Family Services Inc

TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA AREA TO HELP THEM BECOME OR REMAIN FUNCTIONALLY INDEPENDENT.

THE HOMEOWNERSHIP RESOURCE CENTER (HRC) PROVIDES FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION AND COACHING TO PRIMARILY LOW-TO-MODERATE-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS. THE HRC HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS BEING ONE OF THE TOP AGENCIES IN THE COUNTRY PROVIDING DEFAULT COUNSELING AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY, THE HRC PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE LONG TERM BUDGET COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR POTENTIAL FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS. LICENSED COUNSELORS HELP INDIVIDUALS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CREDIT REPORT, LIVE WITHIN THEIR BUDGET, AND EVENTUALLY ATTEND A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP TO HELP THEM PREPARE TO PURCHASE A HOME THAT THEY CAN AFFORD. WITH THE SKILLS LEARNED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HOMEBUYER WORKSHOPS, THE HOMEBUYER WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A MORTGAGE IS, HOW TO NEGOTIATE CLOSING COSTS, DOWN PAYMENTS, INSURANCE, FUTURE MAINTENANCE, AND THE MYRIAD OF OTHER OBSTACLES FACED BY FIRST TIME OR UNEDUCATED HOMEBUYERS. IN 2023, 342 INDIVIDUALS WERE EDUCATED THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP CLASSES AND COACHING, AND 164 PURCHASED A HOME. THE CURRENT OWNED PROPERTIES ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO BUILD LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME HOUSING FOR THE CHARLESTON TRI-COUNTY AREA.

THE ORGANIZATION'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES COUNSELING SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP ERADICATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILD STRONG FAMILIES AND PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION HELPED MORE THAN 235 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 1,454 SESSIONS OF COUNSELING, AND MORE THAN 270 PERPETRATORS OFDOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 1,957 COUNSELING SESSIONS.

HOUSING STABILITY AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES (FMS) PROTECTS VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS FROM EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND LOSS OF MONEY THROUGH FAMILIAL EXPLOITATION. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY, MINORITIES, AND INCAPACITATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE CONSERVATOR PROGRAM OR THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM. THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM PROVIDES BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 1,500 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF HANDLING THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. OUR LEASE ON LIFE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROVIDED ONGOING LEASE SUBSIDIES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW INCOME, AT RISK VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CONSERVATOR PROGRAM SERVED OVER 485 CLIENTS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE PROBATE COURT OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS WHEN THERE IS NO FAMILY MEMBER OR BONDED ENTITY TO MANAGE THE DISABLED INDIVIDUAL'S FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. BOTH OF THE PROGRAMS MANAGE THE CLIENT'S LIMITED FUNDS, PAY THEIR BILLS, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE AS COMFORTABLY AND INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE.IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED 54 HOUSEHOLDS WITH SHORT-TERM, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF RENT, UTILITY, MORTGAGE, AND TAX PAYMENTS.