The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina recently awarded Caritas grants for the fall 2018 grant cycle. These grants bear the name of one of the guiding principles of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, in omnibus caritas, meaning “in all things charity.” Caritas grants are awarded to organizations meeting fundamental needs of individuals and families experiencing poverty in South Carolina. These organizations often act as a lifeline in their communities and provide valuable services to those they serve. In total, 75 organizations were awarded Caritas spring 2018 funding for a total of $265,450.00. The Foundation is proud to announce their partnerships with the following recipients:
Anderson Free Clinic
Committed to providing quality primary care for the uninsured, Anderson Free Clinic’s mission is to serve the health care needs of the underserved citizens of Anderson County through community engagement and partnerships with those who care. Funding will support the Clinic’s chronic disease management programming including medication, medical supplies, services, and care navigators to provide intensive follow-up to assist patients in managing their chronic conditions. Located in and serving Anderson County
Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS)
The mission of ACTS is to partner with churches, organizations and individuals to provide assistance to neighbors in need in the name of Jesus Christ. Funding will support services for those in Aiken who are living below poverty guidelines and seeking assistance with rent, utilities, medical expenses, transportation expenses such as vehicle repairs, and other essentials that will improve quality of life, including GED’s, professional licensure, and child care expenses. Located in and serving Aiken County
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired- Charleston
Funding will support the Own Your Life program that empowers participants with independent living skills and job-readiness skills. Through this program, people who cannot afford to pay for individual care learn how to function without their vision. These adults experience a sense of freedom in learning to live without sighted assistance and the program helps others break the cycle of poverty by helping them get jobs. Own Your Life also gives clients hope that they can live a better life and do not have to be defined by their disability. Located in Charleston; also serving Dorchester and Berkeley Counties
Beyond Our Walls
Beyond Our Walls (BOW) provides a neighborhood learning center for children and their families living in Title I Federally Funded School Zones. Funding will support their Joint Literacy Project activities, taking place in this neighborhood learning center, conveniently located within walking and short commute distances to the Dorchester Terrace and Dorchester Waylyn neighborhoods in North Charleston, SC. BOW fills a gap in the community by offering a safe and engaging learning setting, access to technology, and opportunities for neighbors to connect and learn with one another. Located in Charleston County; also serving Dorchester and Berkeley Counties
Birthright of Georgetown
Funds will be used to purchase diapers for new moms and their babies who participate in the Birthright of Georgetown program. By reducing the cost burden of diapers, new moms are able to redirect their resources to other expenses and improve health outcomes of their babies. By offering these items without charge, staff are able to see the mother and child periodically and can continue mentoring and assisting these families as needed. Located in Georgetown County; also serving Williamsburg County
Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine
Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine is a volunteer-driven free medical clinic whose goal is to provide comprehensive care focusing on the immediate acute need and the long term health goals of their patients. The clinic serves patients without health insurance, many of whom seek treatment for acute conditions requiring MRIs and X-rays in order to properly diagnose the condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Funding will cover the cost of imaging and laboratory services. Located in Beaufort County also serving Jasper County
Bluffton Self Help
Funding will support Bluffton Self Help’s emergency financial assistance program which offers emergency financial assistance to neighbors in need to help cover an unexpected expense that, if left unpaid, could send a family into a financial freefall from which they may not recover. Requests include assistance with mortgage payments, utilities, emergency car repairs, dental or medical expenses, or child care. BSH staff and volunteers also work with community agencies to connect neighbors with other services they may need. Located in Beaufort County also serving Jasper County
Bridges For End-Of-Life
Bridges For End-of-Life’s mission is to empower families to navigate together a broad spectrum of issues encountered before, during, and after the death of a loved one. Funding will support families experiencing poverty participating in their Stepping Stones program that helps participants develop healthy coping skills and avoid negative coping skills. High-quality grief support is a powerful enabler of academic achievement, social & emotional development, healthy self-esteem, and a cultivator of resilience that will enable participants to better navigate future challenges. Located in Charleston County; also serving Dorchester and Berkeley Counties
