Edisto Island, South Carolina

Spring Break Edisto Island Family Mission Work Trip!
An Experience for the Whole Family

Over a decade ago the Senior High youth of FCCW traveled to Edisto Island, South Carolina, a sea island near Charleston, for a mission work trip.  The youth worked through the Rural Mission Institute, funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, to carry out home repairs on the island.  The youth returned full of enthusiasm about the people they met on the island, where the major population of African American residents are descendents from the original Gullah settlers.  Since then, each year at spring break, FCCW has offered a Family Work Camp for youth and adults in the church to travel to Edisto Island and continue our work, which is now carried out under the auspices of the Edisto Island Outreach Center.  Two members of our congregation, Steve and Claudia Austin, helped to found the Outreach Center.

Edisto Island Workcamp takes place every year during the New Trier High School and the Evanston Township High School spring break.

Please consider spending your spring break in 2007 participating in this unique experience through FCCW.  If you have a van or car to share, transportation is needed.  Adults, junior high, and senior high youth are welcome.  Any youth wishing to travel without a parent must be sponsored by another adult on the trip.  For more information, please contact the church. 

Edisto Island

Outreach Center

1770 Highway 174
Edisto Island, South Carolina 29438
(843) 869-3483

Office Hours
Monday, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday, 10:00am - 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am - 12:00 Noon
Friday, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Background
Edisto Island Outreach Center is a new volunteer-based service agency that opened in October 2003.

The motivation for starting EIOC began with a group of committed Island residents concerned about the lack of access to social services for Edisto residents.

Over the past several months' time, this task force through focused discussions and input from residents identified the basic needs and challenges that effect the quality of life for underserved Island residents.

The lack of access to resources for the underserved is especially great on Edisto because of issues of finances, culture, and language.  This led to the planning of an Outreach Center to meet these needs.

Mission Statement
EIOC is a non-profit agency whose goal is to respond to the needs of our residents with practical help and referral services aimed at either meeting basic needs or equipping people with the tools to improve the quality of their lives.

Our Services
Both on-hand and referrals to other agencies address:

• Education
• Employment
• Transportation
• Health care
• Senior citizen needs
• Housing
• Emergency financial aid

Volunteers Provide In-Kind Services
The work is challenging, but doable with support from the community.

In addition to volunteer support and Board participation, EIOC create partnerships and work collaboratively with other agencies in Charleston County and state-wide . . . .

In you are interested in volunteer opportunities or would like us to share our story with your friends, please call us at (843) 869-3483.

Who We Are
Our Board members have extensive experience in developing, volunteering, fundraising, community outreach, and creating partnerships with social service agencies and funding sources . . . .

E. Laird Horlbeck, Executive Director, has more than thirty years experience as a Social Worker for the Rural Missions on Johns Island . . . .

Board Members
Steve Austin, President
Connie Scott, Vice President
Jameely Moore, Secretary
Benjamin Grant, Treasurer
Claudia Austin
Francine Morrison
Lula Grant