Community Cares Displaying items by tag: charleston sc nonprofits
The statistics are grim and getting worse 16% of America's children are obese & another 17% are overweight Louie’s Kids knows where this leads. Diabetes, Heart disease, & Stroke. This generation will be the first in history to live shorter lives than their parents. Genetics plays a role, but too many kids eat too much food with too little nutrition, and they spend their time on sofas instead of bicycles. Business, government, and the non-profit world have launched vital programs educating kids about healthy eating and lifestyles. But the horrible reality is that teenagers who weigh 300, 400 or 600 pounds need more than education. They need treatment.
That's where Louie's Kids comes in. Louie's Kids stands virtually alone as the nation's only non-profit whose sole mission is to treat obesity, one child at a time. Founded in 2001 in Alexandria, Virginia and operated today out of Charleston, South Carolina, Louie's Kids serves economically disadvantaged kids nationwide. Louie's Kids works to find the best treatment options to meet the needs of each child. They find the fix that fits and that takes volunteers. If you would like to get involved Louie’s Kids can use help with Y memberships, nutritional counseling, Physical Trainers, Online and Web Based Support, Registered Dietitians, Pedometers, Sports Equipment, Activity Based Weight Loss Camps & Boarding School, and Mentor Support.
Big Chef Little Chef is Louie’s Kids big fundraiser and the second annual event will be at the Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17th. This best -tasting competition pairs up Lowcountry Chefs with children from the program in order to battle it out to see who can create the tastiest — and healthiest — dish. This year special guests Chef Marvin Woods from Turner South, and Ed Brantley and his wife Heba Salama, Season 6 finalists on The Biggest Loser will be in attendance.
Darkness to Light is a national Non-profit. Their programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
Darkness to Light believes that adults should be taking proactive steps to protect children from this significant risk. It is unrealistic to think that a young child can take responsibility for fending off sexual advances by an adult. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. Adults are the ones who need to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Yet, the statistics clearly show that adults aren’t shouldering this responsibility. Darkness to Light believes that adults just don’t know how.
If child sexual abuse were like most childhood diseases, the prevalence and consequences of it would lead to telethons to raise money for its cure every weekend. But child sexual abuse is one of the last cultural taboos. With the exception of child-focused personal safety programs, almost nothing is being done to address it.
When you journey onto the Darkness to Light website there is a section dedicated to just statistics. Every American needs to take a moment and ponder the horrific soberness of what is happening to our children.
The statistics are shocking
*1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
*1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
*1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet.
*Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.
*An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.
*Even within the walls of their own homes, children are at risk for sexual abuse
30-40% of victims are abused by a family member.
*Another 50% are abused by someone outside of the family whom they know and trust.
*Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know.
*Therefore, only 10% are abused by strangers.
Sexual abuse can occur at all ages, probably younger than you think
*The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old.
*More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8.
*Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are
children under 12.
Consequences of child sexual abuse begin affecting children and families immediately. They also affect society in innumerable and negative ways. These effects can continue throughout the life of the survivor so the impact on society for just one survivor continues over multiple decades. Try to imagine the impact of 39 million survivors.
Health and/or Behavioral Problems, Drug and/or Alcohol Problems,
Teenage Pregnancy and Promiscuity, as well as Crime.
*
Adolescents who suffer violent victimization are at risk for being victims or perpetrators of felony assault, domestic violence, and property offense as adults.
*Nearly 50% of women in prison state that they were abused as children.
*Over 75% of serial rapists report they were sexually abused as youngsters.
*Most perpetrators don't molest only one child if they are not reported and stopped.
*Nearly 70% of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims; at least 20% have 10 to 40 victims.
*An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime.
Darkness to Light has a 7 Step Program in order to educate all adults on how to protect children.
You can download these 7 steps right off of their website Download Here
Or make a donation to support the printing and distribution of the booklets in the community. There are many ways to get involved with Darkness to Light.
Please visit their website for all the wonderful and creative ways everyone can participate.
Childhood Stories Documentary: A Must See
During the winter of 1984, individuals volunteering in the Grace Episcopal Church soup kitchen realized that more people than ever were seeking shelter in public buildings. A group of business and civic leaders, religious leaders, and Charleston Major Joseph P. Riley, Jr. joined forces, determined to bring together the community’s resources to ensure everyone in need had a safe place to sleep. From that effort, Crisis Ministries was born.What began as a warm meal and a volunteer-staffed shelter has evolved into a comprehensive service agency dedicated to helping families and individuals end their homelessness.
