$5 million gift to fund capital needs of organizations statewide
Silent Tears on Wednesday announced a third round of grants totaling more than $1.1 million to organizations statewide that assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, with a goal of an additional $1 million to be granted by year-end.
Six years ago, Silent Tears formed to systematically address the complex issues associated with child sexual abuse – considering best practices, the fragmented support system for victims, the culture and politics of South Carolina, and a lack of attention on the issue.
In April, Silent Tears announced a $5 million gift from the Castellani family of Greer. The commitment is funding a second phase of support for organizations that promote an end to child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence across South Carolina. This funding includes the 17 Children’s Advocacy Centers of S.C., 15 rape crisis centers, 12 domestic violence centers and 2 facilities for children impacted by maltreatment. With this third round of grants, more than $2.4 million has been gifted to-date.
“While these grants serve as significant aid to our communities’ centers, they are still small in comparison to the need, especially in the underserved and rural parts of our state,” Silent Tears director of philanthropy Kelly Nichols said. “These gifts are intended to ignite awareness and accountability of the issues in our communities, and there should be no stereotype of who should help due to an underlying stigma.”
The following organizations were included in the third round of grants and have already received funding that will address a variety of capital needs:
Beyond Abuse $63,000
CASA Family Systems in Orangeburg $80,000
Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union $11,000
Children’s Recovery Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties $50,000
Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons $50,000
Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties $68,750
Family Resource Center $6,250
Hopeful Horizons in Beaufort $50,000
Julie Valentine Center in Greenville $100,000
Meg’s House in Greenwood $31,000
My Sister’s House in North Charleston $30,000
Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault $35,000
Pee Dee Coalition – Sumter satellite office (CAC) $150,000
Pee Dee Coalition – Williamsburg County satellite crisis center $150,000
Rape Crisis Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties $68,750
Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition $45,000
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands $30,000
Sistercare in Columbia $16,000
South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers $25,000
YWCA of Upper Lowlands $68,750
For those interested in learning more, SilentTearsSC.org features information about grant recipients and the organization’s partnership with ELYSIAN magazine. That partnership will allow best practices established in South Carolina to reach a nationwide audience. The success stories and gains made in this state will reach decision-makers across the country through the ELYSIAN platform, affecting even greater change.
For more information, contact Kelly Nichols, director of philanthropy, Silent Tears SC, 864-596-7501 or kelly@readelsyian.com.
