Team Impact

Team members: Evan Bromley, Phil Ford, Veronica Hemmingway, Blaik Keppler, Malik Lightbourne, Mitch Mitchell, Beth Patrick, Dale Threatt-Taylor

There is a quote that says “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Beaufort and Jasper counties in the Lowcountry have more people who are economically at risk than financially secure. Team Impact is partnering with Bluffton Self Help, an organization who empowers and advocates for individuals to improve their lives though education and training, basic needs, and guided access to a network of community resources. While there are many needs that leave individuals vulnerable, this project addresses both present needs, as well as providing long term solutions that can be sustained over time.

In partnership with the University of South Carolina – Beaufort (USCB) students, and its department of Student Development and USCB student organizations, a toy drive was held on campus to meet the increased need of Bluffton Self Help to supply toys for area children. This relationship between USCB and Bluffton Self Help will allow for an annual toy drive to be held on campus, and also provide students with an opportunity to engage in service-learning experiences each year.  Having students participate in hands on volunteerism is a powerful way to engage the next generation of community leaders.

To build the capacity to bring about lasting change for the people and communities, advocacy can be an effective tool.  It can allow for nonprofits, like Bluffton Self Help, to advance their mission and potentially increase funding opportunities.  The Team Impact project will include a training session on how the organization can build its muscle to begin to engage in this work.  This will include a basic understanding of levels, branches and roles of government, information on how to impact decision makers, and developing the necessary relationships to be effective in advocacy.