News & Events
Foundation Holds Listening Session with Homebound Seniors
September 13, 2012
Today the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina held a listening session in Georgetown, S.C., focused on participants served through the GRACE Ministries Neighbor to Neighbor program. Neighbor to Neighbor is a volunteer based door-to-door transportation service for homebound and chronically ill adults in Horry and Georgetown counties. Participants shared their experiences with Foundation board and staff as well as GRACE Ministries staff and volunteers.
GRACE Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that encourages community involvement in the lives of the aging population and enables them to continue living independently. Neighbor to Neighbor, a program was developed in 2005, uses volunteers to provide rides for homebound seniors and chronically ill or disabled adults to medical appointments, grocery store, pick-up prescriptions and complete other essential errands. Those served through Neighbor to Neighbor are able to stay connected to the community and continue to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
“I thank God everyday for this program; I do not know what I’d do without them,” said a listening session participant.
Participants shared life stories, how they learned about Neighbor to Neighbor and how much the program has impacted each of their lives. Most of the seniors and chronically ill residents don’t drive and lack of financial resources, coupled with limited local transportation, make it difficult to depend on public transit or cabs for transportation. Every participant felt that Neighbor to Neighbor was a vital service offered to the community. Many listening session participants described appreciation for the program and explained how it is a blessing in their lives.
“This program is a lifesaver,” said one listening session participant.
GRACE Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that encourages community involvement in the lives of the aging population and enables them to continue living independently. Neighbor to Neighbor, a program was developed in 2005, uses volunteers to provide rides for homebound seniors and chronically ill or disabled adults to medical appointments, grocery store, pick-up prescriptions and complete other essential errands. Those served through Neighbor to Neighbor are able to stay connected to the community and continue to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
This marked the Foundation’s third listening session conducted in 2012, and eleventh session since the Foundation embarked on a strategy, in 2010, to listen directly to families experiencing poverty. As part of its commitment to reduce poverty in South Carolina, the Foundation visited different communities across the state to listen directly to the voices of individuals and families around issues that surround poverty. It is one step closer to achieving the Foundation's vision that families in South Carolina have the resources to live out of poverty.
About Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.