Take a minute to think of your own home
: that feeling of relief when you open the door after a long day, the smell of your favorite meal cooking in the kitchen, or the simple pleasure of relaxing in the living room with your loved ones. When most of us think of home,
it’s a refuge from the stresses of the world
.
Unfortunately, many of our neighbors don’t experience these feelings because their homes aren’t safe. Instead of being a shelter from the elements or a refuge from stresses, their homes are sources of anxiety in themselves.
Throughout Johns and Wadmalaw islands, homes with aging roofs, sagging floors and water-damaged interiors are common.
Families and seniors make do with what they have, especially as the rising cost of housing in the Lowcountry puts many options out of reach of our neighbors.
Worse still, as our neighbors age, they often find themselves disabled and unable to access all of their homes. These seniors can be trapped inside without a safe way to use the bathroom, take a shower or cook their meals.
Kiawah Cares routinely funds two partner organizations, CHIP (Community Home Improvement Project) Ministry and the Paraclete Foundation of Holy Spirit Parish on Johns Island, that are improving homes and health on Johns and Wadmalaw islands one client at a time.
From repairing damaged roofs to creating handicap-accessible spaces for seniors, these programs help make houses into homes again for our island neighbors.
