System News

Community leaders, nonprofit partners and changemakers gathered early Tuesday morning, united by a shared commitment to strengthening the health and well-being of the Lowcountry.

Together, they represent a growing network of organizations working to close gaps in care and support those who need it most, work that continues to gain momentum through Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Community Investment Fund.

This year, Roper St. Francis Healthcare recommitted to its investment in community partnerships, awarding $452,500 in grants to 67 organizations and programs across the region.

“It feels like we’re weaving together a network of service to care for our community,” said Joseph DeLeon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “With our mission of healing all people with compassion, faith and excellence, we couldn’t be prouder to do this work alongside all of you.”

The 2026 grant recipients were recognized at a celebratory breakfast hosted by Roper St. Francis Healthcare at Hall’s Signature Event space. These grants support initiatives that improve healthcare access and overall well-being throughout the Lowcountry.

“Every organization represented here today is filling critical gaps and working together to meet the needs of those who need us the most” DeLeon said. “None of us can do this work alone. It takes a strong network of belief, investment and compassion to truly strengthen our community.”

For Megan Manigault, Founder and CEO of I Am Voices, the work is deeply personal. The organization she started in 2017 is designed to provide sanctuary and services to survivors of sexual assault, violence and sex trafficking. She emphasized the importance of connection among community partners.

“This work is about filling the gaps I once needed in my own life,” Manigault said. “I love seeing women come in and how they leave feeling stronger, supported and connected to a community that doesn’t let them go. Finding the funding and support to continue the work is hard, that’s why connecting to other community partners like this matters so much.”

As part of its Strategic Plan 2030, Roper St. Francis Healthcare remains committed to addressing future clinical needs and expanding access to care, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Through its Community Investment Program, the health system continues to address critical healthcare needs and improve the quality of life beyond hospital walls.

Renee Linyard-Gary, Assistant Vice President of Community Health, emphasized the power of collaboration and highlighted findings from the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies the most pressing health gaps and helps guide shared priorities across Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. All grant recipients this year are aligned with those priority areas, reinforcing a collective, community-driven approach to improving health outcomes alongside partners like MUSC Health, Trident Health and Trident United Way.

“We see the important work that you all are doing every day to meet those needs,” Linyard-Gary said. “This investment is about strengthening those efforts so that, together, we can create a real, lasting impact for the people and communities we serve.”

ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS

AMOR Healing Kitchen

AMOR Healing Kitchen is building on its proven foundation of community-driven nutrition programs by launching South Carolina’s first Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) initiative and one of the nation’s first plant-based MTM programs for individuals living with diabetes. This program delivers dietitian-designed, plant-based meals to help stabilize blood sugar, improve overall health outcomes, and empower participants with gestational or pre-gestational diabetes to use food as a tool for prevention and management.

A Second Chance Resource Center Network United Inc

A Second Chance Resource Center Network United, Inc. provides comprehensive reentry and workforce development services that promote economic mobility through workforce and health access for justice-involved adults, returning citizens, youth, and their families. Using a holistic, family-centered case management approach, the program addresses barriers to employment, housing, mental health, and wellness serving the whole person and the whole family.

A Time of Refreshing

A Time of Refreshing is a grief support group that offers help to people who are navigating Grief, Loss, and Trauma. They do this using Music therapy (piano and vocals) to help with anxiety, stress, and depression – all of which are symptoms of grief. They utilize the arts (visual, music, and writing) to relieve symptoms of Grief. Conversational therapy and music help to impact those whose lives have been impacted by grief.

AME Girl On The Move

AME Girl On The Move is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting the homeless, elderly, and children by providing nutritious food, hygiene items, essential supplies, and access to transportation. Their mission is to promote health and equity by meeting basic needs, improving nutrition, and ensuring access to vital resources for those in need.

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association works to prevent deaths from sudden cardiac events by providing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), training, and proper storage signage in schools. As a national leader in heart health, CPR education, and emergency preparedness, the AHA equips communities with the tools and knowledge to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

ARK of SC

ARK Programs directly impact caregivers and care receivers living in Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Orangeburg, and Colleton Counties. Their team works to preserve dignity and respect of individuals with memory issues so they may continue participating in their community through social respite, early memory loss, support groups, consultations, mentoring for other communities, memory screenings, and training for local Law Enforcement/First Responders.

