About Us
Xtreme SOULutions is a 501c3 Not for Profit organization founded by Blaine Whitt in 2005 to help the families of Marion County, Florida by working with inmates to help them prepare for reentry to society.
What's taught?
The curriculum consists of 21 Core Classes, and each class runs for 12 weeks in 2-hour sessions.
- Participants are required to take three classes each semester and attend weekly family and wing meetings and monthly community meetings. Celebration Sunday Services are voluntary.
- Completion depends on the man’s availability, personal abilities, and aptitude but generally takes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years.
- Additional opportunities to grow are available, for example, Instructor and Leadership Training.
- An assessment is done of each participant’s gifts, such as writing, art, managerial, administrative, and wherever possible, that gift is encouraged through particular assignments. For example, those with artistic talents will work on murals.
- We work closely with Classifications, Education and the TIER Program to ensure the success of individuals.
- The Xtreme SOULutions core curriculum was accredited in 2018 by the FDC clearinghouse.
- Upon completion of all of our classes, FDC has agreed to note the participant’s graduation from the Xtreme SOULutions program on the FDC screen.
- Additional job training programs are available as electives, such as Food Manager and Agricultural.
Blaine's Story
Pastor Blaine Whitt, has a passion for serving others. He knows all too well that it is in the “soul” of men and women, and the inner workings of the system where change needs to take place. It is because of this that Xtreme SOULutions was born…
Blaine Whitt was born in Orange Park, Florida and was raised in Palm Beach County. During his youth, Blaine struggled with substance abuse and a hot temper, often landing him on the doorstep of trouble, but always just coming short of being arrested. Not until much later did he realize that God was guiding his path.
In 1982, he relocated his construction company to Marion County, where he empowered men and women for the business world and work force. In 1986, he was born again through Christ. He has taught leadership development in Africa, Honduras, Trinidad, Canada and various parts of the United States for over 20 years. With his first wife and oldest daughter, Blaine established and operated a Bible School in Warri, Nigeria. Throughout the years, he has personally mentored high school and college students, business owners and community leaders. Blaine’s greatest pleasure has been the privilege of sharing the gospel with men and women in eight different countries.
Blaine was the Founder and Senior Pastor of Christian Disciples International. He was deeply troubled by the pattern of behavior that led young people, families and even whole cultures into a state of hopelessness. The epidemic of drug addiction, alcoholism, unemployment, divorce, depression and other dysfunctions that leads to a repetitive cycle of personal crises, moved him to do something to help.
After volunteering in the Faith-based program at Marion Correctional Institute for several years, the opportunity arose to start an in-depth faith-based reentry ministry at MCI. Blaine felt God had been preparing him for this challenge so in 2005, he formed Xtreme SOULutions. With a team of like-minded individuals who have a heart to help empower people be all that God has created them for, he designed a strategic program to address these needs and help create a new and better pathway for men.
With up to 202 men enrolled in Operation Launch at MCI, there is always a full schedule of classes for them to choose from. The objective is to spend up to 36 months prior to the end of sentence date working with a man to develop his spiritual, social and community skills so that when he walks out the gate he will be ready to re-enter society. Classes include anger management, marriage and family counseling, employment readiness, financial management and much more.
Blaine served for several years on the Florida Faith Based & Community Based Advisory Council, Faith & Justice Coalition, and Public Policy Institute helping each of these State agencies achieve and explore areas for positive change in our communities.
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After losing his wife of 45 years, Blaine was blessed to find new love and a dedicated partner in Kimberly, who has been an XS board member, volunteer and friend for many years. Between Blaine’s two daughters and Kim’s two sons, they now have 13 grandchildren. They recharge their batteries by raising chickens and bees, delighting their friends with fresh eggs and honey when the creatures are cooperating.
Blaine's greatest passions are loving and serving Jesus Christ, mentoring men in their walk with Jesus and making a difference in peoples’ lives.
Blaine Whitt, Founder and President
