Something Good In The Neighborhood

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 nonprofit that began serving military veterans and has since expanded to support 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 robust, collaborative network of over 70 organizations dedicated to this work. Through this partnership, we can be part of actual, lasting life change. Here are a few more stories from our neighbors who have benefited from this shared work.

Supporting Thelma Through Family Illness

Thelma (winter cap) is a 67-year-old retiree living on a minimal income. Her already tight budget has been strained by two significant challenges: her son has been very ill and is living with her. At the same time, he recuperates, and she herself has been experiencing medical problems that have resulted in unusual expenses.

These combined pressures caused Thelma to fall behind on her electric bill. We were honored to help her with that bill, providing relief during this difficult period when she is caring for her son while managing her own health challenges. It was a privilege to support someone who has opened her home to help her son heal.

Restoring Power and Dignity for Veteran Jack

Jack (veteran cap) is a military veteran who served in the Army as an Airborne and communications specialist. After many years of dedicated service at MUSC, he has retired. Jack appreciates living in a community with many other people with disabilities, where they can share their experiences and support one another. Recently, the VA provided him with a motorized wheelchair, which has dramatically improved his quality of life and independence.

Unfortunately, recent medical problems caused Jack to fall behind on his electric bill, and his service was disconnected. The Navigation Center, Next Steps, and St Johannes came together to pay for restoration of his power. We had a long, meaningful conversation with Jack, and his gratitude was deeply felt. It was an honor to help restore this essential service for a veteran who has given so much to our country.

Helping Bill Through Disability and Stroke Recovery

Bill (gray goatee) worked as a construction worker with steady employment until he suffered back and hip injuries, leaving him disabled. More recently, he suffered a stroke, which created additional medical challenges and caused him to fall behind on his electric bill. Despite these difficulties, Bill paid a substantial portion of the bill himself, demonstrating his commitment to managing his finances.

We were able to provide the remaining amount needed to prevent the disconnection of his electric service. It was encouraging to work with someone who was doing everything possible to meet his obligations despite facing significant health challenges. We were glad to bridge that gap and help Bill maintain this essential service during his recovery.

Advocating for Peggy's Health and Housing Needs

Peggy (long hair) is a 67-year-old woman who once worked multiple jobs but had to retire when she developed rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and a herniated disc. Her situation became more difficult when her landlord unilaterally raised her rent, forcing her to sell her car. She desperately needs to find more reasonable public housing options.

During our meeting, we worked together with someone from The Navigation Center to discuss pathways to new housing. We also discovered that Peggy is eligible for disability benefits, which she was unaware of. This will significantly reduce her prescription costs, which she currently cannot afford due to her lack of a Medicare Supplement. We provided guidance on how to proceed with these applications and, in the meantime, assisted with her rent payments. Peggy was extremely grateful, and we were encouraged by the multiple ways we could support her path toward greater stability.

Standing with Candice During Her Housing Crisis

We were unable to meet with Candice in person because she was in court fighting her eviction on the day of our scheduled meeting. The Navigation Center has been providing her with ongoing advice and guidance throughout this challenging process. Candice lives with her adult son, who had been helping with expenses until a surgery caused him to lose his job during his recovery period.

Although her son has found employment again, his pay is insufficient to cover all their expenses and to catch up on the rent arrears that led to the eviction proceedings. We provided rental assistance to support Candice during this crisis. We are hopeful that this assistance, combined with The Navigation Center's advocacy, will help her maintain her housing and achieve stability as her son continues working.

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