Beautiful Gate Center

The Center has become the pinnacle therapeutic treatment center in the region and receives a significant number of referrals for behavioral health from medical specialists and pediatricians for children with profound autism in need of services. They are developing new standards of practice to manage the volume of referrals, provide interim support to families while waitlisted, and expand our behavioral health department to intake and schedule more treatments for new patients.

Beyond BASIC Life Skills

Beyond Basic Life Skills’ Beyond Healthy Vending Expansion creates inclusive employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through a health-focused vending machine enterprise. Over 12 months, four new healthy snack machines will be installed in high-traffic community locations across the Tri-County area. Participants—whom are called “Teammates”—gain hands-on business experience, including inventory, customer service, and health education, while promoting nutritious choices in their communities. The project not only provides equitable employment but also improves behavioral and physical health by fostering purpose, routine, and social connection.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry

BBBSL creates and supports hundreds of community-based, one-to-one mentoring relationships between youth and trusted adults designed to protect and foster scholastic achievement, healthy peer-to-peer/family relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and strong self-concept in the children it serves. Grounded in an evidence-based mentoring model, these trauma-informed relationships serve as protective factors that improve behavioral health, build resilience, and increase long-term educational and life outcomes for youth facing adversity.

Bridges of Hope

The multifaceted Stepping Stones Program creates safe spaces to support & empower children & teens who are grieving. The Sand Dollar Club (school-based support groups) connects kids with peers “who get it,” teaches them healthy coping skills, and builds resilience for future life challenges.

Camp Happy Days

Camp Happy Days’ Family Financial Assistance(FA) program provides critical emergency funding up to $1,000 annually for South Carolina families navigating the devastating financial impact of pediatric cancer. From diagnosis through treatment and up to two years following a child’s death, we cover essential expenses including: rent, utilities, transportation to treatment centers, groceries, and funeral costs. This ensures families can focus on their child’s care rather than choosing between cancer treatment and basic survival needs.

Camp Rise Above

In 2026, CRA will be hosting multiple adaptive overnight camps, expanding our day camps to offer families a full week camp, family retreats and 30+ in-hospital children’s programs for patients unable to attend our outside programs. Everyone deserves to experience the magic of camp and childhood no matter their medical diagnosis.

Charleston County Adult Drug Court Foundation

The Charleston County Adult Drug Court Foundation benefits the Charleston County Treatment Court Programs including Adult Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Court-Assisted Treatment. The primary objective of the treatment courts is to reduce recidivism, reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on the criminal justice system, and reduce crime rates within the community, while helping people improve their lives through access to treatment and recovery resources.

Charleston County Parks Foundation

Mission: Empowering all people to experience the Charleston County Parks and programs. Vision: Create opportunities for all to access and experience the benefits of our park system while preserving and protecting it.

Charleston County Public Library – Free and Fresh Fridges

Charleston County Public Library’s (CCPL) Free and Fresh Fridges eliminate barriers to healthy food access by offering produce at no cost to residents of Charleson County. The program promotes dignity, choice, and community connection while encouraging healthy eating habits.

Charleston County Public Library- Yoga For Kids

Yoga for Kids and Teens provides free access to professionally led yoga and mindfulness programs that support both physical activity and mental well-being. In 2025 alone, the program has reached more than 600 youth and caregivers across Charleston County, helping participants develop lifelong tools for stress management, emotional regulation, and healthy movement.

Charleston Habitat For Humanity

Through the Homes of the Brave Project, Charleston Habitat for Humanity (CHFH) will construct two Veteran Cottages on Mint Avenue in Charleston – creating two units of affordable housing for two income-qualified veterans and their families, directly impacting at least two and up to four individuals. The cottages will make homeownership a reality for two veteran families earning 80% of the area mean income or less, who would otherwise be unable to qualify for a mortgage through traditional financing models, upholding their physical, emotional, and behavioral health, providing them an opportunity to build generational wealth, and increasing the inventory of affordable housing in the Charleston region.

