Richland County South Carolina Catholic Charities assistance programs.
Catholic Charities in Richland County helps low income and struggling families in the Midland. They focus on several needs, including help for immigrants and pregnant women. There are also free clothes from a clothing closet, Wellness Services from a food pantry, financial help, Basic needs and more. The Columbia South Carolina Catholic Charities is part of the larger state as well as Midland organization.
Basic Needs and Emergency Financial Assistance
In an effort to help low income families receive the items they need on a daily basis, Catholic Charities of Columbia South Carolina operates a few different programs for food; clothing; medical equipment; toys; furniture; and much more. Most of this aid is from their food pantry, thrift store, or clothing bank. There is also a free non-food (clothing or personal hygiene item bank) on site as well as Clean Heart Laundry facility.
Now this is really an effort to help the low income family obtain everyday supplies. What it is good for is freeing up the households income for those critical bills they need to pay to live. Examples may be:
- Rent
- Utilities.
- Health care costs or insurance premiums.
- Food
- Child care.
- Many other bills.
So Catholic Charities of the Richland County region uses these resources to help struggling, low to moderate income families. Other clients of the centers may be single moms, the elderly, unemployed, immigrants, and others. These tools are effective as far as a solution for helping the vulnerable.
A number of housing-related services are available in an effort to rehouse the homeless or stop homelessness in its tracks. As funding allow, Catholic Charity churches in Columbia provides monetary aid to help low-income families maintain their current housing or acquire safer, more affordable homes or apartments or even find a homeless shelter in the Midlands or no-income housing. If and when needed, short term shelter, food and financial aid for rent or utilities as well as security deposit expenses are provided through this service. More on no-income housing.
Under this service, the agency assists families with rent payments to prevent homelessness. Catholic Charity churches in Richland County also provides emergency shelter to individuals, single moms and families on a limited basis while a more permanent housing plan is formulated. Furthermore, the agency offers emergency assistance to alleviate the crisis often spurred by a fire. Finally, a service is available to improve the relationship between landlords and tenants in Richland County area (as well as the midlands), which is known as mediation. This service features workshops and counseling sessions for all people to attend.
Much of the emergency financial help is part of the Catholic Charities Tri-County Angel Matching Fund. This is when people from Richland, Lexington, Calhoun and other counties donate money to the charity. Those funds are then used (on a one-off emergency basis) to help the needy pay their bills.
Richland County area Catholic Charity services for the vulnerable
There are resources for so called “vulnerable” as well. There is legal support for documentation for immigrants or families in poverty that lack identification.
This can help with employment barriers. Or there may be help from Catholic Charities given to immigrants. Get legal aid in applying for Driver's Licenses as well as Birth Certificates. Or find housing. Lawyers will assist individuals who are having trouble obtaining identity documentation. They can help with applications, direct the person to the correct office, and take other steps to help people get a driver license, passport, and even birth certificates.
Catholic Charities in Columbia SC region also helps pregnant women and families seeking adoption. The legal aid (which is often low cost and sometimes given by volunteer lawyers) give input. As far as women that are pregnant, then can get directed to medical providers or clinics. There are also applications to WIC vouchers for infant formula, free diapers for new moms, counseling, and other services to help both the parents and the newborn baby. This is part of pregnancy case management in Richland County.
Catholic charities also helps prisoners as well as ex-convicts. This is part of the Restorative Justice program. It can help a prisoner find a job. Or get into housing. Or stay out of trouble. Catholic Charities of Richland County will also youth and teens in the region stay out of trouble through after school activities, educational resources, and even summer camps or recreational trips.
Applying for programs and phone number for Catholic Charities
The churches serve multiple counties in the middle of South Carolina, often called the Midland. The primary Catholic Charities Office for Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Kershaw, and nearby counties is at 1427 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Dial 803-726-7764.
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