A PLACE for HOPE




The Blackmon Road Community (BRC) is one of the poorest communities in South Carolina. The residents of Blackmon Road are living in third world conditions. They live without indoor plumbing, bathrooms or showers, without trash pick-up, without paved roads, and without street lights – effectively, without the basic material necessities we have come to expect in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. For years it has been on the border between the city of Rock Hill and York County, invisible and ignored...and less than a mile away from the center of a growing and bountiful city, teeming with resources. A Place for Hope (APFH) is committed to providing material resources, hands-on educational training and job development programs, and psychological hope for the residents, who find themselves living at the intersection of race, class, and gender inequalities. Thus APFH is about social service and social change. In terms of access to healthcare, basic services, water and sewer infrastructure, the Blackmon Road Community has been designated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as being the most severely underserved community in the entire state. We find this situation to be unacceptable, and shameful in this, the land of opportunity and hope. There are infants, school-aged children and teens who live in the Blackmon Road Community, and the dozens of children of extended families who, more often than not, spend their days and nights in the care of the adult family members living in the community. These children are part of a cycle of poverty that we have the capacity to interrupt. They need the kinds of infrastructural supports, educational programming, and psychological empowerment that will provide them with the self-esteem and community-building activities to truly believe that their lives can be different, that they can be anything they want to be in this world through commitment, hard work, dedication, and an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams. These are the foundational goals of A Place for Hope. Dr. Jennifer Leigh Disney President, Board of Directors, A Place for Hope Ms. Donna Berry Founder, A Place for Hope Photos from around our community... Sunset near the Blackmon Road Community July 2010 Home Grown Tomatoes!! Big Storm Comin' Through June 2010 Beauty on the Side of The Road City Stamp of Service 2007 Getting ready to tie The Red Ribbon !
			A Place for Hope announces the opening of the brand-spanking new Community Wash House and Laundromat On Monday July 12, 2010, A Place for Hope together with the generous and love-filled support from our amazing funders and speakers, Maureen van Glabbeek from The John L. Mulvaney Foundation and Angie McCrae from The Springs Close Foundation, celebrated the opening of our new Community Wash House and Laundromat !! We thank you all so much for making such a substantial commitment to our community, helping us plan this event and design the invitation, and for their powerful words of support for our endeavors. And finally, special thanks to Karen McKernan, our Executive Director, for pulling this amazing project and event together as she always does on a day to day basis. The words and presence of Congressmen John Spratt and Council Chair Buddy Motz and the ribbon cutting itself, by moms, dads, and the kids of our Community really made the day. We would also like to congratulate Chris Johnson on his election as the new APFH Board of Directors President...and a warm and loving thanks to our good friend and compatriot in the fight for access and equality, Dr.Jennifer Disney, for her service in bringing us all so much closer to our hopes, our dreams...and to the vision of a 'level playing field' for all. Thanks to you all!! Below are a few photos from the ribbon cutting event... The Front Door to a New Beginning! The Rev. James Hill offers a blessing for our new facility Cut That Ribbon!! A few of the new washers and dryers Rep John Spratt, Karen McKernan and Maureen van Glabbeek at the celebration. APFH Exec. Director, Karen McKernan addresses the assembled audience. York County Council Chairman, Buddy Motz and US Congressman, John Spratt offer congratulations. Thanks to everyone who gave of their time, generosity, and the spirit of hope and love for this milestone event. *VOLUNTEERS!!!* WE NEED YA!! EVENTS & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS!! *AFTER-SCHOOL & SUMMER EVENT PROGRAM SPONSORS !!* *MUSIC AND ART WORKSHOP TEACHERS !!* *EVENT PLANNING VOLUNTEERS !!* *CENTER MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP ASSISTANCE* *...AND SO MUCH MORE...* So, Come On Down to Our House and visit...