WHO WE ARE
Today, nearly 13 million poor people live in urban communities. The rate of poverty is becoming an all too common scenario. But there's hope because God cares.
God Cares Charities is a non-profit organization focused on expressing the love of God through action and community involvement. It’s comprised of several initiatives designed to break the chains of poverty and renew the mind through economic sustainability. Our God Cares Thrift Stores are the driving force behind our urban initiatives. Currently with three locations, the God Cares Thrift Stores have been strategically placed throughout different quadrants of Columbia with a location on Garners Ferry Road, a second location on Millwood Avenue, and in August 2014 a third location was opened on Saint Andrews Road. Job training as well as assistance to those needing to complete court ordered community service hours are available at the thrift stores. All proceeds from the thrift stores go directly back into the communities in which they serve.
Initiatives
We currently offer several initiative such as
God Cares Charities is a demonstration of the love of Christ through action for all who are in need through relationship and service.
God Cares Charities is a non-profit organization focused on expressing the love of God through action and community involvement. It’s comprised of several initiatives designed to break the chains of poverty and renew the mind through economic sustainability. Our God Cares Thrift Stores are the driving force behind our urban initiatives. Currently with three locations, the God Cares Thrift Stores have been strategically placed throughout different quadrants of Columbia with a location on Garners Ferry Road, a second location on Millwood Avenue, and in August 2014 a third location was opened on Saint Andrews Road. Job training as well as assistance to those needing to complete court ordered community service hours are available at the thrift stores. All proceeds from the thrift stores go directly back into the communities in which they serve.
Initiatives
We currently offer several initiative such as
- Beauty for Ashes - This initiative provides cancer or burn patients and survivors with vouchers for wigs and makeovers
- Job Training Programs - offers resume building, life skill workshops, and teaching workforce skills such as effective forms of communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration.
- CARE Vouchers - Help provide relief from a variety of unforeseen life issues that arise i.e. medical emergency, weather related catastrophic loss or simply and individual family suffering from economic hardship
- Two Mobile Medical Units - used to conduct free health and dental screenings for children and adults in underserved areas because healthcare is a major concern in the communities we serve. Our God Cares Mobile Technology Center brings healthcare and fun to them. The mobile unit is complete with a waiting area outfitted with multiple television and video games inside and out to assist with keeping the children occupied as they wait to be screened.
- Project Joseph - one of the initiatives fueled by God Cares Charities - is a four phase program designed to target youth ages 12 to 17. The initiative focuses on areas such as conflict resolution and mentorship and provides a shadowing phase called Dreams, which partners these children with local business leaders throughout Columbia.
- "Stay-In" - alternative program for at-risk youth that places the youth with a mentor getting them to understand that if they stay in school they will stay out of jail. Once they complete all phases of the program, they are recognized at a special banquet where families are invited to celebrate the successful completion of the program.
- Annual 5K Run/Walk - To help raise awareness and additional revenue for God Cares Charities programs, we host an annual 5k run/walk at Finlay Park. Funds raised during the annual event go toward current community initiatives such as but not limited to: food, furniture and clothing vouchers that can be redeemed by families who are experiencing financial straits. Vouchers can be redeemed at any one of our three thrift store locations.
- Feeding Families - Aimed at providing food for families in need during Thanksgiving. Our goal was to feed 3000 families or more; we have succeeded that goal and are now pursuing feeding programs outside of the country!
- "Coats for Kids" - Launched in December 2014, God Cares Charities adopted six local schools and began "Coats for Kids" outfitting 300 children with new coats.
God Cares Charities is a demonstration of the love of Christ through action for all who are in need through relationship and service.
Our History
What started out as one thrift store has now grown into God Cares Charities, an urban initiative to address the overlooked needs of the poor and less fortunate in the community. This initiative takes a holistic approach to helping the urban community by providing spiritual, educational and physical outlets and resources. Bishop Eric Davis, founder of God Cares Charities, received the vision for this ministry after he “noticed poor urban residents encounter a unique set of challenges that community development systems are not designed to address.” A program was needed to combat this issue and offer effective resources, such as health screenings, safe haven for the displaced, food for the hungry, job training & employment for ex-offenders and life skills classes for all. This holistic approach is what sets us apart from other organizations that have similar missions.
Our charity is not just a charity that speaks good will but our very existence is based on doing good will. With an intimate relationship with the community, knowing the community's needs, and providing effective solutions, we will help fuel the change that is so desperately needs. God Cares Charities is a tremendous undertaking for Columbia, South Carolina, and we set forth to continue to offer services and resources that will help the community thrive.
If you would like to become a sponsor of God Cares Charities or have questions about donations, community service, or becoming a volunteer, please contact us.
Our charity is not just a charity that speaks good will but our very existence is based on doing good will. With an intimate relationship with the community, knowing the community's needs, and providing effective solutions, we will help fuel the change that is so desperately needs. God Cares Charities is a tremendous undertaking for Columbia, South Carolina, and we set forth to continue to offer services and resources that will help the community thrive.
If you would like to become a sponsor of God Cares Charities or have questions about donations, community service, or becoming a volunteer, please contact us.