Crisis Ministries provides food, shelter and hope to Charleston's most vulnerable citizens. They are the largest provider of shelter and supportive services to homeless men, women, and children in South Carolina. Crisis Ministries’ additional services consist of counseling, primary healthcare, legal consulting, veteran services and transitional housing. These proven programs assist every homeless individual and family in regaining their self-sufficiency. Typically, 50 – 55% of those sheltered become engaged in programs.
Of those enrolled in programs, approximately 50% successfully move into housing each year. On average, Crisis Ministries houses 1,600 people per year. The challenges faced by people that are homeless are complex and multi-faceted. People become homeless for a myriad of reasons including financial problems, mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic abuse, physical health problems, or a combination of any of these factors. What everyone has in common though, is that they have no support systems to rely on. Most often people try to get help from their friends or family but when they have exhausted these resources, they go to the shelter.
Crisis Ministries would not be able to provide these services without the thousands of volunteers who give of their time and energy and contribute to make this organization a success. Volunteers help the Kitchen Staff serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday. To check availability please visit their online Meal Calendar.
There are other ways to voluteer as well. In addition to monetary donations, Crisis Ministries is almost always is in need of specific items, all of which can be found at the local super market. Check List
Crisis Ministries receives 60% of its funding from community support and the other 40% from government support, as in federal, state, city, and county grants. They are also a proud partner of The united Way.
Damon Crawley speaks on The Crisis Ministries 3 step plan which he is currently working to complete.
Conatct Crisis Minitries:
Send an e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
call 843-723-9477.
Visit Website
Address:
573 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29413-0038
For more than 28 years, Camp Happy Days has offered a comprehensive, year-round support system for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. They believe that every child battling cancer in South Carolina should have an opportunity to benefit from a summer camp experience and other life-changing programs regardless of family income or economic status. Every program we offer is free to the families we serve and we are challenged to raise 100% of the funds needed to support them. There are between 150 and 200 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed each year in South Carolina and this number has increased consistently by 1% each year for the past 20 years.
What staff and volunteers see at Camp Happy Days is life changing stories because of the hope, wonder, and magic that Camp Happy Days offers these incredible children. Executive Director, Amy Etheridge, recalls the story of Pearl.
Pearl is a beautiful thirteen year-old who lost her leg to Osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. She is blessed with a 
wonderful, easy going personality, an engaging smile and just the right amount of spunk and enthusiasm. When I first met Pearl, during our Annual Disney Trip in February 2008, it was obvious that she was very self-conscious about her prosthetic leg. She wore long pants during the entire trip despite the heat and opted not to ride her favorite roller coaster when the attendant informed her that she would have to remove her prosthesis to do so. Pearl was clearly embarrassed about this situation and it was obvious how much this affected her self-esteem and confidence.
Fast forward a few months to Camp Happy Days, June 29 – July 5, 2008. At Camp, surrounded by others who understand what it is like to have cancer, I saw an incredible transformation take place in Pearl. As she participated in activities throughout the week there was not a hint of embarrassment. Not only did she wear shorts every day, but she proudly showed everyone the tattoo of a horse that she had gotten on her prosthesis. She took on every challenge possible and even found the courage to complete the climbing wall and a section of the high ropes course amid the cheers of her cabin mates and counselors.
However, I experienced one of my most memorable moments on Friday morning when nearly 25 campers and counselors gathered on the dock for the morning Polar Bear Swim across the lake (approximately ¼ mile each way). As everyone excitedly prepared for the swim, I watched in amazement as Pearl proudly removed her leg and joined in the conversation. I could not help feeling proud of her self-confidence and determination. As the lifeguard blew her whistle, everyone jumped in and began to swim. Pearl swam all the way across the lake and most of the way back. It was truly a memorable moment that I will never forget and a testament to how Camp and the friendships made there positively impact the lives these children.
One of the most important purposes of Camp is to create an opportunity for children fighting cancer to meet and bond with others who know what its like to lose your hair, be sick from treatment or even lose a limb to cancer. These special friendships help critically ill children learn that no matter how different they feel, they are not alone in their fight. Opportunities like this also foster self-esteem and help these children build networks of support which will help inspire and encourage them when they need it most.
Visit Camp Happy Days Website for opportunities to get involved .
This years Camp Wish List includes Seamstresses on Sunday July 4th for prom dress alterations.
Also Certified Lifeguards for the week of July 3-10 as well as the Supplies (View List)
