HISTORY OF SISTERCARE, INC.

 In 1972, groups of concerned citizens in the Columbia area met to discuss ways to assist battered women. In May 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 domestic violence, 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 organization 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 June 1982, Sistercare officially became a United Way member agency.

  In April 1982, a City of Columbia grant allowed the purchase of a permanent 24-bed shelter. In June 1994, Sistercare opened a critically-needed 20-bed second shelter in Lexington County to assist hundreds of domestic violence victims who, due to lack of space, were being turned away from its existing shelter in Richland County. In the spring of 2004, Sistercare opened a third emergency shelter for battered women and their children. The third shelter can house a maximum of 16 persons and is designed to accommodate domestic violence survivors who may require an extended stay in shelter.

  In 1998, Sistercare opened satellite offices and placed counseling staff 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 1999. During 2001, Sistercare established a formal follow-up program for battered women leaving the shelters. In mid-2002, with the assistance of a three-year grant, Sistercare established a transitional housing and support services program for disabled domestic violence victims.     11/09