Over 350 S.C. Cooperative Extension professionals donate supplies to Rapid Shelter Columbia as part of the statewide conference

More than 350 Cooperative Extension professionals from across South Carolina came together for a statewide service project to support Rapid Shelter Columbia during the second biennial South Carolina Joint Cooperative Extension Conference, which is held from February 12-14, 2025, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. The event, which brings together Cooperative Extension professionals from the state’s two land-grant universities – SC State University and Clemson University – features a series of sessions, presentations and networking opportunities, but also served as a platform for local outreach, with a donation of essential supplies to Rapid Shelter Columbia aimed at improving the lives of homeless individuals in the city.

The service project, which embodies the conference’s theme, Innovating Together: Strengthening Public Service Through Collaboration, aims to directly address the challenges facing South Carolinians —particularly those who are unhoused—by pooling resources and knowledge from across the state. The donations, including, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and home goods items, will assist Rapid Shelter Columbia in providing immediate relief and support to residents within the shelter community.

City of Columbia Homeless Services Director Kameisha Heppard extends her gratitude to the S.C. Cooperative Extension for the donations that will help shape the lives of residents and future residents of Rapid Shelter Columbia.

Rapid Shelter Columbia, a vital community resource, offers emergency shelter, case management and support services aimed at helping individuals transition out of homelessness and into stable housing. Rapid Shelter is the first transitional housing project of its kind in the southeast in which the city provides 50 pallet sleeping cabins to persons who require transitional housing.

Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard, and staff at Rapid Shelter Columbia attended the donation announcement and were extremely appreciative of the items donated ranging from toiletries, linens, books, household items, water bottles and much more.

On behalf of Rapid Shelter Columbia, Mayor Rickenmann expressed profound gratitude for the support. “The donations we will receive during this conference are incredibly important,” said Rickenmann. “They will provide our residents with the necessary items they need to stay safe and comfortable as they work towards securing stable housing. We’re thankful to everyone involved in this collaborative effort, and we are encouraged by the collective compassion shown by the state’s Cooperative Extension professionals.”

This collaborative service project exemplifies the core values of the Cooperative Extension system and highlights the positive impact of collective action to address the needs of vulnerable communities in South Carolina.

“We hope these donations will provide immediate relief to those who need it most,” said Dr. Tom Dobbins, associate dean for Outreach & Engagement of Clemson University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and professor and director of the university’s Cooperative Extension Service.  “This service project is a tangible way we can make a positive impact on the lives of our collective neighbors and ensure that those experiencing homelessness in Columbia have the essentials they need while working to rebuild their lives.”

Mayor Rickenmann, Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard, SC State 1890 Extension Administrator Dr. Edoe Agbodjan, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Associate Director Deon Legette and City of Columbia Homeless Services staff.

The conference itself underscores the importance of collaboration between institutions to address South Carolina’s most pressing issues. By uniting professionals from across the state, including representatives from both the SC State and Clemson, the event aims to foster cross-disciplinary solutions to complex challenges.

“The joint efforts of these two prestigious universities demonstrate the tremendous power of collaboration,” said Dr. Edoe Agbodjan, associate Extension administrator for SC State 1890 Extension. “By working together, we can address the unique needs of South Carolina’s communities in innovative ways, and create real, sustainable solutions for the future.”

About SC State University 1890 Research & Extension

SC State 1890 Extension is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for South Carolinians through education, innovation and community partnerships. As part of SC State’s land-grant mission, the 1890 Program leverages research and integrates teaching and public service to support this goal. The program operates directly in 32 counties, focusing on five key areas: 4-H youth development, community & economic development, education innovation & support, family nutrition & health and sustainable agriculture natural resources & environment.

About Clemson University Extension

Clemson Extension helps improve the quality of life of all South Carolinians by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in youth development; agribusiness; agriculture; food, nutrition and health; and natural resources.

With offices in all 46 counties of the state, Extension works to help support South Carolina’s $51.8 billion agriculture and forestry industries; strengthen families and communities; improve stewardship of natural resources and the environment; strengthen connections between people and their food; and expose South Carolina youth to opportunities in agriculture, science, technology, engineering and math.