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As part of the Foundation’s commitment to listen directly to those experiencing poverty in South Carolina, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina conducted four community Listening Sessions in Allendale, Johns Island, Greenwood and Bennettsville in 2010. Each location was strategically selected because of the different levels of poverty. For example, one community had a 16 percent poverty rate, while another one had 32 percent.
The response to the Foundation’s Listening Sessions was overwhelming with over 270 individuals participating, representing nearly 100 organizations across the four locations. Specific attention was given to obtaining diverse representation and perspectives. More than half of the participants voluntarily provided demographic information. The demographics of those that responded included:
- 57% female, 40% male;
- 34% African American, 27% Latino/Hispanic; 23% Caucasian/White, 5% were Native American;
- 36% were unemployed while 15% were working part-time;
- 24% had attended middle school or some high school as their highest level education, 17% had either a GED or high school diploma;
- 19% had an income range of $25,000 or below while 15% had an income range of $25,000 to $49,000.
During each Listening Session, a Foundation board of trustee’s member or staff member facilitated small focused table discussions among attendees to elicit their perspectives on their experience of poverty and its impact on their community. Throughout the Listening Sessions, families experiencing poverty shared―in a heartfelt way―their struggles, joys and pain.
They were remarkably open with us as they invited us humbly into their lives. We witnessed first-hand tremendous strength and resilience among those we talked with, felt their deep sense of heritage and heard the importance of informal support systems (friendships and family ties). Perhaps what resonated most was the importance and fundamental role faith and spirituality plays in their lives.
One Johns Island Hispanic resident shared, “we believe in God and have faith, that’s all we have.”
Those with a strong spiritual foundation and faith used this faith as an inspiration as they work to overcome so many barriers in order to move out of poverty.
“We’re just trying to make it from day to day," shared one Greenwood resident.
We wrapped up our Listening Sessions by asking participants to share their potential ideas, solutions and resources needed in their community in order to reduce poverty.
As one resident in Allendale shared, “people need to be given a chance to do something with their lives.”
“I need to see the hope to believe there is hope. Instead of telling me, show me the hope,” said one Bennettsville youth.
Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is the senior director of research for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.
I recently visited a small rural community in South Carolina, and passed a homeless young woman sitting in her car on a side street. I learned that during the long, cold winter nights, she sleeps bundled up with in blankets. When it is too cold for her body to bear, she turns her car on―in desperation―to generate a little extra heat. As I entered the building across the street from her parked car, she discretely moved her vehicle farther down the street as not to attract any further attention.
Although she hoped to be “invisible,” her presence over the past few weeks had already been noticed by the local community pastor. Realizing her needs, he enlisted a community member to approach her car and compassionately inquire about her well-being, “Are you okay? It’s cold out here; you could die.”
“If I’m lucky, I will,” was her response, reflecting the vast depth of her hopelessness and despair. Since that encounter, the pastor has quietly worked behind the scenes recruiting the community to watch over her, acknowledging her presence in a way that maintains her fragile sense of dignity and respect.
As I saw this woman sitting in her car and heard the pastor share her story, a million questions flooded my mind. Did she have family or friends concerned about her well-being and looking for her? What had happened in her life that had brought her to this place of desperation and loneliness? Would she ever trust someone enough to express her current needs and concerns?
Unfortunately, this young woman is not alone. South Carolina is a state with a history of significant poverty.There are twelve counties that have experienced persistent poverty for years, and there are many other men or women facing the same sense of isolation and hopelessness.
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina works to identify ways to document its collaborative efforts to reduce poverty in South Carolina. Often termed as “research,” it also includes listening to those experiencing poverty directly, along with other leaders and stakeholders in their community. It is one way to find answers to some of these questions and seek solutions to better our communities.
In an effort to really listen to those experiencing poverty and hear the voices of those who work daily in service to the poor, the Foundation is conducting several “Listening Sessions” in selected communities across the state this year. The first Listening Session was held in Allendale in March, and the Foundation will travel to Johns Island this month.
According to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, “Change can only happen when everyone who is affected has a seat at the table and has the opportunity to speak.” The Foundation hopes the listening sessions will allow us to use the gift of listening in order to better understand the potential concerns and solutions that could be utilized to meet unmet needs, and identify ways to facilitate change across the state where persistent poverty and hopelessness can abound.
Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is the senior director of research and special programs for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
