Programs

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West Columbia's Empowerment Center enables the City to provide a variety of services to assist low to moderate-income families, create new programs to address social problems and serves as a focal point for community activities.

The Empowerment Center coordinates many diverse outreach activities into centrally organized efforts. New programs are being developed because meeting space is now available for participants. We offer opportunities for individual citizens to contribute their talents and skills to enrich the lives of people in need. Many church and civic organizations have linked their charitable efforts with the Center.

Residents, businesses, schools, civic and church groups directly aid citizens in need and by doing so, bring help and renewed hope to people in need.

Sandra Nieves, a Community Liaison person, who is a former community oriented police officer, staffs the Empowerment Center. She works directly with individuals and at times, whole neighborhoods, to develop and implement strategies to strengthen families. She develops projects, services and outreach programs for people coping with problems caused by crime, poverty, unemployment and other risk factors.

Thermal Winter Drive
The winter clothing and coat drive was established because many citizens, especially children and the elderly, were found to be in desperate need of decent winter clothing. Sweaters and coats are collected through schools, women's church circles, community organizations and individuals. Donations are accepted at the Community Empowerment Center, the West Columbia Fire Department and West Columbia City Hall.

Easter Fun Day
The Easter Egg Hunt was established approximately eight years ago. Children from the community are invited to participate. The children hunt for plastic eggs, which are then exchanged for the real thing. The following activities are provided at this annual event.

Hot dogs and Drinks
Games
Raffle (Easter Baskets)
Face Painting
Music

Back to School Bash
Created to help kick off the new school year for needy children, this annual event is co-sponsored by many businesses in West Columbia who contribute food, drinks and cash donations. Volunteers gather at the Community Empowerment center to separate the supplies into age categories and bag them to meet the needs of grammar, middle and high school students. Held in a city park, children receive a bag of school supplies containing paper, pencils, pens, crayons, rulers and other items. These supplies are purchased through the local school district warehouse with funds provided by jury duty pay donations. This unique program is designed to support the City's community-based prevention and intervention programs aimed at the at-risk youth. The program is the first of its kind in South Carolina and allows jurors, by completing a form, to donate their jury pay of $10 directly to the At-Risk Youth Prevention fund. Each $10 donation buys school supplies for two children.

Halloween Bash
Established seven years ago, the annual Halloween Bash is geared to keeping children off the streets and in a safe environment on Halloween night. Up to 400 children have participated in this event. The following activities are provided:

Food
Games
Music
Dance Contest
Costume Contest
Face Painting
Fortune Teller

Thanksgiving Baskets
Established seven years ago, food is collected from community residents, civic groups, churches and businesses. The first year 65 families were provided with food baskets. The program has expanded to serve over 90 families during the holiday season. Home deliveries are provided to shut-ins and the elderly residents.

Community Clean-up
The Adopt-A-Street program was established three years ago. Students from Brookland Cayce High School's Character Club Kids and Teen Companions participate in a project to clean up major streets in West Columbia three times a year.

Adopt-A-Child Star Tree
At the beginning of the holiday season, a Christmas tree decorated with gold stars bearing the name, age and gender of a child is placed at the West Columbia Fire Department. Residents, churches, civic groups, and businesses are encouraged to choose a needy child's star, purchase a gift for the child, and attach the star to the gift. Santa presents the gifts to the children at the annual Christmas party held for this purpose. The party provides food, games, and entertainment to needy children.

Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is perhaps the City's most significant on-going community support effort and is managed by the Community Liaison. To receive assistance from the Food Pantry, a person must complete an application to assess the financial status and level of need. Among the recipients are young children, elderly and disabled persons. The Police Department's COP Officer and the Victim Assistance Officer distribute food to families experiencing crisis situations such as illness, unemployment and domestic violence. Four major food drives are sponsored each year to replenish the Food Pantry. The following groups are actively involved with the food drives.

Brookland Cayce High School Character Club
George I. Pair Elementary School
United States Postal Service
Chamber of Commerce
Setzler & Scott Law Firm
Boy Scouts of America (local troops)
Girl Scouts of America (local troops)
Residents of the West Columbia Metropolitan Area

If you would like to volunteer time, skills, help with any programs, or donate items of food or clothing, please call: