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. 

Chapoteau

One of our projects in Haiti is a school in the village of Chapoteau, not far from Cange.  Several Episcopal Churches, known as Chapoteau Partners, are fundraising to build and operate a new school in Chapoteau.  The new school building has been completed.  The old school building is being renovated into an administrative wing.  Find out more about Chapoteau from our brochure.

Bread and Water for Haiti

The million dollar plus Bread and Water Campaign is under way to benefit diocesan ministries in Haiti.  Current needs are in the following areas: water system, biodigesters and composting dry latrines; fiberglass project; agricultural project; and vocational school.

To contribute to the work in Cange donate online or make checks payable to & mail to:

Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Re: Haiti Bread & Water Fund

Attn: Julie Price

St. John's Haiti contact is Margaret Anne DuBose, 803-782-0661.

Giving Tree

We have all been so blessed. Wouldn’t you like to
begin your Advent by giving to someone in need? It
can be your first gift to the Christ Child. It’s that wonderful time of year again; time to prepare our hearts, wallets and wrapping paper for the Advent Giving Tree! This ministry touches the hearts of young and old, rich and poor, for it is in giving that we receive. What better way for our parish family to prepare for the Advent season together. The names on the Giving Tree are for adults from the Midlands Center and children from Parenting Partners (a.k.a. Prevent Child Abuse) and the Department of Social Services. Our gifts are their only Christmas so please give generously. The wish tags will be available beginning Sunday, November 16.  All packages must be tagged, wrapped and returned by Sunday, December 7. The tags provide information about the “child” and adults to help you with your shopping. They all need clothes, but children everywhere also wish for toys. This year, as in the past, St. John’s has committed to provide Christmas for around 185 people. We should consider them as a part of our family in giving and in prayers. Please feel welcome to take as many tags as your blessings and budget will allow. If your family would enjoy giving to a complete family, we have many in need. Please call us beforehand. We need volunteers to help in many areas of this project. See the November Messenger for contact names and numbers.  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.