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.
Lowcountry 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.
From Homelessness to Hope: Carson’s Journey to Stability with Bluffton Self Help
When Carson first walked through the doors of Bluffton Self Help, he was carrying more than just the weight of daily challenges—he was facing profound uncertainty about his future. A series of unexpected setbacks had unraveled his sense of stability, leaving him...
Patricia’s Story of Resilience
Patricia never imagined she would be starting over. She and her husband, Paul—her best friend of more than 25 years—had built a life rooted in love and simple joys. They shared home-cooked meals around the kitchen table, leisurely strolls in their neighborhood, and...
Marcus’s Journey Toward a Brighter Future
Marcus first learned about Bluffton Self Help through a friend who saw his potential long before he saw it in himself. He had always dreamed of going to college, but without the finances or the proper guidance to navigate the enrollment process, the path forward felt...
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.