CareFirst Carolina Foundation
Currently, there is no full time dental practice located in Lee County, SC. With a 27.7% poverty rate as well as few full time jobs available and few jobs that include dental insurance, there is an urgent need for dental services in this area. Funding will cover costs associated with equipment purchases for the new dental clinic opening in November 2018, ensuring that people living in poverty in Lee County will have access to high quality comprehensive dental care. Located in and Serving Lee County
Caring And Sharing, Inc
Caring and Sharing is a volunteer driven organization located in Hemingway, SC. The group’s main focus is to assist residents in this rural area of Georgetown who are trying to exist on $200-$700 a month. The organization offers emergency financial assistance as well as operates a food bank. Funding will go toward the purchase of food for their food bank as well as financial support for clients in crisis who need assistance with rent, utility payments, automotive expenses, and other expenses. Located in Williamsburg County; also serving Georgetown, Florence, and Marion Counties
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charleston
Funding will support the RENEW Prison Ministry. This ministry assists individuals that are either recently released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) and experiencing homelessness, or due to be released within six months and have been determined to be predisposed to homelessness. The program is based at Manning Reentry/ Work Release Center, Camille Graham Correctional Facility and downtown Columbia and works with participants to identify and address their needs when they are released to ensure their success. Located in Richland; Serving Statewide
Charleston Legal Access
Charleston Legal Access (CLA) is closing the justice gap by offering low cost legal services to clients that do not qualify for free legal services but who cannot afford a private attorney. CLA represents clients who are dealing with issues including invalid debt collection, evictions, landlord-tenant disputes, wage theft, and financial exploitation. By providing legal help at these critical moments, CLA has preserved $1,014,478 for low-income South Carolinians helping them achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Funding will support legal services at this nonprofit, sliding scale law firm. Located in Charleston; also serving Dorchester and Berkeley Counties
Childrens Cancer Centers of the Carolinas
The mission of the Children’s Cancer Centers of the Carolinas is to provide comprehensive support and loving compassion to families whose children are battling cancer to improve their overall quality of life by providing emotional, logistical and financial assistance, focusing on those needs that will ensure the child has timely and complete access to lifesaving treatment. Funding will assist families with financial emergencies such as evictions, auto repossessions, and utility shutoffs that could potentially devastate families jeopardize their child’s cancer treatment. Located in Spartanburg County; Serving Statewide
Children’s Recovery Center, Inc.
The Children’s Recovery Center is a multidisciplinary child advocacy center whose mission is to provide forensic interviews, physical exams and advocacy to children who are victims of sexual and physical assault. Funding will support laboratory costs associated with STI testing as part of forensic medical exams for children being seen at CRC. By removing the cost barrier associated with these tests, children are tested the same day as their medical exam and prescriptions to begin healing can be started sooner. Located in Horry County; also serving Georgetown Count
Churches Assisting People
CAP seeks to eliminate food insecurity in the Conway area by ministering to neighbors with programs that provide food, promote healthy eating, and increase self-sufficiency. For the last 35 years, CAP has operated as an emergency food pantry. Funding will be used to support their transition from a traditional emergency food pantry to a client-choice wellness pantry. This transition will allow clients to select foods that suit their household needs and/or manage chronic health conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease) in a relaxed, inviting, and dignified space. Located in and serving Horry County
Classy Smiles
Funding will support this school-based dental prevention program working with the cooperation of schools, Head Starts and First Steps programs. Nurses and healthcare representatives at these schools help identify children that qualify for services due to the child failing an oral screening, not having an established dental home, or children that have come to them in pain. By providing dental services at school, the program breaks down the barriers that have kept participants from receiving needed dental care, including transportation, financial constraints, language barriers, and parents’ works schedules. Located in Georgetown; also serving Barnwell, Clarendon, Colleton, Horry, and Williamsburg Counties
