At meetings with United Way, I learned about A.L.I.C.E., which refers to households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Put another way, these are families with conscientious, hard-working parents earning an income that makes it difficult to pay the costs of living. The statistics are staggering. 26% of Jasper County are ALICE households and another 20% are households in poverty, for a total of 46% struggling with meeting the basic needs of life. Beaufort County has 29% ALICE and 10% poverty for combined total of 39%.
Thanks to many generous residents and businesses in Beaufort and Jasper County, an extensive network of non-profit organizations are helping those in need, and Hardeeville is a partner with each of them. There are too many to list here, but some notable examples, in addition to United Way, are Bluffton Self Help, Lowcountry Legal volunteers, Volunteers in Medicine, Habitat for Humanity, Second Helpings, Mercy Mission, and Agape. All help with basic needs, such as food, legal assistance, health care, housing and clothing. Others such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Family Promise, Kiwanis, YMCA, the Technical College Foundation, and First Tee provide family services, most especially working directly with the children. There are organizations that provide funding for these groups, such as Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust, and Hardeeville’s Community Transformation Foundation.
I could devote an entire article to each of those. Not possible, so allow me to introduce Hardeeville’s Foundation (HCTF). Founded in 2020, the primary goal is to improve the lives of all citizens of Hardeeville by funding scholarships, grants, education services, and workforce training. Governed by a Board of seven directors led by City Manager Josh Gruber, an objective and competitive application process has replaced political gift giving. Over $900,000 has been awarded since its establishment. The Foundation has received funds from the city budget, federal ARPA funds, development fees, and other non-profit foundations. Recipients of grants have included Royal Live Oaks Academy, Technical College of the Low Country, Jasper County Council on Aging, the YMCA, Osprey Village, Agape, JARM, and Raskel’s Rescue…