COLUMBIA–The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina awarded eight Collaboration for Ministry Initiative grants totaling $93,000 to programs associated with women religious across South Carolina.
The grants were established to support women religious in their efforts to help the poor in South Carolina, according to a press release from the organization. Sisters have established schools, hospitals and social service ministries that have served hundreds of thousands people in the state over the past 200 years.
The following organizations received the grants:
Felician Sisters of St. Ann Outreach Center in Kingstree received $15,000 for the final phase of their multi-faceted ministry center.
The Franciscan Center in St. Helena Island was awarded $15,000 to expand Center of Hope into Beaufort County. They will focus on partnering with two groups: economically disadvantaged families to help improve their living conditions and shelters and other organizations to improve the temporary living conditions of 1,200 migrant agricultural workers and their families who come to harvest the tomato crop by providing food, towels, toiletries and clothing. ($15,000, Beaufort County)
Our Lady of Mercy Neighborhood House in Johns Island received $15,000 to enhance the current food service and food pantry programs, add a nutritional education program, expand the provision of emergency assistance services and develop additional partnerships and collaborations with area churches, non profits and civic organizations.
Our Lady of the Hills Respite Care Program in Columbia received $5,000 to enhance their program of providing short-term relief from caregiving responsibilities to persons caring at home for functionally dependent adults, opportunities for participants to engage in a program of socialization and activities in a safe and supportive setting to maximize their quality of life.
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center in Gloverville was awarded $15,000 to help educate individuals through GED services and prepare them and their families for gainful employment.
St. Anthony of Padua School in Greenville received $15,000 to support the expansion of the Elder Buddy program to include the senior or elder family members that are involved in or responsible for raising students at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. The Elder Buddy program allows students, seniors and the community as a whole to participate in multi-generational activities. ($15,000, Greenville County)
St. Cyprian Outreach Center in Georgetown received $3,000 to provide educational and recreational opportunities for families needing support through English as a Second Language classes, women’s sewing classes, community workshops/gatherings and a one-week summer camp for children to enhance the growth and self-worth of participants.
St. Martin de Porres School in Columbia received $10,000 to support the Reading Through the Arts and Technology II program. The program will actively engage students in a global awareness curriculum which will include literature, art, music, technology, cuisine, movement and geography.