The Brookland Foundation receives grant from Dominion Energy
January 31, 2018
Funding will help homeless adults and families in S.C.
The Brookland Foundation, a community-based non-profit serving adults and children in the Columbia area, has received a $10,000 Critical Community Needs Grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, the non-profit arm of Dominion Energy.
The grant will fund Project Open Arms, an outreach program addressing the homelessness crisis in South Carolina. Project Open Arms will assist people in Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Calhoun, Colleton and Hampton Counties. A special focus will be placed on Richland County, which has the highest homelessness rate in S.C., and on Colleton and Hampton Counties, since the Lowcountry has seen a 59 percent increase in homelessness in the last year.
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In South Carolina, families represent 24 percent of the total homeless population, while veterans represent 12 percent. Project Open Arms will partner with several entities including the Midlands Area Consortium for Homeless (MACH), the Lowcountry Homeless Coalition, food banks, as well as hotel chains and restaurants. Through the Dominion Energy Grant, the program will provide emergency support to those in need such as food, overnight lodging, housing, transportation and medical care.
The Brookland Foundation estimates that 185 homeless adults and 40 children will be assisted by the Open Arms program.
“Homelessness is a growing problem in many parts of South Carolina, especially the Columbia area. Sometimes these men, women and even entire families just need help to get through the day,” said The Brookland Foundation Development Director Juanita Farmer. “Caring for their basic needs is truly some of our most important work. We are grateful to Dominion Energy and thrilled to receive this grant, which will enable us to help even more people.”
“We recognize that many people in our communities struggle to afford the basics needed to lead secure, healthy and productive lives,” said Kristen Beckham, external affairs representative for Dominion Energy. “Dominion Energy’s grant to The Brookland Foundation will help those most vulnerable with access to the critical needs of food, shelter and healthcare.”
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About The Brookland Foundation
The Brookland Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization established in 1994 to extend outreach efforts to the Greater Columbia community. Recognizing a spiritual mandate to improve the community, the members of the Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia authorized an initial $100,000 endowment to establish the Foundation. The mission of the Brookland Foundation is to improve the lives of people by developing and promoting efforts to enhance their spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and economic well-being. Visit the organization’s website at www.BrooklandFoundation.org.
About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion Energy. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education and encourage community vitality. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.DominionEnergy.com.
