In 1997, child psychiatrist and pediatrician Dr. Eve Spratt founded HALOS. At the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Spratt saw firsthand the severe lack of resources for young victims of abuse or neglect in Charleston County and wanted to improve the conditions for these children and their caregivers.
So she organized a meeting of the Department of Social Services case workers, business leaders, religious leaders, and politicians, and the group discussed the gaps in resources for children in the care of Social Services. Caseworkers told local leaders what they needed most, and soon the donations started to flow.
As a direct result of that meeting, HALOS was born. As an independent entity, HALOS works alongside the Department of Social Services to collect donations from the community to improve the lives of children who are often headed down a dark, painful path.
The HALOS program in the Charleston area has been so successful that in 2004, we received a major grant from the Office for Victims of Crime to duplicate the program in three other locations. Through the grant, we have been able to provide technical support and seed funding for programs to support abused and neglected children in Lancaster County, S.C., Dillon County, S.C., and Greene County, Mo.
And in 2006, the Henry and Sylvia Yashik Foundation provided a grant for HALOS to collaborate with the Harmony Project, a nonprofit that advocates sustainable building and real estate development. Working to maximize available resources, the partnership has blossomed into a smashing success with almost $40,000 of critical items delivered to struggling families in Charleston County during the first year of the collaboration.
To date, HALOS has partnered with more than 40 religious communities, civic groups, businesses, and clubs, as well as many individuals. These HALOS partners comprise the critical network of volunteers who donate and spread the word about abused and neglected children and their families.
Our job will never be completed, but with your donations, we will help as many children as possible.
Donate today to help give these children a better tomorrow. For information about how to donate, contact HALOS at 953-3715.
