Coordinator
Board of Directors
Mark Essex
Board Chair
Dr. Michael Scharff
Board Member
Dr. Gwen Johnson
Board Member
Chuck Fields
Board Member
Donald Spann
Board Member
Jon Jamison
Board Member
Mike Kiriakides
Board Member
Bob Caldwell, Sr.
Board Member
Gwen Bright
Board Member
Jon Ozmint
Board Member
Sharon McDowell
Treasurer
Jim Foster
Board Member
Give today transform
tomorrow.
Each gift goes directly toward the mission to share God’s light, restore lives, and prepare people for life beyond prison.
Supporting Organizations
Spreading Hope Nationwide
JUMPSTART South Carolina is part of a growing network of states across the country. Together, we share God’s light and transformational opportunities so that, through Christ, men and women can experience a future greater than their past.