Chilly Weather, Warm Hearts

Our congregation, St. Johannes Lutheran Church, has partnered with Next Steps of South Carolina and The Navigation Center to support a vital ministry in the Charleston area. The Navigation Center is a non-profit that began by serving military veterans and has since expanded to help anyone in crisis. The Center's mission is to empower our most vulnerable neighbors by helping them navigate the complex system of services needed to rebuild sustainable, independent lives.

By providing a volunteer counselor and financial assistance from St Johannes and Next Steps of South Carolina, we join a powerful, collaborative network of over 70 organizations dedicated to this work. It is through this partnership that we can be part of true, lasting life change. Here are a few more stories of our neighbors who this shared work has helped.

Honoring Victoria's Faith and Devotion

Victoria (grey cap) is a genuinely remarkable 79-year-old great-grandmother who cares for her 11-year-old great-grandson. Ever since her husband passed away, she has been working hard to adjust to her new circumstances. The loss of her husband's income and support has created financial challenges, leaving her behind on her water bill.

Despite these difficulties, Victoria remains a happy and optimistic person, drawing strength primarily from her strong faith. We were honored to help her with her water bill, supporting this devoted great-grandmother who has taken on the responsibility of raising her great-grandson. Victoria's positive spirit and unwavering faith in the face of loss and challenge were truly inspiring.

Supporting Tony's Work Ethic and Recovery

Tony is a 74-year-old man who still works as a Lyft driver, demonstrating a remarkable work ethic and determination. Recently, his car was totaled in a wreck where the other driver was at fault. This event significantly affected his income, though he quickly purchased another car to continue working. However, he has fallen behind on his electric bill during this challenging transition.

Tony is actively seeking full-time employment, and The Navigation Center is helping him with his job search. While his replacement car is not in the best condition, he works as much as he can for Lyft. We were able to help with his overdue electric bill, providing enough assistance to keep his power on. Tony is a very bright individual, and we were encouraged by his determination to keep working and improve his situation at 74.

Finding the Right Opportunity for Doreen

Doreen (black cap) is a 41-year-old mother of three teenage children who works as a delivery driver. However, her ability to work is limited by bad weather, which creates instability in her family's income. She needs a new job but has struggled to find suitable employment due to her lack of experience and the demands of being a single mother. The children's father does not provide child support.

There is reason for hope: Doreen has a commercial driver's license, and The Navigation Center is optimistic about finding employment that works for her schedule and skills. When she desperately needed help with her rent, we were able to assist. We are hopeful that The Navigation Center's job placement efforts will help Doreen find stable, weather-independent employment that allows her to support her family better.

Mobilizing Support for Evie and Her Five Children

Evie (pink hat) is the mother of five minor children, ages 4 to 14. She recently began working for a home health agency after losing her previous job. Despite her employment, she barely gets by each month, and her electricity has been disconnected. To have it restored, she needs to pay her entire balance, creating a significant financial burden.

Evie was understandably desperate about her situation. The Navigation Center coordinated contributions from several organizations to resolve this crisis, demonstrating the power of collaborative support. We were able to help substantially, joining with other organizations to restore electricity to a home with five young children. This coordinated response exemplifies how the network of support can address urgent needs that no single organization could handle on its own.

Preventing Lisa's Return to Homelessness

Lisa is a 51-year-old woman whom Next Steps did not see, but The Navigation Center asked for our help with her urgent situation. After living on the streets for 4 years, Lisa finally has her own apartment. However, she has been threatened with water service disconnection, and if that happens, she will be evicted, potentially returning her to homelessness.

The Navigation Center is actively working to find employment for Lisa. We were able to pay enough to have her water reconnected, preventing the eviction that would have undone four years of progress toward stability. Lisa's situation reminds us how fragile housing security can be and how critical it is to intervene quickly to prevent people from falling back into homelessness.

Helping Jackie Recover from Workplace Injury

Jackie was also not seen by Next Steps, but The Navigation Center asked for our assistance. She is a mother of three children, ages 11, 12, and 17. While working, a box of oil bottles fell on her foot, causing an injury that kept her from working for 6 months. This extended period of reduced income created financial strain for her family.

The good news is that Jackie is now much better and has secured a better job at MUSC. However, she has fallen a bit behind on her electric bill due to her injury. We were glad to help her catch up, supporting a mother who has overcome a workplace injury and found better employment. Jackie's story is one of resilience and recovery, and we were honored to help her family during this transition to better circumstances.

If you would like to know more about this ministry or how you can help, please let Tom or Pastor Aaron know.