Coastal District Council St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Claire of Assisi chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was formed after the historic floods of 2015 and grew from a handful of volunteers to a board consisting of retired carpenters, electricians, contractors, medical professionals, social workers and business people. Funds will be used to support costs associated with home repairs for residents of rural Berkeley County, bringing relief to families living in unsafe conditions, many of whom reside on heirs’ property. Located in and serving Berkeley County
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Project SAFE (Sewer Access for Everyone) is a collaboration of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the Town of Hilton Head Island and Hilton Head Public Service District. It provides grants to low-to-moderate income property owners to pay for connection to public sewers which eliminates failing or non-functioning septic systems. By eliminating these malfunctioning septic systems, this project positively impacts the households served along with the area’s public health, economic health and ecological health. Located in and serving Beaufort
Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach
The mission of CCMB is to provide free hot nutritious meals to anyone who is hungry and eliminate hunger in the local community. Funding will support their Childhood Hunger Prevention Initiative (CHIP) which provides after-school nutritious snacks and drinks, teen dinner meals, and a summer feeding program to 4,275 children participating in programming at nonprofit partner sites throughout the Myrtle Beach area. Located in and serving Horry
Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County
Funding will support Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County’s holistic care which includes primary medical care, health coaching, and mental health counseling for local residents that meet the eligibility criteria. CMC serves as a central hub connecting needed resources together to create a healthier community for Kershaw County residents. Care coordination services include assistance finding a primary care provider, medical treatment assistance in managing medications, enrollment in other programs and health coaching. Located in and serving Kershaw County
Developmental Center for Exceptional Children
Funding will support the purchase of adaptive equipment and supplies for the Development Center for Exceptional Children’s classrooms. Items to assist children with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorders and severe ADHD would include weighted vests and blankets (these items provide additional input to the muscles and joints and have a calming effect), cradling chairs, fidget seating and ball seating options for each classroom to provide safe, calming seating options as opposed to typical stationary chairs during group times. Located in Anderson County; also serving Pickens and Oconee Counties
East Cooper Community Outreach
ECCO offers families experiencing financial distress a range of support services including emergency food, clothing, financial assistance, ongoing health and dental care, individualized case management, budgeting and computer training, career preparedness coaching, and opportunities to build personal assets for future economic stability. Funds will support the organization’s operating expenses that will ensure the effective delivery of wrap-around services encompassing three main program areas: Basic Needs, Health Services, and Empowerment. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton and Georgetown Counties
Eau Claire Shalom Ministries
Funding will support Tutor Eau Claire, a program committed to serving people in the community who struggle with reading. Tutor Eau Claire’s core program is their Reading and Dyslexia Resource Center. The mission of the Dyslexia Resource Center is to help struggling readers by raising awareness of dyslexia, providing affordable reading intervention, and training teachers in evidence-based reading instruction. Funding will support coordination of their programming and continued outreach and support to those living in poverty who struggle with literacy. Located in Richland County; also serving Lexington County
Edisto Indian Free Clinic
Funding will support medical care at The Edisto Indian Free Clinic (EIFC), a not-for-profit medical clinic located in Ridgeville, SC, that provides primary medical care, medications, and laboratory tests at no cost to individuals without insurance who are earning 200% of poverty or less. EIFC addresses barriers to health care in the community by providing free medical care to patients at a location in a highly rural community where the next closest health care provider is at least 30 minutes away by car. Located in Dorchester County; also serving Charleston, Berkeley, Colleton and Beaufort Counties
Family Promise of Anderson County
The mission of Family Promise of Anderson County is to end homelessness for children and their families by uniting local congregations through an Interfaith Hospitality Network to provide shelter, food, and the necessary tools needed for families to regain their independence. Funding will support case management services for three programs of Family Promise with the ultimate goal of helping guests gain sustainable employment, obtain the services needed to sustain their family (e.g. child care, transportation), and secure safe and affordable permanent housing. Located in Anderson County; also serving Abbeville, Oconee, Pickens and Greenville Counties
Freedom Readers Inc.
