Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina announces release of a Research Brief about Latino immigrant families in South Carolina
March 14, 2013
COLUMBIA, SC – March 14, 2013 – The Sisters of Charity Foundation is announcing the release of a Research Brief about Latino immigrant families in South Carolina. Statistics show that the Latino population in the state continues to grow significantly. The population grew from 95,076 in the 2000 census to 235,682 in the 2010 census which represents a 148% increase. The research brief, authored by Foundation Senior Research Director Dr. Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, addresses a broad range of issues and challenges facing the Latino population including health, education, economic hardship, family structure and legal matters. The growth in Latino families has a significant effect on both rural and urban South Carolina said Tom Keith, Foundation President. This brief takes an in depth look at the obstacles individuals and families face every day.
The largest growth areas in the Latino population include several coastal counties such as Horry, Berkeley, Beaufort and Charleston. Richland and Lexington Counties in the Midlands have shown to be large growth areas as well as Greenville and Spartanburg Counties in the Upstate.
This growth has had an impact on South Carolina’s workforce. Primary industries that employ Latinos include construction, agriculture, food processing, food service, landscaping and the hospitality industry. The Latino population has an estimated purchasing power of $4.5 billion based on disposable income available to spend after taxes.
We feel that sharing this kind of information is an essential role for the Foundation to play said Dee Dee Chewning, Foundation Board Chair. We have an obligation to share what we have learned and offer others a chance to gain knowledge and awareness of the plight of Latinos in South Carolina.
The Sisters of Charity Foundation was founded in 1996 and has been a key player in providing funding, capacity building and advocacy related to poverty issues. The Foundation has provided funding to more than 1500 organizations since its inception, totaling more than $45 million. It conducts research to strengthen the effectiveness of its work and to facilitate learning and understanding. The Foundation is a Ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. It is a statewide funder having awarded grants in all 46 counties of South Carolina.
About the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.
