Give a Gift of Hope for the Holidays

It is that time of year to begin purchasing gifts for your family and friends. This year, look no further for the right gift. Crisis Ministries' Holiday Wish Catalog allows you to give the gift of hope by sponsoring services we provide our clients in honor of special people in your lives. In return, we send your friends, family and colleagues a holiday card explaining your gift.

Crisis Ministries Holiday Wish Catalog is designed to look like a authentic retail catalog by giving creative descriptions of items to purchase for Crisis Ministries such as “School Days” for $40, which will make sure that a child has supplies, breakfast, and clean clothes for school or “A Shot in the Arm” for $40, which will provide two visits to our health clinic.  If you are feeling extra generous and the spirit of the holidays is with you, you can purchase “Miracle on Meeting Street” for $5,000, which will keep the entire shelter and all of its services running for a day.

Holiday Wish Catalogs have been mailed, but we can still mail you one by clicking here and emailing your address. We also have our catalog online, where you can choose your items online and purchase them on our secure website. To purchase from our online Holiday Wish Catalog, click here.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week brings attention to rising number of homeless veterans

This year for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Crisis Ministries focused on the number of veterans being served in our community. On Veteran's Day, November 12th, Crisis Ministries held a special lunch for all homeless veterans. Tom Crawford with ABC Channel 4 and a group of Air Force volunteers served in the Soup Kitchen. Veterans were served crab legs and steak and sat at tables that were decorated with patriotic décor. Patriotic music was played and cake was served for desert.

On Wednesday, November 14th, Crisis Ministries collaborated with the Lowcountry Food Bank in our third Hunger and Homelessness press conference and forum. It was held at Lowcountry Food Bank and was open to the public. Speakers included Jermaine Husser, Lowcountry Food Bank's Executive Director, Carl Falk, Lowcountry Food Bank's Chairman, Stacey Denaux, Crisis Ministries Executive Director, Andy Gowder, Crisis Ministries Chairman, Melissa Kelly, Veteran Villas Executive Director and veteran Tony Woodson, a client in our Veteran's Transitional Dorm program.

Mr. Woodson shared his appreciation for Crisis Ministries and the services we provide not only for veterans but all homeless individuals. Mr. Woodson and Ms. Kelly pointed out the increase in young veterans seeking services in the Charleston area and the need for the programs we are providing.

There are more than 900 homeless veterans in South Carolina, Crisis Ministries has served 218 veterans so far this year. Over the course of this year, more than 1,400 homeless men, women and children will seek and receive services at Crisis Ministries.

Service above Self-Crisis Ministries Interns

Service above self is easily seen in the daily actions of both John Toner and Taryn Jaskunas.  While they are both on separate career paths, each has set up an individual internship at Crisis Ministries as a way to gain skills that will help them with their own endeavors.  Crisis Ministries had a chance to sit down and talk with both Taryn and John who plan to make their service to others a future career.     

 “Life experiences are what make a social worker,” says Taryn. At age 23, Taryn is on a fast track program at the University of South Carolina and will finish her Masters in Social Work by May of 2008.  Affecting a lot of lives in a short period of time, Taryn handles this job like a dynamic staff member.  Currently, Taryn manages a small case load of guests, helps organize a Life Skills group, sets appointments and takes phone calls at the front desk and is working on the candle light memorial service dedicated to the homeless who passed away this year. 

“It’s how you handle crisis and what you learn,” said Taryn, reflecting on a personal experience.  If life experiences are what make a social worker then Taryn has certainly overcome hardship.  Taryn had a personal struggle when she lost her Dad from cancer. “He was a role model.” Ironically, her mom has been a Case Manager at MUSC for 14yrs.  Even though her mom is in the same field, Taryn is studying more on the macro level and wants to help on the side of organizational structure and grant writing. 

The phrase “service above self” is the motto of the Rotary Club.  A quick glance at John’s resume makes you wonder if he schedules time to sleep.  John is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and after his internship at Crisis Ministries he will study on a Rotary scholarship to serve indigenous Bolivians.  In Bolivia he will provide service to a community by teaching others how indigenous education development can jump start other programs and help build a community.

“The plan is to create an international volunteer network to students studying in Bolivia who can give back and get involved in the community.”  John has jumped in head first to help guests, staff and other volunteers.  Our computer lab is up and running with newly defined educational programs for our guests. John is teaching the staff Spanish. Whether on the Soup Kitchen line or out in the public talking about Crisis Ministries, John easily influences others to see his vision.         

To get a sense behind the heart and reason of both John and Taryn you have to work beside them on a daily basis.  “You really see there are human needs, this is exactly the experience I need,” said John.  It will be a sad departure when both John and Taryn leave us, but knowing what they plan to accomplish makes it easier.  Our mission is the same.  Serving others above self is what makes it possible.