OVERVIEW
Those who are experiencing homelessness, the very poor, the marginalized, the despised, and the most vulnerable in our community have needs that cover many areas. Because many are hungry, we serve breakfast six days a week. Due to the high cost of housing, many people lack a safe place to sleep at night, so we work to help them find housing.
Many lack jobs, training, and transportation, so we invite agencies to come to the Mission to meet people where they are and speak to them face-to-face. We find that those who lack material possessions often do not care for themselves, so we invite the medical community to regularly come to HOPE Missions to tend to wounds, make proper diagnoses, and provide referrals. Far too many suffer from mental illness and substance use disorders, so we invite agencies to come alongside our guests to serve with kindness. While only about five percent of those we serve spend time in jail, during these difficult times, we go to jail to hear their stories, preach the Gospel, and above all, love one another.
We rely on the support of numerous churches and agencies that partner with HOPE Missions to assist those who gather here.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Four Main Barriers
Mailing Address. After a few years of operations, we recognized the huge need for a mailing address. We now manage mail for over 130 individuals.
DMV issued South Carolina Identification Cards. We are an SC State-approved agency for providing a no-cost voucher for obtaining an SC ID.
Birth Certificates. Through an agreement with the Department of Public Health, we are able to provide a cover letter and payment for South Carolina birth certificates. If someone is born out of state, we have an arrangement with Alston Wilkes to provide birth certificates from other states.
Duplicate Social Security Cards. Our local Social Security Administration office helps by processing requests for duplicate Social Security cards. Once approved, these cards can be mailed to our location for distribution.
Basic Needs
Breakfast
We provide breakfast six days per week, Monday – Saturday. We’re closed on the last Saturday of each month because a neighborhood church provides a great breakfast. We provide a variety of breakfast items and LOTS of coffee.
Veterans
Veterans have a wealth of resources to which they are entitled. We maintain a great relationship with Veterans Affairs, Upstate Warrior Solutions, Vets Helping Vets, and any other agency serving veterans to serve their immediate needs.
EBT Card Processing
We provide assistance in applying for and responding to questions regarding EBT cards to supplement income for food-related products.
Reading Mail
Reading mail is a significant part of providing a mailing address. Many people struggle to comprehend the complex information from government sources.
Community Resource Guide
We developed a comprehensive Community Resource Guide for Anderson County, both print and online. The printed version is updated 2 to 3 times a year. We distribute 12,500 copies each time. The online version is based on a custom platform that other counties have been able to use as well. Both versions are designed to assist people with access to services they need. We work well with United Way’s 2-1-1 system as well.
Applying for Benefits.
This complex process often begins with a telephone interview or the completion of online forms. We help with both!
SOAR Specialists.
SOAR (https://blog.ssa.gov/soar-programs-and-social-security/) assists those who are disabled to streamline access to their benefits. We have three SOAR specialists at HOPE Missions.
Life Skills Classes
We utilize a classroom to provide numerous classes throughout the week. We have two local banks (Regions and Truist) that provide monthly classes on budgeting, financial literacy classes, and other bank-related topics for our guests. We also have a weekly Bible study and a recurring Anger Management Course taught by a local Alston Wilkes Society coordinator.
Storage Bins
People experiencing homelessness often lack a safe place to store their belongings, including important documents, keepsakes, and clothing. We have 60 spaces available for 27-gallon storage bins to assist our guests. We celebrate the day we get to empty a bin because it means they have found a place to live.
Referrals to Rehab
We work with several agencies for referring guests to rehab.
Alston Wilkes Society
Alston Wilkes Society’s Coordinator is on-site at least once a week. Among their many services, they are able to provide special clothing for work (especially boots) and other items as needed.
Additional Meals
Often, church groups will provide additional meals on holidays, when other agencies are closed. In addition, lunch is provided at the Mission on the second and third Saturdays by local church groups.
Clothing
We give away free clothing on Mondays. We also connect people to other clothing providers that operate throughout the week.
