A small group of volunteers, with the support of the Tyger River Correctional Institution’s chaplain, began ministering to the inmates at Tyger River. This group consisted mostly of retired men and women who went into the prison during the normal work-day. Two of our founding members worked night-time vocational jobs (one in janitorial office work and the other in pizza delivery) to support themselves and their families so they could answer God’s calling on their lives– Prison Ministry. These men along with their wives met together to talk through their “calling”, the challenges/struggles which were primarily financial. They discussed how the three of them might partner in the mission of “setting the captives free,” and the vision of JUMPSTART was born.

Today, more than 100 volunteers each week serve the needs of those in 19 prisons located throughout South Carolina. Our leadership team and staff work tirelessly to bring hope to those in prison who have often given up. The responses we see every week inspire us to do more. And that’s exactly what we are doing. The JUMPSTART story continues to deepen and the lives we are reaching are being transformed by God’s grace.