Working together to strengthen the fabric of our community.
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The Market
Shop once a week for fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, desserts and non-perishables items. A savings of up to $500 per month.
Education Programs
Our Education & Training services equip adults with the reading, writing, math, and speaking skills they need to become more engaged at home, at work, and in our communities.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Available to help prevent homelessness, keep the utilities on, or assist neighbors faced with urgent hardships.
One-on-One Support
We empower, mentor, and advocate for individuals and families to improve their lives and livelihoods, providing one-on-one support to help establish achievable individual goals.
We believe
Every individual has inherent value and the ability to contribute to their family, workplace, and community in meaningful ways.
Our work focuses on empowering Lowcountry neighbors to improve their lives through an individualized, holistic approach, engaging with every aspect of their life. We know when hard work, opportunity, and strong support come together, personal success is possible for all.
Our Community is in Crisis
So many of our Beaufort and Jasper County neighbors are just one mishap away from a financial crisis.
45%
Nearly 45% of households in Beaufort County and approximately 59% in Jasper County are economically at risk earning less than $75,000 a year.
28%
In Beaufort County 28% of people who have not completed high school live below the poverty line. This number drops to 4.2% for people with a bachelor’s degree or more. In Jasper County those numbers are 28.3% and 5.5% respectively.
21,230
21,230 households in Beaufort County, and 3,700 (12.6%) households in Jasper County are food insecure.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Thanks to the generosity, dedication, and intentional collaborative efforts of our staff, partners, volunteers, and community philanthropists, we are turning trials into triumphs for our Lowcountry neighbors. In 2024 we were able to accomplish:
Pounds of Fresh Produce
1,210 households received 562,903 pounds of fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meat, and non-perishable groceries enabling them to save up to $500 per month.
Client Advocate Interactions
2,749 interactions with our Client Advocates, connecting our neighbors to resources, setting goals, and working toward personal success.
Students Attending Classes
Over 600 adult learners last year attended classes including, Adult Basic Education, GED Preparation, Financial Literacy, Digital Literacy, English as a Second Language, and Citizenship Preparation, paving a unique and personal pathway to success.
Lowcounry Partner Referrals
820 referrals have been made to community partners, ensuring each neighbor has a network of support for their path forward.
%
Neighbors Enrolled in Multiple Programs
55% of our neighbors are enrolled in more than one program, highlighting the value of layered services and resources
Stories of Hope
Our neighbors share their expereince as they received support in their time of need, and continued on with Bluffton Self Help education and training programs to get back on their feet and achieve financial stability.
Molly’s Story
Molly, a single mom, sought help from Bluffton Self Help while rebuilding her life after leaving a challenging domestic violence situation. Despite securing a new job with improved pay, bills remained a struggle. Molly received emergency financial assistance to...
Teresa’s Story
In a world where life can change in an instant, Teresa, a dedicated educator for 25 years, found herself facing an unimaginable challenge. A catastrophic spinal fusion left her paralyzed, altering the course of her life forever. As a devoted single mother to two adult...
Carl’s Story
Carl is a full-time hospice care patient with a wife who is also navigating multiple health issues. Regardless, Carl - a proud man, reluctant to ask for help – continues to manage the household as best as he can. After living in the same apartment for eight years,...
The Red Apron Alliance
Our Red Apron Alliance is a network of local businesses and organizations that we lean on to help advocate for and empower our Lowcountry neighbors through communities of opportunities.
Mrs. Ida Martin
In 1987, Bluffton resident Ida Martin recognized a great need that was not being met for working families and senior citizens in the area, and so began Bluffton Self Help, which was chartered a year later in October of 1988.
Ready to Take Action?
There are so many impactful ways to help and support our neighbors and our community. Grab a red apron and start changing lives today.