The mission of Freedom Readers is to improve reading skills in low-income communities by providing one-to-one literacy tutoring, free books for home libraries, and an inspiring, high-energy learning environment. Programming uniquely targets children in grades K-5 who need opportunities to practice their school-based literacy skills in a structured environment. Freedom Readers assists interested community volunteers in organizing and identifying families that want to participate, then supporting the group with engaging curriculum and extensive training. Located in Horry County; also serving Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties
Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs
Momentum Bike Clubs seek to transform the lives of young people through a comprehensive youth development program using the platform of cycling to foster and sustain mentoring relationships. MBC engages young people facing multiple risk factors beginning in middle school and continuing through college enrollment. Funding will support their Challenge Team Program that provides mentoring support, advanced cycling opportunities, internships, youth seminars, and workforce readiness that empowers high school youth to build resilience in pursuit of a meaningful and engaged life. Located in and serving Greenville County
Friendship Place
Friendship Place is a Christian organization that exists to provide food and shelter to neighbors experiencing food insecurity and/or homelessness and creatively meet the unmet needs of the Georgetown County Community. Funding will support their Georgetown Eats program, which provides neighbors living at or below the federal poverty level in Georgetown County nutritious, hot meals every weekday from 11am-12pm in a warm, welcoming environment. Located in and serving Georgetown County
Golden Corner Food Pantry
Golden Corner Food Pantry provides emergency and supplemental food to residents of Oconee County, South Carolina. Eligible clients can receive a food package once every 30 days; the package includes a box of non-perishable foods, milk, eggs, frozen meats, fresh produce and bread, refrigerated items and even some sweet treats, and is enough to last for about two weeks. Funding will support their Improved Nutrition Program which provides fresh and healthy items in these food packages. Located in and serving Oconee County
Good Samaritan Clinic
The Good Samaritan Clinic provides quality medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care to individuals and families in Columbia who cannot afford medical health insurance coverage, and cannot pay for medical care. In addition to providing access to care, the Clinic provides health care education to improve patients’ health and quality of life and is well-known in the community as “La Clinica Hispana.” Funding will support general operating expenses. Serving Colleton, Charleston, Lexington, Richland, and Saluda Counties
Great Falls Referral Assistance Service Project (GRASP)
Funding will support the GRASP Community Enrichment Program, providing short-term crisis assistance to individuals and families in the community and also provide resources to lift them out of poverty. GRASP’s services include hunger relief through a food pantry, assistance with utilities and prescriptions, and resource referrals. Through a close network of partner agencies, neighbors are provided resources such as education, job skills training, job placement, financial assistance and long term prescription assistance. Located in Chester County; also serving Fairfield County
Greer Relief and Resources Agency
Funding will support Greer Relief and Resources Agency’s Safety Net Program, which is designed to give in-kind assistance, financial assistance, and case management to neighbors in need. Through intake interviewing and case management, staff go beyond meeting the immediate need (food, emergency financial assistance, etc.) and help neighbors identify their core needs and make action plans to address these issues. Greer Relief serves neighbors from the communities of Greer, Taylors, Lyman, Duncan & Wellford. Located in Greenville; also serving Spartanburg County
Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg
Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg collaborates with Spartanburg County school districts, churches and community organizations to bring its Free Pediatric Portable Dental Clinic to children in medically under served and high need areas. Dental professionals provide on-site preventative services and care including cleaning, sealants and mobile imaging. In this part of the southern Appalachian region, families face many barriers to receiving quality health care, particularly dental care. Funding will support costs associated with screenings, equipment, and dental professionals. Located in and serving Spartanburg County
Help of Beaufort
HELP of Beaufort’s mission is to build healthy communities by providing education, a safety net, and create opportunities. HELP of Beaufort operates a Wellness Pantry and a Clothing Boutique, provides Emergency Financial Assistance, and delivers nutritious lunches to individuals who are homebound. Funding will support operating costs of these programs that serve residents of Beaufort and surrounding counties. Located in Beaufort; also serving Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton
HELP of Summerville
HELP of Summerville is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization assisting families and individuals referred by local service agencies, schools and churches in times of crisis. HELP of Summerville provides financial assistance for emergency expenses including rent, food, medical needs, clothing, utility bills, and other expenses not typically covered by other agencies. Funding will support direct financial assistance. Located in Dorchester; also serving Charleston and Berkeley
Hilton Head Island Safe Harbour Inc.
