Charleston County Human Services Commission (CCHSC) is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency. The mission of the agency is to serve the economically disadvantaged residents of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties by increasing selfsufficiency, and developing strategies to promote economic independence through partnerships. Our main office, and outreach centers provide programs which will combat unemployment, poor living conditions, homelessness, poor health and poor nutrition. In 2011, Charleston County Human Services Commission provided services to 18,072 individuals in 7,526 families through its emergency outreach and self-sufficiency programs. CCHSC receives its funding primarily from a combination of federal grant programs such as the Community Services Block Grant, 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Economic Opportunity Act Program, the Department of Energy through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, and by way of other private sources. The CCHSC Board of Directors is made up of private business men and women, elected government officials, and representatives from the low-income community. The Board of Directors are responsible for planning the programs’ policies, and approving the programs’ budgets. All programs and their corresponding services are subject to funding availability, and program calendars. The agency welcomes financial support from the community to help provide more services throughout the Charleston area.
SERVICE LOCATIONS Central Office 1069 King Street Charleston, SC 29403 843-724-6760 Fax: 843-724-6787 Outreach Offices Charleston 1069 King Street Charleston, SC 29403 843-723-9285
Programs and Services
About CCHSC
Charleston County Human Services Commission
Programs and Services
Berkeley County 100 S. Highway 52 Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-761-6935/6936 Dorchester County 2885 W. 5th North Street Summerville, SC 29483 843-875-1168 or 832-7053 Dorchester County (inside DSS office) 201 Johnson Street Saint George, SC 29477 843-563-9524, Ext 305
**NO WALK-INS. CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT.**
Planting the Seeds of Self-Sufficiency
**All donations are tax deductible.**
Let CCHSC Help YOUR Family...
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Arnold Collins, Executive Director Reba Hough-Martin, Deputy Director 843-724-6760 phone 843-724-6787 fax www.cchscom.com
PROGRAMS
SERVICES
CONTACT TELEPHONE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
OUTREACH Charleston Water Systems (CWS) / Good Neighbors
Assistance with payment of water services, with a grant of $100.00 toward payment; services available all year
Outreach Department
724-6760 CHS 723-9285 CHS 761-6935 / 6936 BER 875-1168 DOR 832-7053 DOR
Service must be in disconnect status; delinquent bill in applicant's name; proof of monthly income; persons 18 years old and over with zero income must have verification from job service; photo ID; social security cards and date of birth for all members of household.
General Emergency Assistance Program (GEAP)
Provides emergency assistance once a year
Outreach Department
SAME AS ABOVE
Sustainable monthly income; delinquent bill within 30 days; photo ID; social security cards for all members of household; documentation of an emergency.
Low Income Home Provides financial assistance with emergency energy Energy Assistance bills via grants paid directly to service providers; serProgram (LIHEAP) vices rendered twice yearly
Outreach Department
SAME AS ABOVE
Seniors, disabled individuals; households with children 5 years of age or younger; photo ID; social security cards and birth date for all household members; proof of income for anyone 18 yrs and older for past 30 days, if zero income must have verification from job service; bill must be in applicant's name.
Project Share (SCE&G) Energy Assistance
Provides financial assistance with emergency energy bills to prevent termination for SCE&G customers only, June through September
Outreach Department
SAME AS ABOVE
Seniors, disabled individuals; households with children less than 5 years of age; photo ID; social security cards and birth date for all household members; proof of income for anyone 18 years and older for past 30 days, if no income must have job seekers verification and zero income history printout from unemployment; bill must be in applicant's name.
Provides resources to assist disadvantaged residents of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties to be successful in seeking employment, maintaining their jobs, and identifying careers; Services include work support; childcare and transportation assistance; tuition and certification assistance; GED/HS diploma assistance. Services available all year.
Jennifer Brown
843-724-6760 ext. 230
Photo ID, social security cards of all household members; verification of total family income for all household members 18 years and older for past 30 days; excluding high school students; if applicant has no income, must present job seekers verification and zero income history printout from unemployment office.
Encourages and enhances character building, educational achievement, civic responsibility and career exploration for the purpose of developing leadership in eligible youth; Services include free summer camp, summer school tuition assistance and school uniform assistance; services available all year
Mallory Mace
843-724-6760 ext. 238
Monthly income; photo ID; social security card for applicant; social security numbers for all household members.
ASSET BUILDING
Provides low-income persons of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties with budgeting, credit counseling, debt management and free tax preparation to increase self-sufficiency and financial knowledge.
Sheila M. West
843-724-6760 ext. 509
Reside in Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester county; meet federal income guidelines; present picture ID and Social Security Card; present total household income within the past 30 days prior to application; provide Social Security Cards for all members of the household; provide birth dates for all members of the household.
WEATHERIZATION
Address insulation, infiltration and minor repairs of homes to conserve energy
Weatherization Department
843-720-5336
Photo ID, social security cards of all household members; meet income eligibility guidelines; verification of total family income for all household members 18 years and older for past 30 days; reside in a single family dwelling; all homes are assessed to determine repairs; resident of Charleston, Berkeley, Beaufort, Dorchester, Jasper, or Colleton County.
PROJECT PRIDE
YOUTH EDUCATION ENRICHMENT
HOUSING Affordable Housing
Builds and sells affordable housing for first-time home owners.
Willi Glee
843-730-3330
Families with incomes at 80% of median or below.
New Promise Permanent Housing
Provides and obtains permanent housing for the chronically homeless
Doris Grant
843-724-6760
Unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition; must be continuously homeless for a year or more OR have had 4 episodes of homelessness within the past 3 years, in an emergency shelter during these stays; must be able to prove one of the following disabilities: Mental Illness, chronic alcohol/drug abuse, recovery from surgical procedures, HIV/AIDS, developmental challenges, Veteran, victim of domestic violence.
Rentals
Provides low income families with subsidized rental units
Outreach Department
843-724-6760
Emergency Mortgage
Mortgage assistance to avoid foreclosure (money management counseling required);
Asset Building
843-724-6760 ext. 509 Every Monday from 1pm-4pm
Resident of Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester County; photo ID; check stubs from past 30 days and/or Award letter from SSI/Soc Sec; income must sustain household to maintain monthly finances; household members over 18 must provide proof of income for past 30 days; if zero income, must present job seekers verification and zero income history printout from unemployment office.