On June 4, community leaders, partners, supporters, volunteers, and neighbors gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Self Help’s new Hardeeville Education & Resource Center, marking an important investment in education, workforce development, and community support in Jasper County.
While the event officially opened the doors to a new facility, it also celebrated something much bigger: expanded access to opportunity.
“This center represents far more than a building,” said Self Help CEO Courtney Hampson. “It represents access to opportunity, trusted relationships, and a deeper commitment to walking alongside our neighbors as they pursue their goals and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
As Hardeeville and the surrounding area continue to grow, educational opportunities and individualized support services play an increasingly important role in helping communities thrive. The Hardeeville Education & Resource Center was created to meet that need by bringing resources closer to home, removing barriers to opportunity.
The center will serve as a hub for GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, workforce development programming, digital literacy instruction, financial education workshops, personalized resource navigation, and collaboration with community partners such as Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, Volunteers in Medicine and more.
During the ceremony, Mayor Harry Williams praised Self Help’s commitment to expanding its impact in Jasper County.
“They saw a need and they came to Jasper County,” Williams said. “On behalf of all the people of Jasper County that you’re about to help, we can’t thank you enough.”
The momentum is already evident.
“On June 15th, we’ll open our doors for our summer semester. As of today, we have three times as many students for our summer classes as we did this time last year,” Hampson shared. “That is progress…and we are grateful.”
In 2025 alone, Self Help served 2,331 households, reached more than 6,000 neighbors, and benefited from 32,376 volunteer hours. Additionally, 70% of neighbors engaged in more than one program or service, reflecting the value of layered and comprehensive support.
The Hardeeville Education & Resource Center builds upon that foundation and strengthens Self Help’s ability to serve a growing community for years to come.
