New Giving Project for Homeless Veterans in North Charleston

By Cheryl Peters

Christ Community Lutheran of North Charleston is a mission congregation of the South Carolina Lutheran Synod. Our numbers are small, but our hearts are large. Imagine our happiness to receive a 2019 Growing in God’s Mission Grant for $5,400.00 to begin a new giving project for homeless veterans in North Charleston.

Christ Community Lutheran has been assisting a group of what we have lovingly called our Homeless Vets in the Woods. We work with Mr. George Peeples to act as our liaison between this group of veterans and our church in providing bottled water, batteries for portable fans, and insect repellant for this group of veterans. During our colder months, we provide non-perishable food, socks, hats, gloves, coats and other needed items.

However, CCL wanted to take the next step by assisting veterans who are coming out of homelessness and into a shelter situation. After doing some research, we discovered that One80 Place, a homeless shelter in Charleston, South Carolina in conjunction with Ralph Johnson VA Hospital assists homeless veterans in finding apartments in the Charleston Area. Patriot Villas on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston was once a motel which has been renovated into 74 efficiency apartments, specifically for newly off the street homeless Veterans. There is an affordable cost to the veteran for monthly rent. The rooms include a private bath, a twin bed, a microwave and small refrigerator. After speaking with the manager of Patriot Villas, Christ Community Lutheran learned that the room did not come furnished with sheets, pillows, shower curtains; more like a college dorm room.

The grant was written to propose that Christ Community Lutheran of North Charleston would like to provide these Veterans with a twin sheet set, pillow, shower curtain and rings, two towels and 3-4 wash cloths for each resident. CCL of North Charleston has now delivered the first dozen boxes to the Veterans in June 2019, and another order has been placed for the next dozen boxes which will be delivered in July. By the time we complete the project, we will have provided a box of linens to each resident of Patriot Villas. With God’s Work and Our Hands in our hearts, we are excited to provide for our brave men and women veterans by making their new residence be as comfortable as possible.