Palmetto Community Care releases 2021 Annual Report

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In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Subsequently, South Carolina ordered the closing of all non-essential businesses. Determined to provide essential services to the many clients that depend on the agency, we quickly and strategically pivoted the agency, and at no point as an organization shut down or discontinued services. Despite the pandemic, we sustained and grew as an organization by servicing more individuals in our community. Numbers do not mean everything but they do serve as the vital signs of an agency, painting a larger picture of health. Here are some comparative statistics to not only paint that picture but illustrate the incredible growth of PCC over the years:

  • In 2019-2021 the prevention program performed over 12,200 STI tests. More than 500 persons tested positive for STIs and were referred to medical care. A total of 106 new PrEP patients were enrolled in the 340B program.
  • Medical Case Management provided over 42,000 direct services for clients over the three-year period. These services include medication assistance, nutritional support, legal services, housing assistance, insurance co-pays, deductibles, etc.
  • Housing and utility assistance increased by 45% from 2019 to 2021. These vital services prevent homelessness and offer stable housing so our clients can focus on their medical needs and remain medically compliant.
  • In 2019, the agency paid $692,758.00 for medical insurance coverage compared to $1,099,939.00 paid in 2021. By focusing on a vital need, we enrolled more clients in the program, increasing premium payments by 59%. Access to health care ensures a better quality of life for our clients and reaches the ultimate goal of viral suppression.
  • PCC was selected to participate in the Federal Ending HIV Epidemic (EHE) Grant Pilot project through DHEC for prevention services. We received funding to implement the programs for $149,000 through a competitive grant award. These additional funds are a 56% increase to the agency’s prevention budget.

It’s a new day, and we are no longer the small non-profit around the corner.  Our communities need us, and we must plan accordingly.

Please take a moment to review our 2021 Annual Report and learn more about last year’s projects and our impact in the Charleston community.


First Tee – Greater Charleston receives a 150K donation from a private investment firm

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – First Tee – Greater Charleston, a local nonprofit committed to empowering kids and teens through the game of golf, announced the organization received a $150,000 donation from Ryan Hanks and Madison Capital Group. The donation will provide critical resources to support the growth and sustainability of First Tee programs that served 17,000 kids and teens in 2021 alone.  

“We are thrilled to invest in this wonderful organization,” said Ryan Hanks. “Their work is inspiring and will have a generational impact on children and families across the Greater Charleston community for years to come. We invite others to join us in furthering First Tee’s mission of empowering children and teens.” 

The Greater Charleston Chapter of the First Tee was started in 2008 and currently has 150 volunteers as coaches and mentors. There are more than 17,000 youth that participate in First Tee – Greater Charleston programs on golf courses, in schools, and in partnership with other youth serving agencies across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties. While many First Tee alumni have gone on to start successful careers, graduate college and play collegiate golf, First Tee is most proud of its efforts in Building Game Changers for our community.

“This donation is transformational for a nonprofit like ours. It gives the organization the essential resources to not only grow programs to reach more kids, but also invest in areas like coach training, transportation, and access that will have a lasting impact on the children and families that we serve,” said Bucky Dudley, Executive Director of First Tee – Greater Charleston. “We are tremendously grateful for Ryan and Madison Capital’s partnership and investment in our kids and teens!”

Individuals interested in getting involved or supporting First Tee – Greater Charleston should contact, Bucky Dudley, Executive Director at bucky@firstteeCHS.org. To learn more visit: www.firstteechs.org and FacebookInstagramTwitter, and YouTube.

About Ryan Hanks and Madison Capital Group
Ryan is Founder/CEO of Madison Capital Group, based in Charlotte, NC and focuses on the acquisition, development, and management of suburban, garden-style multifamily communities in the Southeast and Southwest, self-storage facilities on a national scale as well as Boat and RV storage acquisition and development opportunities throughout the Southeast.  For more information: www.madisoncapgroup.com.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston 
First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. Serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties, First Tee reaches 17,000 kids and teens annually on-course, in schools, and through community partnerships.  For more information, call (843) 864-4200 or visit www.firstteechs.org.

Charleston, South Carolina a Prime Destination for Renters on the Move in latest study

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When it comes to American renters on the move, Charleston is one of the top ten choices for relocation. According to a recent analysis of 3.4M rental applications, Charleston was the nation’s 11th hotspot for luring renters, ranked according to net migration as a proportion of the population. Overall, South Carolina has five cities in today’s top 100 renter havens.

Here are the main findings on Charleston’s rental market:

  • Charleston had 2.4 people moving in for every renter who left in 2021.
  • North Charleston residents constituted the largest percentage of incoming renters followed by those from Summerville and Mount Pleasant.
  • 65% of apartment hunters interested in Charleston hail from elsewhere. The biggest out-of-state source of new residents is Charlotte, New York, and Atlanta.
  • New Yorkers can expect a significant 29% increase in living space by moving to Charleston.
  • The majority of the new arrivals are young professionals. 44% of apartment hunters heading to the city were millennials, followed by GenZers at 26%.
  •  The most popular out-of-state destinations for people leaving Charleston were Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington DC (in this order).

