Can we end homelessness in Charleston? Project Hands Up Lowcountry believes we can

By Mark A. Leon – Photo courtesy of Amanda Marquette-Baird

Every Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM near Simmons Park (33 Columbus Street) on the East Side, a migration begins.  Much like the plight of the penguins, pockets of Charleston area homeless gather for a community event; weekly pot luck in the park.  This past week, the event took an evolutionary step offering health screens to the humble masses.  Project Hands Up Lowcountry, led by the efforts of Dana Clayton see a future where our area homeless have a roof above their heads, food on the table and provide a valuable contribution to society.

A medical professional by trade whose past took her from providing healthcare to the migrant farmers in the tobacco fields of North Carolina to dedicating herself to providing all the resources to reduce and ultimately end the homeless issue in Charleston County, Dana Clayton continues to give all of her time and efforts to this cause and her voice is being heard.

Her vision of partnership, financial support, training, education and government assistance are separated by short and long term goals.  These goals, though challenging and often overwhelming are attainable.

Often we are driven by a personal cause, an event or a situation that forces our conscious to seek salvation in a solution.  On the weekend of the 1000 year flood, Dana found a homeless veteran who had passed through Charleston and walked 65 miles in sandals in the treacherous rain trying to get down to Jacksonville, Florida for a job interview.  She described the condition of his feet in such detail that her words made me turn my head in sorrow.  After providing medical treatment to this man, her commitment to ridding this city of homelessness became a focused mission.

Dana and I sat down for a candid discussion focused on goals, accomplishments, areas of improvement and the minds and souls of the homeless whose daily struggles in a city thriving have left many wondering.

CD:  Where can the homeless be found?

DC:  Some much recent media attention has been given to the Tent City downtown that many don’t realize there are homeless in other areas of the county.  There are communities on John’s Island, James Island, West Ashley, North Charleston and downtown.  It is an immense challenge to develop programs, consolidate efforts and find a common organizational front.  Last week at the Tent City Initiative meeting at the Charleston County Library downtown, voices were heard and steps began to formulate toward a collective effort.  We are really excited to see the direction we are moving.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Marquette-Baird

CD:  What are the short and long term goals for these program initiatives?

DC:  More funding and government partnerships.  These are two critical pieces of the puzzle.  We also need consistency in our volunteer efforts and a strong communication channel for planning.  Long term we want to get more homeless back in the workforce and create affordable housing.  In additional provide educational, legal and counseling resources.

CD:  What are key elements missing from the existing programs?

DC:  We need to get these individuals identification cards.  Many have no form of ID and without it, they cannot get any medical care, interview for jobs or register for any type of city offered training programs.  Healthcare is critical.  There are two free clinics, but they are in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston and the current transportation issues provide a new set of challenges.  We need better care for the mentally ill.  Realistically, about 60% or more of the current homeless population have some form of mental illness.  Finally, we are in brainstorming sessions for providing educational resources and job placement training opportunities.

CD:  What options are currently available for emergency shelters?

DC:  Currently, there are no permanent downtown options available.  Hibben United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant provides bus service and shelter for the downtown homeless.  Overall, there are four shelters that aid in getting the homeless out of the deep freeze overnights.

CD:  How do you measure success and true homeless population?

DC:  Unfortunately, this is a group that you won’t find analytics or a community website for.  In our minds, every life matters.  In about two weeks, we will have a website that will provide information about events, resources and a volunteer calendar.

CD:  If anything, what needs to change in the short term?

DC:  Stronger political partnership.  We need to be hand in hand with the new administration to drive programs, awareness and support.  We are currently looking at programs around the United States that have succeeded and seeing how we can make them scalable to this area.

CD:  What have you seen as the greatest success of the program?

DC:  The feeding programs have been growing and more volunteers are helping.  This has fueled more exposure and greater awareness.  We hope this trend continues into the future.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Marquette-Baird

There is an overwhelming amount of support in the Charleston Community, but a long way to go.  There are a number of organizations working independently, but with talks opening up, efforts are being made to create a cohesive organization focused on one primary goal:  End homelessness in our area.

It begins with a gesture, fueled by a passion and resolved with compassion.

The commitment of Dana Clayton and others like her remind us that the struggle exists, but with these tireless efforts the darkness can become light.

To Learn more about volunteer opportunities or program initiatives:

projecthanduplowcountry@gmail.com / 843.471.0697