Charleston Hope

Charleston Hope’s THRIVE Counseling Program addresses the Tri-County region’s prioritized needs of Behavioral Health, Access to Care, and Health Equity by increasing in-school access to quality mental health services for children in Title I elementary schools. By embedding licensed therapists and graduate-level interns directly in schools, THRIVE eliminates barriers such as cost, transportation, and long waitlists—ensuring students receive timely, consistent, and trauma-informed care. Through individualized therapy, group counseling, and social-emotional learning supports, the program strengthens emotional well-being, academic engagement, and peer relationships.

Charleston Leaders

Leader Academy works with High School Sophomores in 3 counties to educate them about our community needs, resources and opportunities. They introduce them to leaders impacting our region and Roper is an integral component of this program

Charleston Promise Neighborhood

Charleston Promise Neighborhood’s (CPN) School-Based Health Clinic, called “KidsWell”, addresses healthcare access disparities by providing school-based health services, telehealth and virtual doctor visits, mental and behavioral health supports, chronic disease management, and community partnerships that foster health literacy and improve overall health outcomes.

Circle of Life Foundation

Circle of Life Foundation is dedicated to advancing educational equity and holistic well-being for children and families in underserved and rural communities. The organization provides comprehensive support through educational services, mentorship, wraparound care, and mental health and wellness initiatives. Its core mission is to disrupt generational cycles of poverty, improve educational outcomes, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in vulnerable populations.

Circle of Love Charleston

Circle of Love Charleston is a non-profit organization that provides home-cooked meals, water, and essential supplies to unhoused and low-income families across the Charleston area. Their mission is rooted in compassion and faith, inspired by Ms. Ethel’s legacy of love and service. Through regular outreach events, we serve nutritious meals and distribute hygiene kits and other necessities-offering not just food, but dignity hope and human connection.

Closing The Gap In Healthcare

The program is very unique in that they have been addressing health literacy, by way of radio commercial, TV videos, social media and personal appearances (i.e. Barbershop talks.)

Communities In Schools of South Carolina

Communities In Schools of South Carolina (CISSC) embeds student support staff in schools serving low-income communities to connect families to resources to remove barriers to education and ensure students have the skills and support they need to improve health and well-being. This year they are incorporating education and programming about underage substance use prevention and cessation into their school-based wraparound student support.

Community Resource Center

The Community Resource Center offers vital services through our distribution of Nutritional Groceries, Hygiene Essentials, and Baby Needs. This initiative focuses on enhancing community well-being by increasing access to fundamental care and promoting healthy lifestyles by providing nutritional options, health essentials, and information on access to healthcare. We aim to reduce obesity rates, further support community health by maintaining personal hygiene, and ensure that infants receive proper nutrition and care from the start. Additionally, our organization conducts informational sessions that educate participants on nutrition, healthy living, and resource utilization, empowering them to make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Compass Harbor

Compass Harbor is the Lowcountry’s organization dedicated to serving youth who are transitioning out of foster care and at-risk young adults experiencing homelessness. One in five youth aging out of care experience homelessness. Our approach starts with crisis response: food, safe shelter, transportation, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles such as obtaining an ID and opening a bank account. Compass re-connects youth with medical care and mental health support, and provides education on South Carolina’s recently implemented Extended Foster Care opportunity. Once stable, the partnership focus shifts to long-term growth. Participants are paired with a mentor to develop essential life skills—budgeting, financial literacy, meal planning & preparation, job readiness, and more. Compass Harbor’s focus on wrap-around services, coordinated advocacy, and consistent connections is the key to ensuring that participants step into adulthood with the stability, skills, and the supportive community they deserve.

Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center

Dee Norton’s Collaborative Community Response to Child Abuse (CCRCA) program aims to reduce the negative impact of abuse on children and the related long-term suffering associated with childhood exposure to trauma. By coordinating a child-focused investigation and providing children who have been identified as having experienced abuse and their caregivers access to evidence-based mental health services, Dee Norton helps mitigate the negative impacts of trauma on children and their families.

Equal Accessibility and Support Everywhere Inc

EASE allows people without disability to experience hearing and/or vision loss during an event (lecture, social, dining) to gain an understanding. We then unpack what it felt like, and how to create more accessible spaces for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind communities.