Hilton Head Island Safe Harbour is a volunteer driven membership service organization that primarily provides transportation services for older adults taking them to grocery stores, medical appointments, bank and pharmacy. Hilton Head Island Safe Harbour serves a diverse population of adults between the ages of 70-95 from across the island. Funding will support expenses associated with transportation costs to meet the basic needs of members with limited financial means. Located in and serving Beaufort County
Homeless Period Project
While menstrual poverty is well-documented throughout the world, awareness of its presence in the United States is just emerging. Funding will support the Homeless Period Project’s “Period Packs” program that provides sanitary products to women and girls in schools and partner organizations in 38 South Carolina counties. By providing access and eliminating the cost of these items, Period Packs help restore dignity, support women and girls in maintaining good hygiene and health, and reduce time away from class or work. Located in Greenville County; also serving Abbeville, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Charleston, Chester, Clarendon, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, and Lexington Counties
Hope in Lancaster
HOPE in Lancaster provides assistance, resources and referrals that allow individuals and families in crisis situations the opportunity to recover from and move beyond short-term emergencies. HOPE’s Fresh and Healthy Food Initiative includes a Fresh Choice Food Pantry, serving neighbors who come to HOPE for assistance and need help with food to free up financial resources, and Senior Adult Health and Wellness Program, providing food as well as over-the-counter medications. Funds will support the Healthy Teaching Kitchen, which is available to participants in these programs. Located in Lancaster County; also serving Chester and Kershaw Counties
Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation of South Carolina
When a family is impacted by an incurable illness, they become faced with managing a household and obtaining physical, emotional and spiritual care—all while coping with anticipated death. Families experiencing both poverty and life-limiting or life-threatening illness are often faced with unexpected expenses that are exacerbated by reduction or loss of employment that so often accompanies chronic illness. Funds will support HPCF’s financial assistance program that meets the family’s most urgent needs, including payments for utilities, mortgage/rent, special medical needs, and transportation. Located in Spartanburg County; serving Statewide
Impact America
Impact America South Carolina’s mission is to engage recent graduates and college students to address community needs, empowering a generation through collaborative efforts to promote change in communities. Funding will support their FocusFirst program which provides free, high-tech vision screenings to children six months to five years of age in Head Starts and daycares using digital screening cameras. All children who fail the screening receive comprehensive follow-up care from local eye care professionals, with individualized case management. Located in Greenville County; serving Statewide
Killingsworth
Killingsworth is a transition home for adult women recovering from various crises. Killingsworth provides a supportive community by providing counseling, continuing education, spiritual development, job development, and life skills. The acquisition of these skills and programs leads a woman toward self-sufficiency and a return to community life and responsible living. Funding will support costs associated with transportation and clothing for residents. Located in Richland County; serving Statewide
Lighthouse Ministries
Lighthouse Ministries’ Service Aid Program serves families and individuals in financial crisis by preventing evictions and disconnection of utilities and supporting other basic needs such as life-sustaining prescription medications. Trained volunteer advocates meet with qualified participants to determine need and to connect participants with other resources and services within the area. This funding will be used to to prevent evictions and to provide rent deposits for families who are living in unsafe conditions and ensure that they remain housed during their time of crisis. Located in and serving Florence County
Lowcountry Food Bank
The Lowcountry Food Bank partners with 300 faith-based and non-profit organizations to distribute more than 26 million pounds of food including fresh produce to over 200,000 children, adults and seniors facing hunger in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina. Funding will support Cooking Matters at the Store tours, a free program that empowers families to stretch their food budgets, maximize benefits through public nutrition programs, use nutrition information to make healthier choices, and cook tasty, affordable meals at home. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, Colleton, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Williamsburg, and Beaufort Counties
Lowcountry Orphan Relief
When children are removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect, they don’t have time to pack a bag or grab their favorite shirt or stuffed animal. Lowcountry Orphan Relief (LOR) is a first responder during this difficult time. Funding will cover costs associated with Care Kits which are provided by LOR within the first 24 hours and consist of a durable bag full of 2-weeks-worth of new/gently used clothing, shoes, coats, stuffed animals and books and brand new underwear, toiletries and a backpack full of school supplies. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley, Dorchester, Orangeburg, Beaufort Counties
LRADAC Foundation
LRADAC’s mission is to create and support pathways for prevention and recovery from substance misuse for individuals, families, and communities. When faced with a substance use disorder, the decision to seek help is one that takes courage and fortitude but the cost of this help can be prohibitive. Individuals are stressed enough with making an exhausting and extremely hard life change and these funds allow them to enter a treatment program without the stress of an additional bill. These funds will offset the cost of substance use treatment for individuals in need of financial assistance. Located in Richland County; also serving Lexington County
