Spring Time Inspiration

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.

Carrying On: Penny's Story of Resilience

Penny is 50 years old, and she has been through more than most people could imagine. She was the victim of a vicious attack that left her with PTSD. Then, as if that were not enough, she was recently involved in a serious head-on collision that left her injured and unable to work.

Despite all of this, Penny is not giving up. She is actively seeking a job that accommodates her disability. She is fighting to get her life back. In the meantime, she had fallen behind on her electric bill, and we were able to provide enough assistance to keep her electricity on.

Some people have every reason to quit, and they don't. Penny is one of those people. We were honored to help carry a small part of her load while she keeps moving forward.

A Bright Spot: Laura's Quick Turnaround

Not every story is long and complicated. Sometimes people need a small bridge to get from one side to the other, and that is exactly what Laura needed.

Laura (with cap) is a hard-working 41-year-old mother of two. She had a good job but was temporarily laid off due to a seasonal slowdown. The good news is that she has already been rehired and is back at work. She just needed a little help to keep her electricity on until that first paycheck comes in. She was a genuine pleasure to work with, and we were glad to provide that help.

Laura's story is a reminder that sometimes the people who need help are the ones who are doing everything right. A little support at the right moment can make all the difference.

A Fresh Start for Tandy and Her Children

Tandy's (with family) story is one of real courage. She is an abused spouse who made the brave decision to escape with her three children and start a new, safer life in Charleston. She had a good job when she arrived and sought shelter at a local facility. But that facility required her to give up her job and spend her free time in meditation and prayer. She could not provide for her family under those conditions, so she made the difficult decision to leave.

That left Tandy and her three children homeless. But she did not stop moving. She got her job back. She found The Navigation Center, which stepped in immediately, put the family up in a local motel, and began working to find them an apartment. An apartment has already been identified and will be available as soon as she receives her first paycheck.

In the meantime, she needed help with the motel bill. We were happy to provide that help alongside The Navigation Center. This is a mother who left everything behind to protect her children. She is working to rebuild and is almost there. Being part of that story is exactly why this ministry exists.

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