A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the same can be said for our communities. Greer Relief thanks ScanSource and the Mary Black Foundation for their generous donations to the RENEW (Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way) program, an education and life skills program critical to improving the life, health, and wellness of our neighbors in need. Each of these organizations understands that helping and empowering neighbors in need to achieve financial goals, to live healthier lifestyles, and to plan for a brighter future can only positively affect community development. ScanSource’s gift of $15,000 and the Mary Black Foundation’s gift of $10,000 have enabled Greer Relief to expand RENEW and make it available to more individuals and families in the community.
The crisis that many neighbors face of going hungry, losing their housing, having their power disconnected, or needing a prescription filled prevents them from focusing on the bigger picture of life: getting or retaining a job, furthering their education, or nurturing their children. Their focus is not on living, but surviving. They have more immediate needs that affect their ability to make the next step. Greer Relief helps these neighbors first address the crisis and then connects them to the new RENEW program.
These neighbors in need are referred to classes that include budgeting, job skills, and health and wellness. In some cases, they are given action items to complete before additional assistance can be provided. RENEW engages neighbors in need by involving them in the process of determining a path for success. RENEW relies on volunteers. Community volunteers teach classes they have an expertise in. In addition to adding more classes, the Scan Source and Mary Black Foundation gifts will enable Greer Relief to provide incentives for attending classes and completing action items. Some examples include crock pots for those completing health and wellness classes, newspaper subscription for those completing job skills and financial stability, and gift certificates to local partner thrift stores for interview and job appropriate clothing.
Caroline Robertson, Executive Director at Greer Relief, says, “We can’t thank ScanSource and the Mary Black Foundation enough for believing in our mission and putting such generosity behind their support. These gifts will make a real difference in the lives of so many local people in need.”
Pictured L-R: Katherine Menzer, Scansource Foundation, Caroline Robertson, Greer Relief ED, Liz York, ScanSource & Greer Relief Board Member