1999 Best Practices
Success Stories

Program Name:			Upstate Homeless Coalition
Program Focus:			Homelessness
Geographic Area:			Southeast/ Caribbean
State:			South Carolina
City:			Columbia

Executive Summary
For many Americans homelessness is not an issue of great importance. Let’s face it; we never think that we could become homeless. The millions of homeless Americans that fill our nation’s streets are seen, but not seen. In South Carolina one collaborative effort is doing more than just seeing the homeless, they are extending a helping hand.

The Upstate Homeless Coalition provides a wealth of services to residents that are either homeless or living in a transitional housing unit. This program has a large audience reach that sometimes seems unbelievable, given its success rate. The Coalition serves the needs of residents in eight counties within the state of South Carolina. Everyday homeless men, women and children rely on the assistance from the Coalition to help ease the burdens of moving from a shelter in to a more permanent living environment. Some of the services provided to the participants include job training; GED preparation and testing; and literacy classes. The Coalition aims to give participants tools to become self-sufficient and not permanently dependent on the program.

The project has more than just its programmatic scope and reach to be proud of. With roughly a year of service under its belt, the program has assisted two families with purchasing a home; empowered at least 75 percent of the participants to get jobs that allow for an increase in income; and 10 to 15 percent of the participants are in an educational program.

The hard work and determination that leads to such great success can be attributed to a collective effort. Partners not only bring monetary contributions to the table, but they also offer resources, supplies and time. This successful collaboration has found just the right mix of human service organizations and private businesses to provide top-notch assistance to an underserved population.

Homelessness is a definitely a problem for America, but only a few can say that they are doing something. The achievements of the Upstate Homeless Coalition are not just demonstrated in a media blitz, but in the lives of the people they help everyday. Unlike some many others, the Coalition is not just overlooking the homeless; it is helping them overcome their current situation and regain control of their lives.

Partners: Coalition Members

Financing: Various Funding Sources

Point of Contact:

Michael Chesser, Phone: (864) 241-0462 Email: mdc@uhcsc.com