Anderson, SC is the home of our sixth network in the Palmetto State. Anderson County has only one program for homeless families, and their five school districts average 150 homeless students each.

A year ago February, a member of Anderson’s Chamber of Commerce leadership team contacted Family Promise about starting an Affiliate as their annual project. Their youthful energy and enthusiasm paid off—the community meeting at First Baptist Church drew more than 100 attendees, a Family Promise record!

With focused help from their neighbor, Tony McDade, Anderson opened quicker than most. Mark Wise, an ordained Baptist minister with a housing background, is their Director. Several of the original leadership team are still involved as Board members, far past the original project’s end last July. They have thirteen hosts, a day center donated to the program and have already secured a VISTA volunteer.

Anderson’s first family is a single mother with three boys between nine and ten years old. She lost her job and they were evicted after being unable to pay their rent. At the time of the eviction, she had already connected with local employment services and is on track to secure employment at a local day-care center.

Congratulations to the “Electric City” and welcome to the Family.