Meals on Wheels of Greenville
Meals on Wheels enhances the quality of life of individuals who are unable to leave their homes and older adults in Greenville County by providing nutritious meals, personal interaction & independence. Funding will support their Continuity of Care program, which allows Meals on Wheels to maintain support of their most vulnerable clients by delivering frozen evening meals and/or frozen weekend meals. This program was designed to supplement the daily hot meal and prevent hunger and malnutrition for individuals who are most in need of MOW’s support. Located in and serving Greenville County
Mental Health America Aiken
Nurture Home’s mission is to facilitate lasting change for families headed by single women and single women who are experiencing homelessness. Participants in Nurture Home transitional program are provided individualized intervention and are guided through structured requirements in a safe environment to make lifestyle and vocational changes. Funding will support operating expenses of this transitional model shelter where a typical stay lasts close to nine months, during which time residents receive intensive support and develop a plan for their future. Located in and serving Aiken County
Midlands Housing Alliance
The mission of Midlands Housing Alliance is to engage and equip adults experiencing homelessness in the Midlands to transition into stability and permanent housing. Funding will support their Youth Program, providing a stability, safety, and time needed for participants to gain life and job skills needed for adult life as independent and self-sufficient individuals. This program is unique in offering both housing and classes to address the unique issues facing unaccompanied youth. Located inRichland County; also serving Allendale, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and York Counties
North Greenville Crisis Ministry
Funding will support North Greenville Food Crisis Ministry’s food assistance program, providing critically needed nutritious support for individuals and families. NGFCM finds that many of their clients are forced to choose between food, rent, medications, utilities, and other expenses at any given time. The Ministry offsets food costs and provides nutritious and balanced food to families every two months. Provisions include frozen meats, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables canned fruits and vegetables, rice, dried beans, pasta, bread, eggs, cheese, and cereal. Located in and serving Greenville County
Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund
Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund provides immediate assistance to individuals experiencing a financial crisis along with referrals and help with financial planning for the future. Assistance is prioritized according to need, particularly focusing on households who use a large percentage of household income to cover utility bills and rent expenses. Funding will be used for direct financial assistance to clients of this volunteer driven organization. Located in and serving Oconee County
Operation Home
Operation Home’s mission is to help individuals and families remain in their homes by increasing safety and accessibility through facilitating critical home repairs in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties. Funds will support costs associated with roof repairs, building accessibility ramps, completing bathroom modifications to meet accessibility needs, replacing floors, and other critical repairs to prevent the elements from coming into homes of homeowners living in unsafe conditions. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
Palmetto Place Childrens Shelter
Palmetto Place is the only home in the state that provides both emergency and transitional housing with wraparound services for young people experiencing homelessness who are ages 17-21. Funding will support their Unaccompanied Youth (UY) Program providing not only a warm bed and home cooked meals, but also providing guidance and support, education enrollment and tutoring, job readiness, drivers training, and independent living skills such as budgeting and cooking. Each resident meets weekly with a Case Manager to work on the progress of obtaining their goals and support is ongoing even after a resident completes the program. Located in Richland County; also serving Sumter, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, and Orangeburg Counties
Pendleton Place
Funding will support the Connections Count program of Pendleton Place, providing comprehensive service coordination, case planning for self-sufficiency, and coaching for young people transitioning out of foster care and young people experiencing homelessness. While the Connections Count program began in 2013 as the aftercare component of Pendleton Place’s residential foster care facility, it has evolved greatly over the years into a more holistic community-based program that combats the cycle of poverty and abuse. Located in and serving Greenville County
Pickens County Meals on Wheels
Pickens County Meals on Wheels exists to combat the effects of hunger, loneliness and isolation of those living in Pickens County, and to provide a lifeline through the use of caring volunteers. Funding will support costs associated with meal delivery in the most Northern and rural areas of Pickens County, specifically those residing in the Six Mile, Holly Springs, Pumpkintown and Dacusville communities that are located well beyond a five-mile radius from the closest municipality. Located in and serving Pickens County
Renew Our Community
Located in downtown Rock Hill, Renew Our Community (ROC) provides essential services including an emergency food pantry, a clothing closet, a day shelter, communication services, job preparation, and transportation. Funding will support ROC Rides, a service for citizens who do not have the resources to commute to vital destinations within the community, including medical appointments, job interviews, and other service agencies. This service is available Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm upon request. Located in and serving York County
Ride To Work Ministry Nonprofit Inc.
