From Statistics to Solutions
70%, 60%, 20%, 17%, 3%. Those percentages are meaningless when taken out of context, just numbers on a piece of paper. In the right context, they have the power to help us set a course to fundamentally change our community. Your contribution—no matter how small—can make a significant difference. The question is, will you be counted as one who answers the call to make a difference?
At Collins Home Family Ministries, we stand in the gap for children, a calling we do not take lightly. The latest McKinney Vento data is alarming: 13,770 South Carolina children (under 18) experienced homelessness during the school year. Of these 5,396 reside in the four counties closest to us. And, more than half of the children we serve at Collins Home Family Ministries are currently experiencing homelessness. The situation is urgent, and we need your help.
In addition to children (birth -18), we serve at-risk youth (18-25) who are homeless and spent time in foster care or group homes. These young adults face significant challenges as they head out into the world:
20% of youth who grow up in foster care become immediately homeless at 18
60% turn to the sex trafficking industry as a means of sustaining themselves
70% of young women who have been in foster care become pregnant by the age of 21
Less than 3% of children raised in foster care graduate from a four-year or technical college
In 2022, 17% of Oconee County's population lived below the poverty line, 3% higher than our state average and 5% higher than the national average. These numbers are the highest among females and males ages 18-24. Our community's young adults and at-risk youth are suffering, and we are working hard to turn the tide.
The US Census Bureau reported that 28.8% of South Carolinians volunteer their time to serve others. Here at Collins, we are often asked by community members how they can get involved. Now more than ever, there are SO many ways to give back and make a difference!
Our current volunteer needs are diverse, catering to a wide range of skills and interests. Whether you're a retail enthusiast, an administrative whiz, a culinary artist, a mentor, a life coach, or an academic, we have a role for you. If you would like to volunteer and learn more about connecting with us, visit us online at https://www.collinsfs.org/connect.
By Kelly Ross, Collins Family Ministries CEO