(843) 757-8000 info@blufftonselfhelp.org

Wendys Story

by | Mar 8, 2019

Wendy, a mother with two young children, started coming to the Education and Resource Center in September. Her goals were to strengthen her English and computer skills in order to be able to help her first grade son with his school work. Together, our Education & Resource Center manager and Wendy found a program on the computer that she was able to practice and strengthen both skills at the same time. Wendy became a regular, visiting The Center 2 to 3 times per week, determined to reach her goal. She also became an active member in the English class every Monday held at the Education & Resource Center (ERC).

Wendy was so excited about her progress she began telling others about the ERC and encouraged them to attend the ESL classes and ERC to strengthen their skills as well. A couple of her classmates took her suggestion and visited The Center to use the computers. She was eager to teach her friends what she had learned and was enthusiastic to help. Wendy met one older woman who had no transportation but was interested in attending workshops and classes at the Education & Resource Center. Wendy offered to pick her up when she was close by and bring her to The Center to give her the opportunity to take advantage of our programs. Impressed by Wendy’s motivation to learn and share her knowledge, we asked her to become a Bluffton Self Help volunteer- which she gratefully accepted!

During the past few months, Wendy has not only become an extremely valuable volunteer of the Education & Resource Center, but she is a valuable volunteer to other Bluffton Self Help programs. During the Christmas Holiday Toy Shop she worked tirelessly to help to keep the toys organized. Between all of her stocking and organizing, she translated and made the whole shopping experience that much more enjoyable for all of our shoppers!

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COVID-19 Update to our Supporters

Dear Bluffton Self Help Friends, Because you are an important stakeholder in Bluffton Self Help, we want to keep you informed about how we are responding to the COVID-19. While we continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients, and to prevent community spread of the virus, at the same time we believe we must make every effort to continue to be here for our many neighbors in need. As we’ve reported before, we have modified to distributing pre-bagged groceries as opposed to neighbors shopping for items in our Wellness Food Pantry. We set up the very critical COVID-19 Family Relief Fund to ensure we are able to assist our neighbors with the emergency financial needs. We closed our Confidence Clothing Closet, however will always fill on demand requests for workwear. Our commitment to our community is stronger than ever. We continue to remain available every week day for neighbor’s inquiries, concerns and immediate basic needs. In this time of so many unknowns, the one thing know for certain is that the need for our support continues to rise every day. Many neighbors find themselves suddenly without income and in need of help for the first time. Hardworking neighbors living paycheck to paycheck, now are faced with an already stressful health crisis that puts real strain on their financial situation.
As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together, one thing is clear: Bluffton Self Help is a vital resource for our community. Bluffton Self Help is meeting the challenges of this moment head on. We’re working hard to ensure our community has consistent and safe access to food, basic needs and financial support to emerge through this crisis stronger. Just this week alone we served more than 300 families facing food insecurity and the number of new requests rising more than 20%. Our modified food distribution is able to provide each family with a weeks worth of fresh meat, produce, milk, bread and non-perishables each visit. The requests for financial support grow each day. With rising unemployment, we are ready to meet the needs of our community to prevent homelessness and ensure critical financial needs are being met for our neighbors. Many of you stepped up to support our services, our mission and most importantly our neighbors. We continue to receive donations of food, hygiene products and generous financial donations, but we can’t do it alone. We will continue to need your support to keep our operations open in a crucial time of need.
During this time of great uncertainty and unprecedented change, our commitment to our neighbors, staff and volunteers and the most vulnerable in our society remains stronger than ever. We could not do this without you. With your continued support, I know that we can meet this challenge head-on and emerge stronger, together.
Take care of yourself and each other. Kimberly Hall
Executive Director | Bluffton Self Help