The mission of Ride to Work Ministry is to provide temporary affordable transportation to residents of Oconee County so they can transition to stable employment with a living wage and become self-sufficient. Their program provides rides through local UBER drivers and taxis for $5 per day to clients who have applied, been interviewed, and are job-ready. This service is offered to riders for three months, during which time the client is able to save money for their own transportation. Located in Oconee County; also serving Pickens County
Safe Harbor Inc.
Safe Harbor exists to provide a continuum of services for people who have experienced domestic violence and their children and to eliminate a cultural acceptance of domestic violence through a coordinated community response, prevention and education. 90% of Safe Harbor’s clients are experiencing poverty, and as they work to untangle from abuse, they face many barriers to establishing their independence such as housing, transportation, childcare, and legal needs. Funding will be use for Stabilization Support Funds, or modest financial aid to help bridge the path to safety, stability, and independence. Located in Greenville County; also serving Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties
Sandalwood Community Food Pantry
The Sandalwood Food Pantry is a volunteer-driven organization committed to reducing hunger on Hilton Head Island by providing an efficient, cost effective centralized system for collecting and distributing nutritional food and other supplies including toiletries, footwear, and diapers in a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere. Funding will support their “Totes of Love Project” providing participants with a special tote bag that is filled each visit with healthy foods including fresh produce, dairy products and meat. Located in and serving Beaufort County
Sea Haven
The mission of Sea Haven is to improve the overall wellbeing and safety of young people experiencing homelessness ages 13 to 22 years through emergency residential care, advocating for youth oriented services, positive youth development, offering safe housing solutions for youth living on the streets, and increasing awareness of community education. Funds will provide financial assistance for rent and utility deposits for program participants transitioning into independence as they complete job training, locate and secure employment, and adhere to goals set with input from their team of Case Manager, Vocational Specialist, Counselor, and Housing Case manager. Located in and serving Horry County
Servants for Sight
Through partnerships with local eye care providers, churches, social service agencies and other caregivers, Servants for Sight provides access to much-needed, comprehensive eye care, including eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye surgeries. Funding will pay for costs associated with their Glasses Program, which provides low-cost ($15) prescription glasses and free reading glasses to individuals living in poverty who are uninsured and do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Located in and serving Greenville County
SNAC
The Shelter and Nutrition for All Children (SNAC) program was created based on the increasing number of homeless children in Florence School District One. Families are referred by school administrators and SNAC works directly with families to provide them assistance with water, rent, utilities or deposits if they have secured shelter; and motel and food vouchers are offered if they are currently experiencing homelessness. Funding will cover operating and direct assistance costs. Located in and Serving Florence County
South Carolina Empowerment Centre
Funding will be used for costs associated with SCEC’s Hygiene Backpack Program and Dress for Success Career Closet. The Hygiene Backpack program provides students in middle and high school in Laurens County with a backpack filled with hygiene products. Then each month, the students are given refill kits filled with hygiene supplies. The Career Closest is a clothes closet for students to be able to obtain clothes for job interviews, college interviews, work clothes, or clothes for internships. Located in and Serving Laurens County
St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic
The mission of St. Luke’s is to change the lives of Spartanburg County residents who lack access to healthcare by providing a collaborative, compassionate and innovative medical home. As the only free clinic in Spartanburg, the clinic is a central hub for a variety of health care services including primary care, health education, referrals for specialized care, mental health counseling, pastoral care and an on-site pharmacy. Funding will go towards clinic programs and operating costs. Located in and Serving Spartanburg County
Step By Step Ministry Hope Project
Step by Step Ministry Hope Project is an emergency/transitional shelter that assists women experiencing homelessness in a holistic manner. Their mission is to provide outreach, emergency services, housing and case management to participants to develop self-sufficiency and independence. Residents live in a supportive environment where they practice skills of healthy lifestyles, develop income through work, and recover from other barriers so they can transition into permanent housing and possibly reunite with their families. Funding will support general operating expenses. Located inGreenville County; also serving Anderson Laurens, and Pickens Counties
Switch
Founded in 2012, SWITCH’s mission is to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Upstate of South Carolina through awareness, prevention, fighting demand, intervention, and restoration. Funding will support their Restoration Program, which provides both emergency support for women in crisis as a result of their victimization, as well as long-term assistance to develop the skills and build the competencies necessary to move forward into a safe, sustainable, healthy lifestyle. Located in Greenville County; also serving Anderson, Spartanburg, Oconee, Laurens, Greenwood, and Union Counties
