Ann Driggers was given a vision in 2002 to build a house in Clarendon County for women who had been domestically abused. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in just the U.S. alone, an average of three women die as a result of domestic violence each day.
Since 2008, the Jordan Crossroads Ministry Center-Haven of Rest, a non-profit organization, has provided temporary housing for women, and their children, who’ve been physically, verbally, mentally or emotionally abused. Although the center is located in Clarendon County, in a non-disclosed location to protect its residents, it is open to women from other counties, as well as outside the state.
“We take in women who’ve been in an unsafe environment, and need to get away,” said Driggers, who serves as the center’s director. “A lot of times the abused need to get away from the local environment where they’ve lived.”
The Haven of Rest brings in women to their center through the Clarendon County Victim’s Advocate program, Department of Social Services, South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, as well as hospitals, churches, police departments and other organizations. Women from Clarendon County, and as far away as Alaska, have come through the center.
“When the women contact us, they go through an interview process,” Driggers said. “They basically tell us their story of abuse, and we provide them with shelter for 90 days or less.”
Driggers said that homeless women with an abusive past from years ago do not qualify for temporary housing. The goal, she said, is to help those who are in a current domestic abuse situation, and do not have an alternative place to stay. A clean drug test is required to stay in the house.
During their stay, the center’s board members work with the women to help them find permanent housing. They also work with the F.E. DuBose Career Center’s One-Stop program to help them find a job. If a woman has any source of income, she gives a certain percentage to help with costs of housing and food; if not Driggers said the organization helps her apply for food stamps. Driggers also provides spiritual ministry if the women are receptive to it. Driggers said that the center operates on a shoe-string budget, all of its funding comes from private donations, churches and other organizations.
The house has four bedrooms and two baths, and can accommodate up to six women.
“We want to help them start from the beginning by improving their lives,” Driggers said.
She said that they have been successful in helping women start over in their lives.
Eleven women, and their eight children, have come through the center since 2008, with each woman basically having the house to herself.
“It’s been very rewarding, to a see a woman come in to the program and come out a new person,” Driggers said.
Driggers said that the center is working towards a structured counseling program, and hiring full-time staff to stay at the house.
“A lot of women think that they can’t get out of their current situation,” she said. “Our goal is to let them know that they can live a better life.”
If you are interested in making a donation to the center, please make checks out to JCMC-Haven of Rest, and send to P.O. Box 166, Alcolu, SC 29001. For more information contact Driggers at 803-309-8085, email the center at jcmc.havenofrestwomencenter@gmail.com, or check out the website at www.jordancrossroadsministrycenter.com.
The JCMC board holds a public meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall on Hwy. 301 in Manning. The next meeting is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