Hygiene products
We offer a wide range of hygiene products tailored to meet the needs of our guests. Using a hygiene slip, each guest indicates what they need, and a volunteer then selects the items from our hygiene station. This ensures people get what they need instead of products they don’t require.
Bus Tickets
Local: With support from a local church, we distribute 75 bus tickets each week and case managers are able to supplement additional transportation needs.
Travel Assistance: We provide Greyhound bus tickets to those who end up stranded in Anderson or need transportation to a distant relative, a recovery program, or for some other reason. We verify the information and provide the tickets as well as transportation to the distant bus stop in Anderson.
EMPLOYMENT
Employment opportunities that match abilities with skills is essential for rebuilding lives. Several agencies visit HOPE Missions regularly to provide on-site support for job placement.
Goodwill Mission Mobile
This vehicle is equipped with staff and systems to help people apply for jobs. They also teach and help with building resumes and filling out applications.
SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW)
DEW employees visit the Mission to talk to guests about job opportunities. We’re also able to share information about job fairs at local libraries.
SC Vocational Rehabilitation
Department operates to prepare and assist eligible SC individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain competitive employment. By coming to HOPE Missions they are often able to meet folks who are unaware of their services.
HOPE Property Management (March 2026)
Thanks to a generous donation from a local manufacturer of electric power yard maintenance equipment (TTI), we are launching a social enterprise that will not only create meaningful jobs but also serve as a discipleship program for many.
Physical/Medical Support
People experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty rarely receive proper treatment for their physical health. Nutrition is often below standards, and visits to the doctor are infrequent at best. They frequently use the emergency department as their main access to healthcare. We partner with several agencies to bring health services directly to the Mission.
Prescriptions
We fill prescriptions for our guests. Many have more than one medication prescribed by a doctor. Left to choose on their own, they would likely pick the one that costs less—regardless of the medication! We collaborate with the Anderson Free Clinic, several pharmacies, New Horizons Family Medicine Services, and Foothills Community Health Care to get medication at little or no cost. Since we serve as a mailing address, guests can receive free medication for chronic health issues through the Welvista program.
Over-the-Counter Meds
We offer a variety of over-the-counter meds for our guests such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, and a wide array of simple pain relief medications.
Care Coordination, Diabetic Care, Foot Washing Clinic, are also provided at HOPE Missions.
HOPE Restart
HOPE Restart provides post-incarceration wrap-around services, support for those currently in jail, and comprehensive housing and apprenticeship opportunities for individuals re-entering society. This Christ-centered program aims to help participants overcome issues like addiction, broken relationships, medical struggles, and other personal challenges. Our goal is to lead participants toward transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, Biblical counseling, life skills training, and a strong connection to the local church.
Warming Center
HOPE Missions is blessed to serve as an emergency warming center for anyone needing a safe haven when cold temperatures threaten their safety or during extreme weather. During the winter (November 1st through March 31st), the Cold Weather Advisory Team reviews local hourly weather forecasts at least 48 hours in advance and decides when to open the center. Conditions include temperatures 38 degrees or below for at least four consecutive hours, extreme windchill, snow or icy conditions, etc. Opening times vary based on the forecasted conditions.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Day shelter volunteer servants are needed from 6:00-10:00 each day to serve coffee and breakfast, welcome guests, help with cleaning, and many other tasks.
Warming Center volunteer servants are needed to welcome guests, supervise dorms, provide coffee, clean, organize, manage bedding, and so many other tasks. These times vary with the weather conditions.
Office Support volunteer servants are needed anytime from 8:00 – 4:00 to perform various organizational tasks, answer phones, process donations, and other tasks that just help to make HOPE Missions serve our guests better.
Special Projects volunteer servants are needed for large and small projects. We have projects as large as painting a room and some as small as putting Q-tips in bags. All of these projects are equally important to help HOPE Missions run smoothly. Days and times can be flexible to work with busy schedules.