Every1 Voice Matters Inc

Every 1 Voice Matters Stronger Together Program is about an 8-week initiative designed to strengthen families in at-risk communities through education, mindset development, and life skills training.

Expanding the Table

Expanding the Table helps feed hungry people—no questions asked. Not only do we serve our guests a hot meal, but we also build relationships and share information about resources for food pantries, clothing closets, healthcare, housing/shelter, employment, and other basic needs. Our main focus is on low-income individuals, families, and those facing food insecurity in the Summerville/Dorchester County area.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

The Charleston Cruisers is a pediatric wheelchair basketball program established by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), an international 501(c)(3) organization, that offers year-round, inclusive physical activity for children with physical disabilities in the Lowcountry. By creating safe, community-based opportunities for youth to be active, the program directly addresses needs identified in the 2022 Tri-County Community Health Needs Assessment, including the need for more accessible physical activity events for children and the promotion of health equity.

Florence Crittenton Programs of SC

Florence Crittenton Programs SC DBA Young Moms Together (YMT) empowers pregnant and parenting youth ages 14–24 through housing, education, and holistic care.

Four Rivers Outreach Community Development Corporation

The Renewed Strength: Senior Fitness and Nutrition Program is a six-week, evidence-based initiative designed to empower adults aged 55 and older to enhance strength, balance, and overall wellness through engaging, low-impact physical activity and practical nutrition education. By combining professional guidance from certified trainers, a registered dietitian, and licensed health professionals, participants gain the tools and confidence to maintain independence and vitality. This program fosters a sense of belonging and accountability as participants learn together, track their progress, and develop lifelong wellness habits. Through personalized coaching, supportive community engagement, and measurable improvements in physical and emotional health, the program directly addresses the growing need for accessible, sustainable, and preventive wellness solutions for seniors in the Charleston Tri-County area.

GA Footman Foundation

The G.A. Footman Wellness Initiative is a comprehensive community health program designed to address obesity, improve nutrition, enhance access to preventive care, and empower underserved populations through education and outreach. The program unites three major components—a Community Garden Program, a Breast Cancer Awareness and Wellness Program, and a School and Career Readiness Program—to promote lifelong health, reduce disparities, and strengthen community resilience.

Gateway For Excellence Putting Families 1st

Gateway for Excellence: Putting Families 1st is a community-based initiative committed to promoting health, preventing illness, and identifying emerging issues through evidence-based preventive interventions. The program delivers educational workshops, health screenings, counseling, anger management, and early treatment referrals to enhance overall family stability and well-being. With a strong emphasis on Maternal, Infant, and Child Health (MICH), the initiative provides parenting education for low-income families, prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, and nutrition support. Its specialized Parenting Education Program: Supporting Children with Behavior Problems and Trauma equips parents of K4–K grade students with effective strategies to address developmental and emotional challenges. Collectively, these services aim to reduce health disparities, strengthen family resilience, and improve long-term health and psychosocial outcomes for mothers, children, and families in underserved communities.

Global Educational Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC

The Resilience Project provides comprehensive mental health services that promote emotional resilience, healthy communication, and overall wellness. Through tailored individual and group therapy sessions, combined with preventive workshops and resources, the program empowers diverse populations to strengthen coping skills, prevent behavioral health challenges, and achieve long-term well-being.

Greater Charleston Chapter, The Drifters, Inc.

Greater Charleston Chapter, the Drifters’, Inc., is a civic, charitable, and educational non-profit organization. Our primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for women, children, seniors, and families through philanthropic advocacy, and concerted community service projects and programs that support health and educational development of families, especially children, and increase economic empowerment of women, seniors, and children. We believe it is important to foster activities and opportunities that enhance healthy habits, economic growth, family unity, and overall well-being of those we serve.

Hope to Home Furniture Resource

To provide beds and furniture to families transitioning from homelessness to secure housing. The impact helps result in 95% of those families are still in their home and working one year later.

