Support for every step home.

Seven connected programs serving formerly incarcerated individuals in Columbia, SC, designed to restore hope, rebuild lives, and help people rediscover purpose.

Program

Transitional Housing

A safe place to live and grow.

Coming home starts with somewhere safe to land. Our transitional housing gives returning citizens a stable, supportive environment where they can rest, regroup, and begin rebuilding daily life with structure and encouragement.

A safe, supportive place to land after release
Structure that helps healthy routines take root
A bridge toward independent living
Connected to coaching, recovery and spiritual support

Program

GED Preparation

Education opens doors to brighter futures.

Our founder’s own journey shows what education can unlock. We walk alongside participants as they prepare for the GED, building confidence, study habits, and the belief that learning is still for them.

Encouragement and accountability while you study
Preparation focused on passing the GED
Confidence for the classroom and the workplace
A first step toward further education and training

Program

On-the-Job Training

Real experience for real careers.

Learning happens best by doing. Our on-the-job training gives participants hands-on work experience, practical skills and the confidence to step into steady employment, along with the habits and references that help them keep it.

Hands-on experience in a real work setting
Practical job skills employers look for
Reliability, teamwork and professional habits
A pathway toward steady employment

Program

Financial Literacy

Building skills for long-term stability.

Stability lasts when people know how to manage what they earn. We teach practical money skills that help participants plan, save, and make wise decisions as they rebuild.

Budgeting and everyday money management
Building saving habits
Understanding credit and financial responsibility
Planning for long-term stability

Program

Life Coaching & Mentorship

Guidance, accountability, and support.

Nobody rebuilds alone. Led by certified life coaches with lived experience, our coaching and mentorship offers honest guidance, steady accountability, and someone in your corner who understands the road.

Coaching from leaders who have walked this road
Goal setting with real accountability
Mentorship that builds character and confidence
Support through setbacks, not just milestones

Program

Recovery Support

Healing hearts and renewing minds.

For many, freedom also means breaking free from addiction. Our recovery support is shaped by Co-Founder Heyward Mills Sr., who achieved sobriety and became a Life Recovery Coach, so participants are met with understanding, not judgment.

Support from a certified Life Recovery Coach
Encouragement toward lasting sobriety
Accountability that strengthens recovery
Healing that reaches the heart and mind

Program

Spiritual Guidance

Faith, strength, and a purpose-driven life.

Faith is at the heart of Unchained Grace. Through spiritual guidance from a board-certified chaplain, participants are encouraged to discover the purpose God has for them and walk in it boldly.

Guidance from a board-certified chaplain
Prayer and faith-centered encouragement
Christian counseling perspective
Discovering and walking in purpose

Questions

Frequently asked

Who does Unchained Grace serve?

We serve formerly incarcerated men and women who are transitioning back into society in Columbia, South Carolina and surrounding communities.

How do I get started or refer someone?

Call us at 803-848-6251, email info@unchainedgraceinc.org, or send a message through our contact page. Tell us a little about your situation and we will follow up with next steps.

Is Unchained Grace a faith-based organization?

Yes. Spiritual guidance is one of our seven pillars, and our mission is to help people walk boldly into the purpose God has for them. Our founder is a board-certified chaplain with a PhD in Christian Counseling.

Who leads the programs?

Unchained Grace was founded by two people who experienced incarceration within the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Founder and Executive Director Dr. Latoya Jones-Mills holds a PhD in Christian Counseling and multiple coaching credentials, and Co-Founder Heyward Mills Sr. is a Life Recovery Coach.

Can my church, business or organization partner with you?

Yes. We welcome churches, employers, housing providers, educators and community organizations. Visit our Get Involved page or call us to start the conversation.

Start the Conversation Call 803-848-6251