Rebuilding Lives for a Safer Community

The Alston Wilkes Society (AWS) is a statewide non-profit organization that provides those most at risk with hope for a brighter future.  AWS gives hope and rebuilds lives through rehabilitative and prevention services.  The agency was founded in 1962 as a non-profit organization led by a group of dedicated volunteers working under the direction of the Reverend Eli Alston Wilkes, Jr., a Methodist minister who labored as a tireless and devoted worker in helping those less fortunate. Today, the Alston Wilkes Society is the largest statewide agency of its kind providing direct services in North and South Carolina to not only offenders, but also the homeless, families in crisis, at-risk youth, and homeless veterans.

Locations:
Columbia
Charleston
Florence

Federal Residential
Reentry Centers (RRC)

Three adult residential facilities house
federal offenders through contracts with
the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  AWS
provides 24-hour supervision, housing,
food, and intense case management. 
Many reentry programs are offered to
help residents make a smooth transition
back into the community.  Such programs
include parenting classes, life skills training,
cultural diversity training, money
management classes, and substance
abuse counseling.

AWS is the recipient of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant that assists qualifying low income veterans and their families in gaining access to supportive services enabling the family to maintain and/or obtain per- manent housing.  AWS has SSVF offices in Columbia, Greenville, and Charlotte, NC.

Veteran Services
Veterans Helping Veterans

The Alston Wilkes Veterans Home was the first transitional
housing facility for veterans in
the Midlands.  The AWVH provides, housing; clothing; food; job training and place- ment; substance abuse and therapeutic counseling; and mentoring to help homeless veterans regain self-suffiency.
The program  has an 85% successful graduation rate.

Clients may receive assistance & referalls in the following areas:
Clothing • Food • Education Assistance • Employment Placement • Employment Training • Housing Assistance • Counseling Referrals • Transportation

Community Services
Rebuilding Lives Since 1962

Ten regional Community
Service Coordinators serve all 46 counties in S.C., providing case management, counseling and employment services to offenders, ex- offenders, homeless people and families in crisis. When AWS is not able to provide direct assistance, information and referrals are available during the case management process.

Youth Services Programs:
• Columbia Youth Home
• Intensive Family Services
• Treatment Foster Care
• Clinical Day Program

Youth Services
Providing a continuum of care

The AWS provides 24-hour
supervision and care by a
diverse and experienced staff that includes residential, academic, clinical, and home-based community services.  Smaller caseloads allow for more intensive services. All Youth Programs are  accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).


AWS NEWS

The Alston Wilkes Society's Board of Directors and Staff are pleased to announce that AWS was recently awarded reaccreditation  by the
Council on Accreditation (COA).  The award letter dated January 23, 2014 reads: "Reaccreditation is a tremendous achievement that demonstrates that your organization is recognized as a provider that continues to successfully implement high performance standards and, as such, is delivering the highest quality services to all of its stakeholders."  Everyone at AWS is delighted to be recognized as a part of COA's Community of Excellence!


A new AWS Community Service office has opened in Spartanburg.  Ms. Alvetia Williams, Spartanburg's new Community Service Coordinator opened her door for business February 3, 2014.  Ms. Williams' office is located in the Spartanburg Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services' office located at 180 Library Street, Spartanburg, S.C. 29306.  To make an appointment, call 864-596-2582 ext. 303.  Welcome to the AWS team!

 

The Alston Wilkes Society welcomes three new members to the AWS Board of Directors in 2014:

Clay Catoe
Director
Lancaster County EMS
______________________

Rion Cobb
V.P. of Human Services
Terminix Services, Inc.
Columbia, SC
______________________

Rev. Mary Green
Methodist Pastor
Good Shepherd UMC
Lancaster, SC
______________________

Liz Patterson
Former Congresswoman
Spartanburg, SC

______________________

How Can You Help?

Become a member • Volunteer • Sponsor a foster child for a special occasion •  Donate your gently used dress clothes for clients' job interviews • Donate an item from the In-Kind Needs list • Tell your friends and family about us • Become a foster parent • Make a tax deductible contribution in someone's honor or memory • Remember us in your will • Invite us to speak to your church, civic, or small group
Thank you!

Become a Foster Parent Today!

Becoming a Foster Parent can be a very rewarding experience!  Do you possess the gift of being able to open your heart and home to children who are in need of a safe, nurturing place to live?  With your courage, strength, and patience,  YOU can become a hero to a child in need!      


2014 Agency Calendar of Meetings & Events

     April 8, 2014
     8th Annual Past Employees' Luncheon

     12:00 PM - 2:00 PM -  Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church
                                            1500 Broad River Road
                                             Columbia, SC 29210
     April 9, 2014
     Executive Staff Meeting

     9:30 AM - AWS State Office Conference Room
     April 29, 2014
     AW Foundation Trustees Meeting

     1:15 PM - 2:30 PM - AWS State Office Conference Room
     May 20, 2014
     AWS Board of Directors Meeting

     11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Executive Committee - AWS State Office
     12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Board of Directors Meeting - AWS State Office
     June 5, 2014
     Management Team Meeting
     9:30 AM - 10:30 AM - RRC Facility Directors - AWS State Office
     10:30 AM - All Management Team - AWS State Office Conference Room
     June 17, 2014
     Employee Advisory Council Meeting (EAC)
     10:00 AM - AWS State Office Conference Room
     July 16, 2014
     Executive Staff
     9:30 AM - AWS State Office Conference Room
     July 29, 2014
     AWS Foundation Trustees Meeting
     1:15 PM - 2:30 PM - AWS State Office Conference Room