I Am Voices

The Blooming Flower Housing and Wellness Program provides trauma-informed transitional housing, therapy, and wrap-around wellness services for women and youth survivors of sexual violence and trafficking across the Tri-County region. Through a holistic approach that combines behavioral health counseling, case management, and life skills development, the program empowers participants to rebuild stability, heal from trauma, and achieve sustainable independence. By addressing mental health, housing insecurity, and access to care, I AM VOICES Inc. advances health equity and helps survivors move from crisis to thriving through consistent support, dignity, and community connection.

JBC Grant Partnership Ministry

The Senior/Health &Wellness Ministry aims to provide health-related screenings, education, reminders, workshops, activities, and opportunities for spiritual and physical growth, including participation in trips, tours, recreational, and fellowship events, to promote healthier lifestyles and overall well-being. Additionally, the ministry will visit, call, and send cards to sick members, and serve and encourage seniors aged 60 and older in the church and community.

Ladies Enriching The Community Partner Organization

The Women’s Health Collaborative is a regional health equity initiative designed to address persistent disparities affecting women and girls throughout Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties. Led by Ladies Enriching the Community (LETC) in partnership with Stellar Communications, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, and key community stakeholders, this initiative promotes prevention, wellness, and equitable access to care. Focus areas include cardiovascular health, reproductive health (including menopausal and peri-menopausal), mental health, obesity prevention, nutrition, and physical activity for women, girls and, female veterans. Through coordinated mobile health screenings, targeted education campaigns, and community-based wellness activities, the project will strengthen maternal outcomes, expand behavioral health supports, and improve engagement in healthy lifestyle practices. The overarching goal is to achieve sustainable improvements in health outcomes, self-efficacy, and quality of life for women and families including those in underserved communities.

Landmarks For Families (Carolina Youth Development Center)

Landmarks for Families—originally established as Charleston Orphan House, requests funding to continue our Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, and Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.) Program. This initiative offers peer-based grief support for foster youth ages 13-17, addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of youth living in residential group homes and foster placements.

Let’s Walk

Let’s Walk Together: Connecting Communities Through Movement addresses one of the most common and preventable causes of decline in aging—physical inactivity and social isolation. As people grow older, many become hesitant to walk outside alone due to fear of falling, lack of confidence, or limited companionship. This leads to a gradual reduction in activity, increasing the risk of chronic, preventable diseases that diminish quality of life. Today, only 21% of adults meet national recommendations for regular physical activity. Let’s Walk pairs trained community volunteers with older adults for safe, one-on-one neighborhood walks guided by licensed therapist assessments and personalized walking plans. These walks restore confidence, build friendships, and strengthen community ties. Since 2021, Let’s Walk has completed over 4,700 walks in Charleston and is now expanding to the Sea Islands (John’s Island, Kiawah and Seabrook) and Daniel Island to ensure more seniors can stay active, visible, and connected.

Lowcountry Food Bank

The Lowcountry Food Bank is requesting $25,000 to support food purchases for the BackPack Buddies and Food for Health programs. In Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, the BackPack Buddies program will provide nutritious food to children over the weekend and during school breaks, while the Food for Health program will provide nutritious food to patients screening positive for food insecurity at health clinics in Berkeley and Charleston counties.

Lowcountry Street Grocery

Lowcountry Street Grocery (LSG) is a mission-driven local food market and food pharmacy. LSG has three arms of the organization that work interdependently to achieve our mission of Food Equity. Across all three arms of LSG, the use of strategic sliding scale pricing and SNAP/EBT incentives help to ensure that where you live and how much you earn do not predetermine your family’s health. LSG believes access to local, healthy, affordable food is a right, not a privilege.

Meals On Wheels

Meals on Wheels of Summerville delivers nutritious meals and human connection to homebound seniors and medically fragile adults across the greater Summerville area. Our Healthy at Home initiative provides six weekly meals and wellness visits that nourish bodies, lift spirits, and help neighbors stay healthy and independent at home.

MPAC Community Development Corporation 

MPAC CDC’s Summer Enrichment Program is a holistic youth development initiative designed to promote academic growth, physical wellness, and emotional health for children and adolescents in underserved communities. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Lowcountry Food Bank and local sports coaches, the program provides balanced meals, daily physical training, and active play that encourage lifelong healthy habits.

