Helping Always Feels Good

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.

A New Chapter for Alan

Alan (the only man pictured) is 57 years old and has spent time in jail. But when you meet him, what you see is a man who is clearly done with that chapter of his life. He is focused, determined, and very much on track to build something new.

He has temporary employment right now and is working with The Navigation Center to find something more stable and long-term. He has also found a good boarding house that provides the kind of structure and support he needs during this transition. He used most of his money to move in, which left him short on rent.

We were glad to help. There is something deeply meaningful about walking alongside someone who is choosing a better path. Alan is doing the hard work of rebuilding his life. We are honored to be part of that story.

Standing with Judy Through a Bureaucratic Setback

Judy (pictured) is a 61-year-old widow. Her husband passed away six years ago, and she has been managing on her own ever since, supplementing her Social Security death benefits by working part-time. She is a hard worker who takes her responsibilities seriously.

Then, Social Security told her she had made too much money two months ago and began withholding her benefits. Just like that, her carefully balanced budget was thrown into crisis. Through no fault of her own, she found herself unable to cover her electric bill after paying everything else.

We were able to step in and cover that bill. Judy is doing everything right. She is working, managing her finances carefully, and fighting to get her benefits restored. Sometimes people need someone to catch them when a system lets them down. We were glad to be there for Judy.

Helping Anita Through a Season of Change

Anita is in a season of transition. Her daughter has just left for college, which is a wonderful milestone, but it also means Anita no longer needs the larger apartment she has been renting. She is actively looking for something smaller and more affordable, and The Navigation Center is helping her in that search.

In the meantime, she has fallen behind on her water bill while she waits for that next chapter to begin. We were able to help her cover that bill and bridge the gap. It is a good reminder that sometimes people need a little patience and a little help to get from where they are to where they are going. Anita is on her way. We were glad to help her get there.

Keeping a Mother and Son Safe on a Stormy Day

The weather was particularly bad on this day, and no one was able to make it in to see us. But the need did not stop because of the rain.

The Navigation Center reached out to ask if we could help pay for a motel room for a woman and her 14-year-old son, who are homeless. She had just found work, thanks to The Navigation Center, and was working that very day. She could not see us herself, but her situation was urgent.

The Navigation Center covered part of the room cost and just needed a little more to keep them safe while a more permanent housing solution is found. We provided that help. There is something that moves you deeply about a mother who is out working to provide for her son, even while they are living in a motel room. She is doing everything she can. We were glad to do our part, too.

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