Check out the full report for more detailed data, and to explore trends for major metro areas around the country, here: https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/us-renters-migrate-toward-feeder-cities-with-dallas-suburbs-biggest-renter-magnets/

PROS and CONS of Living in Summerville South Carolina

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New Video from Ryan McHugh

Are you thinking about moving to or relocating to Summerville South Carolina and wondering if you can handle living in South Carolina? In this video, we are going to show you all the things that you are supposed to know here in Summerville, South Carolina, including the things that you won’t like and the things that you might love.

We are going to be brutally honest about what it is like to live here. We don’t like to sugarcoat things. Listen to our tips because we have seen all of this through our own experience.

The Drip Lounge’s Charleston, SC Brick & Mortar Debut

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Charleston, SC- Charleston’s premier IV therapy provider, The Drip Lounge, will debut its high-end brick and mortar location on Friday, May 6 at 9 a.m. The 564 King St. location will offer top-notch drips with their advanced “push” vitamin technology, NAD+ and peptide treatments, as well as a wide range of speed vitamins from their shot bar.

The spacious lounge will be home to ten semi-private stations with luxurious recliners for Charleston imbibers, bachelorette/bachelor parties, girls groups, athletes or anyone looking to improve their hydration, sleep, energy, clarity and/or focus. The Drip Lounge’s expertly-curated packages like their Gamechanger and Glowing Goddess offer intentional combinations of electrolytes, vitamins, amino acids and minerals scientifically-designed to garner impactful results. Unique “push” vitamin technology injects ingredients directly into the bloodstream as opposed to diluting them in the saline solution, which allows the body to absorb nutrients at a much higher rate. 

“We’ve had a blast serving the Charleston area via our Mobile Drip Lounges for the past  12 months,” says The Drip Lounge Partner Brice O’Brien. “But having a home base on the Holy City’s bustling King St. is thrilling. We’re so excited to be a trusted provider of NAD and peptides and for visitors and locals alike to experience our fun and rejuvenating push vitamin technology.”

The Drip Lounge also provides highly sought-after NAD+ therapy, known to improve neurological function, support brain cell regeneration and boost energy and metabolism, cutting-edge peptide therapy that maximizes muscle growth and aids weight loss, and a vitamin shot bar for guests looking to get a quick boost of nutrition, energy and hydration.

Operating hours are Thursday- Monday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Guests can call (843) 990-4700 to book an appointment ahead, but walk-ins are welcome. The Mobile Drip Lounges will still be at events and available for private house calls in the Charleston area, great for bachelor/bachelorette parties, guys golf weekends, weddings and more.

Letter to My Future Charleston Baby Daughter

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Dear Emma,

Each night when you were all snug in your bed with Mr. Peeps, I read you a story. At the time, I took comfort that you just felt comfortable to hear my voice before you went to bed and as your eyes faded into the night, you never forget to whisper, “I love you” to me. That was our time and I always held it close to my heart. Those stories meant something more than a way to ease you to dreamland. They were filled with strength, courage, morals, compassion and love. These values I hope you will carry with you all your days.

I know I told you that I would always be there for you and I will. Each time you feel scared or confused, close your eyes and the memory of me with give you the security to carry you through the difficult times.

Sometimes you may think you hear my voice in the wind. You will. I will never leave you side.

You are my world and I hope you give as much love to your children as I to you. Times have changed dramatically as you have grown into this world. Technology is an integral part of your life. Communications are becoming void of emotion and relationships need to be the cornerstone of all that is real.

We would always say “the good old days” or “times were easier back in the day” You never had the chance to live without your smartphone, computer, iPad and other modern toys. Growing up, the streets and the parks were our game console and the neighborhood was the only world we knew. We could hear pins drop at night and see every star in the sky. Flowers and trees weren’t virtual. We didn’t want 3-D, we just wanted to touch everything. Curiosity and imagination gave us all the fuel we needed to be anyone or anywhere we wanted.

That is the magic of the stories I told you. It took you to a place that no game can ever match, your mind. You are blessed with the most wonderful piece of technology. The ability to dream and create is such a wonderful gift of which there is no price.

You are going to have to work hard. With continued population growth and limited career opportunities, you will fight every day to stay on top. Competition is coming globally from all directions as social media has given everyone the chance to gain virtual stardom and step on your chance for continued development.

I loved every job I ever had, but the most rewarding role of my life was loving every moment with you. A day never went by without the thought of seeing you every night rushing through my head. You were my muse, my inspiration.

I don’t want you to every stop succeeding but never let a game system or iPad replace a hug and a story.
Greatness is defined by moments but also by the influence we play in other’s lives.

As your children grow, they will look to you. They will receive peer pressure and they will try to find their own independence, but if you teach them well and let them know how much you love them, they won’t stray far.

My generation started feeling a sense of apathy and uncertainty about faith. I know you saw it too, but you turned out amazing. Watching you grow and embracing the earth, recycling, volunteering and treating everyone equally makes me believe that as I pass on, you will continue to stand up for the foundation of the things that are truly good in this world.

Artificial intelligence is a truly amazing feat with the potential to stretch the limits of possibility but love, compassion and something as simple as a hug can carry a weight much stronger than any robot.

I will never leave you, but you will be on your own now. Looking in your eyes, I always saw the inner strength you possessed and I knew that you would achieve greatness.

I will never stop looking down on you. Let your children have the toys that are now a part of every moment of our lives, but show them the wonders of the world and give all of yourself to them.

I love you sweetheart

Dad