Operation Home

Operation Home exists to provide Home, Health, and Hope to vulnerable low-income families in the South Carolina Lowcountry by increasing the essential safety and accessibility of their homes. For nearly thirty years, Operation Home has kept thousands of Tri-County neighbors safe in their own homes by providing critical repairs including wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, new roofs and floors, and heating and cooling units to neighbors with an average household income of just over $1,300 a month.

Postpartum Support Charleston

Postpartum Support Charleston delivers free postpartum mental health support through our Mom Mentor program, connecting new mothers with trained peer mentors for emotional support, early intervention, and access to care. With demonstrated success supporting 66 mothers so far this year and growing demand, we plan to expand staff capacity to increase mentor recruitment and training, strengthen coordination, and serve significantly more mothers in the Charleston Tri-County area in 2026.

Project Alive and Kicking (PAK)

This initiative provides free educational resources, a mobile app (ME Preg), and community outreach to empower expectant mothers and families with knowledge and tools for a healthy pregnancy. By expanding access to bilingual prenatal education and increasing awareness of maternal health, the program helps reduce disparities and promote healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes.

R3 Inc

R3 Inc.’s “Eating for Education” is a healthy eating and nutrition education initiative designed to provide students at Burke High School with healthy food options that they may not otherwise have access to. This initiative also aims to provide students with nutrition education designed to help them make more informed choices about their diet.

Remnant House Outreach Ministry

 Remnant House Outreach Ministries provides a year-round residential recovery program for men overcoming opioid and substance use disorders. Through housing, meals, transportation, mental health counseling, job placement, and case management, we create a holistic environment where recovery is possible. Founded in 2012, RHOM has served over 270 men across South Carolina, guiding them from addiction to independence through structured accountability, evidence-based therapy, and faith-informed care.

Revive Charleston (Shepherd’s Table)

Our mission is to provide nutritious meals, clothing and personal care items to adults and children in the North Charleston area and to promote community building among our guests.

Sea Island Habitat For Humanity

We build affordable homes for purchase by area families in need; and we make critical repairs to owner-occupied homes. We work on James, Johns, Wadmalaw, and Edisto Islands. Our new homes give their owners a hand up out of poverty; both our homes and our repairs enable people to live in a more healthy environment, and with increased dignity and safety.

Second Chance Bikes

The Change a Tire, Change a Like program provides folks who are in-need with free bikes for basic transportation and recreation.
 Our CTCL bikes provide can folks with the following: -Transportation independence- they don’t have to rely on a limited bus system or rides from friends and family -Reliable access to resources from partner organizations -More employment opportunities -Better access to more nutritious food options -Increased access to more or better quality affordable housing -Transportation to appointments (medical, AA meetings, parole check-ins, etc.) -Saves folks time and energy compared to walking -Affordable recreation opportunities and exercise -Increased social interaction and connection with family, friends, and their local community

Sons Of Saint Andrews 385

We will do monthly events across the tri-county area. Bringing health awareness to those who are socially, economically, and mentally underserved making Brighton Place (low income Senior Facility) our hub for all services provided.

SOUL

The SOUL Sisters program exists to empower moms with the support they need to be a safe place for their children. Our primary objective is the safety, health, and wellness of mother and children from pregnancy through parenting.

South Carolina Coastal Conservation League (GrowFood Carolina)

Founded in 2011 as a program of the Coastal Conservation League, GrowFood Carolina is South Carolina’s first and largest food hub, dedicated to supporting local farmers, preserving agricultural landscapes, and addressing food insecurity. The Coastal Conservation League is requesting $10,000 to support GrowFood Carolina’s Soil to Sustenance program, to provide healthy, locally grown produce to approximately 800 underserved individuals across the Tri-County region.

