It’s National Public Health Week — a time to focus on protecting and improving the health of our community. Much of health happens outside the walls of a hospital or clinic, with medical care accounting for only around 10% of an individual’s overall health. The rest happens in our communities: where we work, live, learn, play, and age, and it is shaped by things like our access to food, housing, education, and social support.
Fortunately, our Charleston community has organizations that are purposeful and passionate about ensuring individuals and families have access to the programs and resources needed to be healthy. I once heard a wise person serving meals in a soup kitchen say that the only thing that determines who’s on either side of the meal line is time. All of us need help at some point in our lives, whether that be assistance with basic needs, mental health services, or social support. If you or your family are in need, MUSC’s Population Health Department has put together a list of resources and organizations that can help you.
And, if you’re on the other side of that line and you’re ready to give back, the organizations below are always looking for donations and volunteers.
*Please note – While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and details, we encourage you to call ahead for any location listed to be sure nothing has changed. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know.
Organizations That Provide Wrap-Around Services
The organizations below are “one-stop shops” for addressing social needs. We deliberately chose to highlight organizations that serve the general tri-county area and provide multiple types of services, from meeting basic needs (food, housing, and utilities) to providing education and programs for employment, and so much more. Most of the organizations below will do an intake assessment and customize services to meet an individual’s or family’s unique needs.
- Navigation Center
The Navigation Center provides connections for homeless people in Charleston (and those at risk of homelessness) to connect with service providers and to enroll in job readiness training, housing, educational programs, financial management workshops, life-skills training, health care, and mental health services. They also serve veterans. Providing person-centered care, this non-profit serves as a central hub and can connect each family and individual with resources to help address their unique situations. Click here for more information on services and to complete an intake form, or call 855-355-1200. You can also support the work of the organization through donations or volunteering.
- Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
The mission of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach is to build equitable communities and empower individuals to reach their full potential by providing basic and emergency needs, education, employment, and health services. The Outreach provides dental and prenatal care, emergency food, clothing, financial assistance, lunch five days every week (Neighborhood House location), and diverse educational and capacity-building opportunities such as after-school programs, financial literacy, GED and ESL classes, workforce development, and more. With locations on Johns Island and downtown Charleston, the organization serves those living in communities from Downtown Charleston to Edisto Island. Click here for more details on the services provided and how to access resources. The organization also accepts donations and welcomes volunteers. To find out more information on their services or how to get involved, call 843-559-4109.
- Neighbors Together
Neighbors Together’s four primary pillars of service concern hunger, health and wellness, homelessness, and economic mobility. However, this non-profit provides several additional services to help those in need. Their mission is to bring a better quality of life to our neighbors through sharing resources, developing relationships, and building a sustainable future. Click here for information about services and to access help, or call 843-747-1788. Neighbors Together is also looking for volunteers and accepts donations.
- Palmetto Community Action Partnership
The mission of Palmetto Community Action Partnership is to serve community members in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties by promoting economic independence via programs and partnerships. They offer a variety of services, including rental assistance, affordable housing, utility and food assistance, weatherization, financial literacy and budgeting classes, and career and education programs. You can schedule an appointment online to request services or call 844-769-6448. Click here for information on how to donate or volunteer.
Find Help Resources
Below is a list of websites providing self-service functionality for individuals looking to find services and resources in their geographical areas.
- 211
211 is a comprehensive source of information about local services and resources. You can call 211 to speak with someone or use their website to search for resources, including assistance with food, housing, and medical care by zip code. You can also TEXT 2-1-1 for more assistance.
- Findhelp.org
Findhelp.org connects people to financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help by zip code.
- MUSC Coastal Connections
MUSC Coastal Connections is a program that supports the MUSC community by linking those with unmet social needs to community resources. For a link to community resources compiled by Coastal Connections MUSC staff, click here.
Health Insurance
- Palmetto Project
The Palmetto Project is a resource for help finding access to affordable health insurance. This organization is committed to all South Carolinians having access to quality, affordable preventive, primary, and specialty healthcare services. For information on health insurance options visit Insure SC through the Palmetto Project: a one-stop shop to enroll and gather information about health coverage options including Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and private insurance.
Free Clinics
See below for a list of providers that provide free medical and dental care.
- Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic
3226 Maybank Highway, Building C, Johns Island, SC 29455
Phone: 843-266-9800
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a clinic that currently offers free healthcare services to uninsured adults who reside or work on Johns Island, James Island, Wadmalaw Island, Folly Beach, Meggett, Ravenel, Hollywood, or Walterboro, as well as those who serve Charleston’s hospitality industry.
- Fetter Health Care Network
Phone: 843-722-4112
Fetter Health Care Network is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive services for insured, uninsured, and underserved residents in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester Counties. The network includes 20 different sites, a dental practice, medical labs, and a pharmacy.
- The Dream Center Clinic
West Ashley Phone: 843-225-3345
North Charleston Phone: 843-225-1115
The Dream Center Clinic is a faith-based free medical clinic. Their purpose is to provide routine outpatient health and wellness services to the medically underserved residents of North Charleston, Hanahan, Goose Creek, and West Ashley. The primary focus is on uninsured families whose income is below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
Phone: 843-559-4109
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach offers free OB/GYN and dental clinics serving patients on the Sea Islands and part of West Ashley.
For the Mamas
Motherhood presents its own unique set of challenges. If you are in need of diapers, baby items, or parenting resources, please see this article written by a Charleston Moms colleague, highlighting some of the organizations that are providing support to us, mamas, when we need it most.
A healthy community requires everyone, on both sides of the line, to come together to support one another.
Please let us know of other organizations that are promoting healthy families and communities, and Happy National Public Health Week!
Special THANK YOU to Rita Aidoo for co-authoring this article.
Rita is a Licensed Social Worker and the Manager of Community Navigation under the Population Health Program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Rita’s focus is on high-risk, high-utilizer patients to address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) needs. Rita also oversees MUSC’s Coastal Connections referral platform. Rita helped build a statewide Community Resource Library currently embedded into MUSC’s EPIC/EMR. In the community, Rita has worked with the homeless population as a social service coordinator at the Neighborhood House located in Downtown Charleston. Director of social services at Heartland of West Ashley Skilled Nursing facility, now Viviant Healthcare of Charleston. At MUSC, Rita has worked as a Supervisor to Peer Recovery Coaches in the adult Emergency Department and as a Pediatric Primary Care and Sickle Cell Social worker.
