Outreach Programs

Christ Central / Hannah House · Cooperative Ministries · Cange, Haiti · Giving Tree · SisterCare · Harvest Hope Food Bank · Helping Hands · HomeWorks · Irish Children’s Summer Program

Hannah House

Hannah House is a multi-denominational Christian community service organization providing shelter for women and children.  Motivated by the teachings of

Jesus Christ, Hannah House is committed to identifying and responding to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of women and children.  Our services are available to all women and are provided by a caring staff and volunteers.  Hannah House partners with the wider community to give back a productive member of society.

Cooperative Ministries

St. John’s participates in this unique ministry of the religious community serving as an instrument of God’s love to those in crisis. Through the Ministry, religious congregations in the Greater Columbia area respond to requests for help from local and transient people, improve the quality of life for the needy and visibly reflect God’s care and concern for the total well-being of all persons in our community.

Cange, Haiti

Along with other churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, St. John’s supports the mission at Cange, Haiti.  The successes of this mission include a new church, school, medical complex and a children’s pavilion.  Read our diocese's plan (pdf) to support Cange.  Learn about the history of our diocese's efforts in Cange, our partner Partners in Health and one of its founders, a visionary, Dr. Paul Farmer, at links. 

Giving Tree

Each year during Advent, parishioners are offered an opportunity to assist the less fortunate by providing them Christmas gifts. Local agencies provide the names of children and adults who are in need at Christmas. On a tree, "Wish Tags" are placed giving the first name, age, sizes, and description of items needed. Parishioners who participate sign out a tag and return wrapped gifts for the individual listed on the tag on a designated Sunday in Advent. The gifts are brought forth, celebrated, and blessed during a Sunday service in Advent before distribution.  See photos of our most recent Giving Tree.

SisterCare

SisterCare is a United Way agency serving domestic violence victims in Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield and Kershaw counties. For the past several years, Sistercare has been a part of the Outreach Ministry at St. John's.

Sistercare provides shelter, counseling, and other similar services for abused women and their children.
Sistercare operates two shelters and served more than 2500 domestic violence victims last year, yet turned away victims last year because shelters were full.

Sistercare is currently building a third shelter thanks to community gifts that will match a federal grant.

The mission of Sistercare is so important because South Carolina consistently ranks among the five worst states in the nation in the incidence of women killed by domestic partners. Last year, South Carolina ranked number one in the number of women killed by men.  Victims span all races, social and economic groups.

How can you help? Shelters wish list items include sheets- single, double or queen, toilet items- soap, shampoo, etc., diapers of all sizes, and towels.

Contributions can be made to Sistercare at P. O. Box 1029, Columbia, SC 209202. Phone: 803-926-0505. For more information about Sistercare, visit their web site at: http://www.sistercare.com.