South Carolina Grand Lodge of AFAM

The SC Grand Lodge Youth Empowerment Program, equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and resources to make healthy life choices and become positive leaders in their communities. Through mentorship, health education, and community service initiatives, the program promotes physical, mental, and social wellbeing while addressing disparities that impact youth development and long-term health outcomes

The Beloved Early Education an Care Collective (BEE Collective)

The Beloved Early Education and Care Collective’s Perinatal Safe Spot directly addresses priorities in the Roper St. Francis Community Health Assessment related to Maternal, Infant, and Child Health and Health Equity. The program provides free doula care, perinatal education, and crisis support to families in the Tri-County region, particularly those most affected by barriers to transportation, insurance, and culturally responsive care. Following the loss of a $200,000 state grant, our team was reduced from 3.5 Perinatal Community Health Workers to one. We are requesting $25,000 to retain this full-time community doula, who will provide ongoing prenatal, birth, and postpartum support to 20 families each year through home visits, childbirth education, and coordination with clinical providers. This investment will ensure that families most impacted by inequity continue receiving compassionate, community-based support—reducing preventable perinatal complications and improving trust between families and local healthcare systems.

The Green Heart Project

The Green Heart Project’s Farm to School program uses school gardens as vehicles to connect students to food, health, and the environment, while reinforcing academic standards, building interpersonal skills, and cultivating community. By involving students directly in the process of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and cooking food from the garden, they gain an appreciation and affinity for fresh produce and community and environmental care.

The Lonon Foundation

The Lonon Foundation’s UPLIFT program provides therapeutic, play-based psychosocial and emotional support to children ages 0–17 coping with a parent’s or caregiver’s cancer diagnosis. Led by Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs), UPLIFT helps children understand illness, build coping skills, and connect with peers who share similar experiences. Through individualized guidance, peer support events, and developmentally appropriate materials tailored for varying literacy levels, UPLIFT strengthens family communication and emotional resilience. In 2026, The Lonon Foundation will serve approximately 285 individuals (150 children and their caregivers) across Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties, with focused outreach to the high-need Sea Islands. This $25,000 request will expand access to preventive behavioral health support for children, directly aligning with Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s CHNA priority to reduce behavioral health disparities.

The Navigation Center

The Navigation Center (TNC) supports vulnerable and unhoused populations by empowering those in crisis to navigate the very complex ecosystem of organizations that provide services they need to rebuild a sustainable, independent life for themselves and their families, while advocating for significant ecosystem improvement. Through collaborative partnerships with community service agencies, TNC delivers individualized case management that connects clients to critical resources needed to reduce barriers to healthcare access, divert emergency room visits, and build a foundation for long-term stability.

Tricounty Play Collaborative

Our goal for Play as Prevention is to inform and provide early childhood professionals and parents with creative opportunities to engage young children in outdoor play to support children’s mental health and physical health.

Tri-County SPEAKS

Tri-County SPEAKS’ Prevention Program works to reduce the incidence and impact of sexual violence through education, outreach, and community engagement that promote consent, respect, and healthy relationships. By addressing the root causes of sexual assault and equipping individuals and organizations with tools to recognize and prevent violence, the program strengthens community behavioral health, reduces trauma, and fosters safer environments for healing and growth. Through evidence-based curricula, bystander intervention training, and partnerships with schools, faith-based organizations, and service providers, Tri-County SPEAKS empowers the Tri-County community to take an active role in prevention. This upstream, public health approach reduces the long-term mental health and social costs associated with sexual violence, contributing to a healthier, more resilient community aligned with local behavioral health priorities.

Vantage Point Foundation

Vantage Point Foundation (VPF) guides military veterans and their families through the transition from military to civilian life using a whole health model that promotes peace with the past, stability in the present, and purpose for the future. Through our six-month Veteran Leadership and Spouse & Partner Courses, supported by ongoing mentorship, community connection, professional development, and a Clinical Case Management team consisting of two nurses, a social worker, and a licensed professional counselor, participants gain emotional resilience, relational health, and renewed purpose. VPF’s holistic programs foster lasting transformation, reducing isolation and strengthening families while empowering veterans and spouses to lead and serve within their communities across South Carolina and the greater Southeast.

Wings For Kids

The WINGS Champion Program is a healing-centered initiative that will engage 300 parents and caregivers across Charleston, Berkeley, Calhoun, and Lexington–Richland counties to build emotionally supportive home environments for their children. Through (4) in-person community healing events and a seven-week hybrid course, the program strengthens family resilience, reduces stress, and promotes positive mental and emotional health among underserved families.