Welcome Back Street Survivors!

We are continuing our series on organizations that help families be more secure in unique ways. I’d appreciate your feedback on this, if you or a family member have encountered a business or agency that has really helped your family during their time of need. There are so many organizations that can provide general or specific help that we are totally unaware of. Let’s get the word out, to help our neighbor and our community.

Two of the local programs I was unaware of, are offered through the Department of Social Services (DSS), SC Thrive and SC 211. SC Thrive helps to connect people with the crucial benefits they may need, including healthcare resources, food security, financial wellness and other quality of life resources. Several options are available to apply for help such as calling them direct at 800-726-8774, both English and Spanish operators available, applying online thru the Thrive Hub at URL: https://secure.goodgrid.com, or if you want to apply in person, the only location available is at the Columbia office at 120 Research Drive, from 8:30 – 5 pm. You can also email them at: contact@scthrive.org. They do have a monthly newsletter you can sign up for on their website.

Some of the programs available through SC Thrive include: Healthy Connections Medicaid, Long-Term Care Benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, help with State and Federal taxes, Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled, Medically Indigent Assistance, and replacement of birth certificates and social security cards. 

SC 211 is an incredibly broad program connected to the United Way, and can be reached on their website, www.SC211.org or by calling 211 or texting ‘HELP’ to 211211. The website lists 22 different categories of help they provide, here are just a few: Utilities, Food, Disaster, Child Care & Education, Benefits, Transportation, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment, Animal Welfare, Volunteer & Donate, Housing and Shelters,  Health and Hygiene, Employment & Education, Legal Aid, Veteran Services, Senior & Disability Services, Trafficking, Abuse & Violence Services, Crisis Hotlines and others. 

Under each of the above categories, multiple sub-programs exist for specific help. For example, under the Child Care & Education category, you’ll find help with Head Start, Developmental Screenings, School Supplies, Special Education, Parenting Education, Adoption & Foster Care and other Youth Programs.

The Veteran Services categories can help veterans and their families with Benefits, Health Care and Reintegration into civilian life and workforces.

Another category close to my heart that we’ve focused on in previous articles, is Trafficking, Abuse & Violence Services. The sub-categories include Crisis Shelters, Crisis Hotlines,  Violence Prevention, Sexual & Physical Abuse Counseling & Resources, Crime & Victim Services and even help with Missing Persons. 

Our seniors can get a lot of assistance through Senior Centers, Senior Housing, Social Security and Medicare, Respite Care & Support Groups, Home Delivered Meals, Hospice Care, Disability Services, Senior Ride Programs, Home Accessibility and Ramp Construction, Long Term Care and Memory Screenings including Dementia Services.

If you need assistance with your Utilities such as Electricity, Gas, Phone, Water & Sewer, Internet or help with Weatherization, SC 211 can help.

The Animal Welfare section includes Animal Control, Pet Adoption and Pet Care. 

It’s quite amazing that all of these services are available and many people, including myself were totally unaware of it. 

Please look into this information if you can use it, or pass on to a friend or loved one that needs any of these services. 

God Bless America! 

Drop us a comment or question at email: StreeTactics@gmail.com●