Taylors Free Medical Clinic
Funding will support operations of Taylors Free Medical Clinic, a free, full-service medical facility that provides primary, preventative, and specialty care and an in-clinic pharmacy to the medically unserved in Greenville County. The specialty services provided by TFMC include X-rays, surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, gynecology, dermatology, counseling, and physical therapy. In addition to medical care and referrals, TFMC builds a robust relationship with patients and their families in an effort to address the needs of the whole person. Located in and serving Greenville County
Teachers’ Supply Closet
Teachers’ Supply Closet provides a free “store” where teachers in the Charleston Tri-County area are able to shop twice a year. TSC oversees the solicitation, collection, storage, and on-site delivery of free school supplies to over 1,100 teachers (K-12) in 46 Title I public schools, who additionally serve nearly 27,000 students. As the only program of its kind in South Carolina, TSC’s approach assists not only teachers and students, but entire families by reducing the burden of cost of quality school supplies. Funds will offset shipping costs and purchase supplies. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center
The Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center’s mission is to prevent abuse, protect children, and heal families. Funding will support their Collaborative Community Response to Child Abuse program providing high-quality forensic interviews, mental health assessments and treatments to reduce the negative impact of abuse on children and the related long-term suffering (individual, familial and societal) associated with childhood trauma. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
The Naomi Project
The Naomi Project’s goal is to provide life building services to victims of domestic abuse who are experiencing poverty after fleeing the home and resources they once shared with their abusers. In addition, they provide life building services, a one year stay, and a supportive transition into permanent housing. Funding will support programming that will assist participants as they develop independence through emotional and psychological healing and obtaining educational and financial stability. Located in Florence County; also serving Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties
Therapy Place
The Therapy Place provides traditional and innovative therapies and recreational opportunities for children with special needs. For a family in poverty, the financial, social, and emotional challenges of raising a child with special needs is exacerbated. Funding will support services in which parents and caregivers learn about their child’s diagnosis, how to advocate for their child, and what rights and resources are available to them. In addition, these activities provide families with opportunities to share their experiences, create a social network, and find emotional support. Located in Richland County; serving Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Orangeburg, York Counties
Thornwell Home for Children
Thornwell provides hope for children and families by providing safe and loving homes through family-style residential care and foster care families, hope for a brighter future through academic and community-based programs, and wholeness and healing through nurturing love and professional counseling and therapy. Funding will support their Teen Mom Cottage which provides comprehensive supportive services to teenage mothers and their children. Located in Laurens County; also serving Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter Counties
Trident Literacy Association
Trident Literacy Association’s mission is to “help adults reverse the cycle and impact of generational poverty and illiteracy through the acquisition of vital life skills” by using a holistic approach to teach students to read, write, and reason. In addition to basic academics, TLA’s work includes adult basic literacy, GED, and ESL classes, WorkReady SC Career Readiness Certificates, soft skills training, digital, family, and financial literacy. Funding will support the core component of their Adult Literacy Classes Program: qualified teachers. Located in Charleston County; also serving Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
United Center for Community Care
The United Center for Community Care is a space housing 12 nonprofit agencies providing unified services and meeting critical community needs. The primary reason why the United Center was established was to house several agencies in a single, centralized location. With this concept, individuals and families have many services accessible to them within walking distance and within the city limits. Funding will support general operating expenses for the facility. Located in Greenwood County; also serving Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, McCormick, and Saluda Counties
United Way of Kershaw County
Funding will support United Way of Kershaw’s New Day Program: a transitional shelter for families, women and men. In addition to meeting the immediate needs of individuals and families facing homelessness, programming is beginning to extend services to empower, equip and encourage participants after they leave New Day by providing long term case management to offer ongoing support and assistance as participants develop the skills and resources needed to thrive. Located in and serving Kershaw County
YMCA of Greenville
Funding will support the YMCA Judson Community Center’s afterschool program and summer day programs. In the Judson Community, 41.8% of the residents live below the poverty level, compared to 10.9% of those living at the poverty level in Greenville County. The Judson Y offers the only nationally accredited Afterschool program in Greenville County through the Council on Accreditation. By providing high quality out of school time child care, parents/caregivers are able to work and provide for their families. Located in and serving Greenville County