In 1972, groups of concerned citizens in the Columbia area met to discuss ways to assist battered women. In 1978, the Columbia Young Women’s Christian Association’s (YWCA) Board of Directors voted to support efforts to organize a formal program of services for abused women and their children in the Columbia vicinity.

Two years later, the Junior League of Columbia signed a contract with the YWCA to co-sponsor the project. These organizations established a steering committee with representatives from other related agencies and services in the community. Early efforts focused on increasing public awareness about the issue of partner abuse, obtaining information about the extent of the problem, and starting support groups for battered women.

In July 1981, Sistercare, Inc. was established as an independent agency with funding from the Junior League of Columbia, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the United Way of the Midlands, and contributions from local churches, civic organizations, and individuals. Staff was hired, and on October 19, 1981, Sistercare, Inc. opened an emergency shelter in Richland County in a house rented from the Columbia Housing Authority. In 1982, Sistercare became a United Way partner agency.

In 1982, a City of Columbia grant allowed the purchase of a permanent 27-bed shelter.  In 1994, Sistercare opened a critically-needed 25-bed second shelter in Lexington County to assist hundreds of domestic violence victims who, due to lack of space, were turned away from its existing shelter in Richland County. In 2004, Sistercare opened a third emergency shelter for battered women and their children. The third shelter can house up to 15 persons and is designed to accommodate battered women who have more than two children, as well as domestic violence survivors who may require an extended stay in shelter.

Sistercare, Inc. operates with financial support from the United Way of the Midlands, Kershaw County United Way, civic organizations, churches, individuals, local businesses, corporations, and an annual board-sponsored fund-raiser, as well as federal, state, local, and foundation grants. Community donations of labor and food assist Sistercare in providing services to battered women and their children.

Sistercare, Inc. is the only organization in South Carolina’s Midlands that provides shelter, services, and advocacy specifically to battered women and their children. Services include a 24-hour crisis line, children’s counseling, community counseling services, individual counseling, shelter services, follow up, court advocacy, and community education and training.

In 1998, Sistercare opened satellite offices and placed advocates in Fairfield and Newberry counties to give domestic violence victims greater access to critically needed services. A satellite office was opened in Kershaw County in the spring of 1999. During 2001, Sistercare established a formal follow up program for battered women leaving the shelters. In 2002, with the assistance of a three year grant, Sistercare established a transitional housing and support services program for disabled domestic violence victims.