For our members unable to join the WIP Spring Luncheon, Pamela Stone, Grants Vice Chair, provided a wonderful overview of the 2022 grantee reports. This is a must read!:
Courtney Hampson, Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help (BSH), reported that BSH just celebrated its 35th year of empowering and advocating for Lowcountry neighbors to improve their lives through education and training, basic needs and guided access to a network of community services. Bluffton Self Help received $16,325 from Women in Philanthropy to support emergency needs of their families. Bluffton Self Help strives to prevent homelessness by paying utility bills directly to the utilities. In 2022, Bluffton Self Help was able to help 188 families who received financial assistance totaling $163,049.
The Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic serves patients north of the Broad River in the town of Beaufort and surrounding areas. Cassi Kilpatrick, Executive Director, joined our WIP luncheon to present a report on the $25,000 grant from WIP for their Primary Family Care project that provided patient co-pay assistance, diabetic supplies, respiratory equipment, blood pressure monitors, eyeglasses and transportation. In 2022, the WIP grant contributed to a 34% growth in newly enrolled patients and a 24% increase in the total number of patients served (a record 703 patients were served in 2022). Medical staff at the Clinic reported that 2022 brought an increase in younger adult patients, and they also reported that many new patients were sicker with more complex issues due to delaying care from the pandemic.
Erin Hall from Hopeful Horizons explained how WIP’s $19,725 grant to its Transitional Housing Program allowed for expansion of the existing housing program, assisting additional clients with costs and expenses related to transitioning into a situation of safe housing. The need for housing continues to grow. With this funding, Hopeful Horizons has been able to provide more housing assistance to help individuals and families transition to permanent housing through rental assistance, housing deposits, utility payments and back payments. Sixty-three women from Hopeful Horizons’ shelter went into transitional/permanent housing in 2022, out of a total 77 women who were at the shelter. Hopeful Horizons was able to help those 63 women with utility assistance, rent assistance, groceries and other fees.
Jody Levitt, Executive Director, represented The Children’s Center (TCC) and their use of WIP’s $25,000 grant in the Infant and Toddler Program. The Children’s Center is one of only two Centers on Hilton Head offering infant care (six weeks to two years of age). WIP's support ensured six weeks of care for 17 infants, enabling 13 parents to go to work and support their families. The Children’s Center is experiencing the staffing challenges affecting so many businesses on the island. More than 100 children attend TCC daily, and while they had to close three classrooms due to lack of staff, the Infant and Toddler classroom remained full and has a significant wait list. TCC used WIP funding to ensure their teachers are paid a competitive rate, and to support facility and food costs for the infant and toddler program.
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LCLV) received $25,000 in 2022 and was represented at the WIP Luncheon by Anne Caywood, Executive Director. Anne explained that their primary mission is to provide legal aid to low-income families facing eviction from their homes and help them to apply for financial assistance. These families have been hit especially hard by the ramifications of COVID and LCLV recognized that they needed to step in and fight for them. Over 130 people, representing over 460 family members, were saved from eviction and able to stay in their own homes.
