There's an old saying, "April showers bring May flowers". In the Lowcountry, our April showers are sometimes thunderstorms which can lead to floods, tornadoes, and/or other adverse weather. It is important that all Lowcountry citizens know the difference between a weather warning and a weather watch. A weather watch comes when a threat is more imminent, which means dangerous weather conditions are possible. A weather warning means severe weather is already happening or on the verge of happening. For example, people in tornado warning areas should look for shelter immediately. Review your safety plans and gather emergency supplies before the storm season starts.

In this newsletter, you will learn about new Palmetto Breeze routes coming to Bluffton, a new haven for victims of domestic abuse in Colleton County, and a helpful gardening tip. As a country, we are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to keep you aware, this newsletter details changes to claiming unemployment insurance benefits and help for families who may have lost a loved one to Coronavirus.

Dive in!
New Palmetto Breeze Routes Coming Summer 2021

Bluffton’s surging workforce will have two new ways to get to work as the Lowcountry’s transit authority, Palmetto Breeze, unveils new routes for several of the town’s largest employers and apartment complexes. The new Bluffton Parkway and Buckwalter Parkway routes have already been approved by the town. The routes, both an hour long, are slated to begin July 1. Unlike most Palmetto Breeze routes that seek to bring people from outside the county in, they target Bluffton residents.

According to the Island Packet, Mary Lou Franzoni stated that "Palmetto Breeze aims to serve about 10 passengers per hour between the two routes. Palmetto Breeze is currently redesigning its Bluffton to Hilton Head route and plans to connect the updated one to the new Buckwalter and Bluffton Parkway routes." Each route will cost $1 to ride but Palmetto Breeze plans to introduce a weekly fare to allow commuters to ride unlimited for a flat fee. That price has not been set yet.
Hopeful Horizons Adds New Center in the Lowcountry
Hopeful Horizons, a children’s advocacy, domestic violence and rape crisis center, recently opened a satellite office in Walterboro to help more women and children. The Beaufort County-based nonprofit recently opened a satellite office in Walterboro to help more women and children. Colleton County has one of the highest rates of child abuse cases in South Carolina. Hopeful Horizons has offices in Beaufort and Bluffton, but serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. The organization assists survivors with information, advocacy, therapy and other critical services. It also conducts forensic interviews in cases where child abuse or neglect have been reported by law enforcement or the Department of Social Services. Additionally, all Hopeful Horizons’ services are provided free of charge. To contact Hopeful Horizon's 24-Hour Support Line, please call 843-770-1070 or 800-868-2632.

The new office was facilitated by the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina’s first Catalyst Grant to support nonprofits’ efforts to address community-wide issues. The $750,000 grant was awarded to Hopeful Horizons in February 2020 and will be dispersed over five years.
Raised Garden Beds
Want to do some gardening without all of the bending and kneeling?

April is National Garden Month and we are excited to share information about gardening with you. Gardening is a healthy, stimulating activity that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. In fact, raised garden beds, or raised flower beds, are trending due to the ease of maintenance. They can be on patios, balconies, outside your backdoor, or wherever is convenient for you. Taller raised beds are good for those in wheelchairs or who use rollator walkers. It gives you total access and makes it easier to navigate the entire garden for the elderly and disabled because it is all within an arm’s length. For those with limitations on bending and kneeling down, you are able to stand or even sit while you garden.

Raised beds require more water than in-ground gardens because they dry out more quickly but having your garden easily accessible makes watering not so difficult. Check the dates in your area for the “last freeze” so you can plan when to start planting the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers of your choice. Starting a garden can occupy a lot of your time, but you will be rewarded with a beautiful and delicious harvest. You can save money at the grocery store and have fresh fruit and veggies from your own garden to your table.

Happy Gardening from the Aging and Disability Resource Center! 
Job Search is Back!
South Carolina will reinstate the job search requirement for citizens drawing unemployment benefits. The job search helps prove that unemployed people are actively seeking out work. Though it was discontinued in April 2020, the reinstated work search requirement begins the week of April 18. To remain eligible for benefits, S.C. residents must conduct two job searches each week via the SC Works Online Services portal.

Hiring events in the Lowcountry scheduled for early April are listed below. Please click each link to see more information about each hiring event.

For additional information about the events listed, please contact the Beaufort Jasper SC Works Center at 843-379-3532.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. FEMA is working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways to best provide this assistance. The agency will begin accepting applications for COVID-19 funeral assistance in April. If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, FEMA recommends that you to keep and gather documentation. If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
For more information about the COVID-19 funeral assistance, click here.

Additionally, you may visit our website to read the biweekly Lowcountry COVID-19 Report. As of March 26, a total of 20,702 cases have been reported, resulting in 372 deaths. In the Lowcountry region, a total of 107,745 vaccine doses were administered – 68.5% in Beaufort County, 10.2% in Colleton County, 4.1% in Hampton County, and 17.1% in Jasper County. If there are any questions regarding the report, please contact Dr. Maleena Parkey at 843-473-3987.
If you have questions concerning any of the information contained in the newsletter, please feel free to contact Kira Fuller at 843.473.3956 or by email at rfuller@lowcountrycog.org.