We are honored to have been featured recently on Live 5 News. Thank you for taking the time to spotlight our organization and programs that serve so many of our communities.

The news video and article highlight the partnership between Origin and the Town of Summerville and how the two have been working together to provide those living in the Town of Summerville with financial assistance.

 "The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many and now a local nonprofit and the Town of Summerville are partnering together to help their residents who may be at risk of losing their home.

The town of Summerville received funds through the CARES Act and contacted the nonprofit Origin SC to best distribute the funds.

Anyone living in the town who needs help paying their mortgage, rent, or utilities due to COVID-19′s impact can get assistance.

Since last year, the town and Origin SC have helped 66 people by distributing more than $300,000." 

 Watch the video or read the article here.

If you or someone you know need help paying your mortgage, rent, or utilities due to COVID-19′s impact and live in the town of Summerville, please let us help. We want to reassure you that we have HUD certified and licensed credit counselors here to help you find solutions to your current situation. To be eligible you must live in the town of Summerville.

To learn more about your available options, eligibility requirements, and the next steps to take please click here and follow the steps on the webpage to get started. More information on our eviction prevention programs and foreclosure prevention programs can also be found at the link above.

www.originsc.org

Written by Lindsey Jenkins

Marketing & Outreach Manager at Origin SC

 To help celebrate Earth Day this year consider taking actions and steps that are good for Mother Earth and also good for your wallet.

1.    Enroll in electronic banking – This saves you trips to the bank which also helps reduce the greenhouse admissions that are put out daily by automobiles. Plus online banking is so much more convenient. You will not be sorry about making this easy change.

2.    Enroll in paperless statements – We all know paper is made from trees. So when you have paper statements being mailed to you monthly, this is causing trees to be cut down. Trees help fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Paperless statements are available for three years, so there’s no need to print and file them.

3.    Shop your local farmers market - Food at the farmers market is usually grown locally, meaning it doesn’t have to travel as far to get to you. Charleston and the surrounding areas have a ton local farms that supply produce to our local communities! Depending on the area you live in there is usually one farmers market per week and sometimes two. Shopping as much as you can from your local farmers market reduces the environmental impact of the food, which usually costs the same or less than you would pay at the grocery store. A list of farmers market in Charleston and the surrounding areas can be found at the link below.

https://charleston.momcollective.com/in-around-charleston/guide-to-farmers-markets-around-charleston/

4.    Avoid disposables – This is a more obvious one but you will definitely notice the amount of money you can save by drinking from a reusable water bottle and bringing your food in a reusable Tupperware rather than Ziploc bags.

5.    Be more vigilant about how you run your home - Setting your thermostat a few degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter can reduce energy use significantly. Also, wash your clothes in cold water and only run the dishwasher when completely full.

6.    Make energy-efficient updates to your home - Installing a new furnace, replacing doors and windows or adding insulation may reduce the amount of energy your home uses and cut your energy costs. Using your home equity is a cost-efficient, affordable way to pay for these projects. 

        Origin offers financial education and coaching to help you become more green when it comes to your budget and finances and we can help you improve your credit. We offer the following services within our Financial Education & Coaching division.

·        Financial Coaching

·        Credit Improvement

·        Debt Management

·        Bankruptcy Counseling

·        Financial Education Workshops

·        Student Loan Counseling

To learn more about these services or the Financial Education & Coaching program at Origin, please click here. 

By Lindsey Jenkins - Marketing & Outreach Manager At Origin SC

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From Victim to Survivor to Thriver - One Client's Journey to a Brighter Future

Years and years of violence in the home has a lasting effect on the mind and body, not to mention other family members within the home. Origin recently served a client that left her violent home roughly four months ago. Her home was built from an abusive marriage that spanned more than twenty-five years. For multiple decades, she battled sociocultural expectations, which limited her ability to walk the path to a brighter future. Origin stepped in and helped. When our counselors in the Family Violence Intervention Program first met with her, she presented debilitating symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety, and panic. Again, we ask ourselves how any individual can have a good quality of life while dealing with these debilitating factors and their basic needs (safety) being non-existent? Over time, our counselors worked with her to develop new coping skills using visualization exercises and grounding techniques to control her panic symptoms. Through psychoeducation skills, she learned about the cycle of violence, power and control, and the many ways that the impact of abuse manifests in our lives. That impact can be physical, emotional, psychological, social, or economic.  Our team remembers asking her at her first counseling appointment, "What words would you use to describe yourself"? Her response was silence. For the past twenty-five years, her violence within her home had completely disassociated her own sense of self and identity. While walking alongside our team just this past November, she was able to step outside of her abusive home and never look back. She secured her own apartment, gained new employment, and gained enough insight and confidence in a brighter future that she realized she had aspirations to be a social worker. We are so proud to report she was recently accepted into Trident Technical College's Human Services Program and will have her first day in the classroom this May! 

To learn more about Origin's Family Violence Intervention Program, click here

If you would like to make a donation to this program click here.

Meet the Staff

 

Name: Lasonya Brown  

Title: Intake Coordinator

Hometown: Hollywood

Years Working for Origin: 4 months

Favorite Hobby: Listening to audio books

What drew you to Origin SC originally? And how has the organization changed since?

I was once a client of Origin. I took a financial literacy class to help in the home buying process. I loved how the instructor broke everything down so someone like me who had “no clue” about credit scores could understand. After becoming a member of the team, I realized that Origin is so much more than buying a home. We are an organization that helps people in all aspects of their life.

What has surprised you the most about working at Origin SC?

The amount of mail that gets processed here. It’s like we are a mini Post Office.

What is an experience that has really shaped who you are?

Helping clients with low income and mental needs has given me so much more patience with people. It made me realize that little things I complain about isn’t even worth the complaint. There are so many people that needs organizations like ours to help.

How has Origin SC helped you in your career development?

I have more knowledge of how Social Security works for our clients. I never knew it was different types of Social Security benefits.

What is one thing that you are most proud of?

I am proud of how far I have come in 4 months. I am going to be taking on a new position to help our clients even more.

 

Name: Chris Jones

Title: Fiduciary Accounting Coordinator but have accepted a position as the Systems Administrator for the organization that will begin in a few weeks.

Hometown: James Island, SC

Years Working for Origin: 4 months

 

Favorite Hobby:  Roller skating!

 

What drew you to Origin SC originally and how has the organization changed since?

I was drawn to the commitment that Origin has to be a practical resource for the community we serve. In my short time, I’ve watched how all departments (housing services, fiduciary services, rep. payee services), all work together, share resources, and support each other in the common goal.

What has surprised you the most about working at Origin SC?

That we’ve been around since the 1800’s!!

What is an experience that has really shaped who you are?

I acted in a fiduciary role for 3 years on behalf of a veteran a friend of mine. I learned about the obstacles, special needs, and personal challenges someone who loses a level of capacity can have to cope with, and the critical need for community support someone in that position depends on. He passed away in 2012.

How has Origin SC helped you in your career development?

I’ve been encouraged by the team at Origin, who recognized specific skills and interests, to pursue projects that have been challenging, and rewarding.

What is one thing that you are most proud of?

I’m very proud of the way my team considers the service of our clients as the primary goal and function of our work. No matter what role we play, everyone considers how their work will impact the needs of clients.

 

New Year New Goals

"The new year is a great time to examine your goals – and to make sure you're getting the information you need to help achieve them. Whether you're looking to buy a new house or a new car, or even to find a new job or career path, it's always a good idea to take a look at your finances and make sure you have a plan in place to accomplish your goals. For many, the two biggest questions to resolve as you find your financial footing are knowing where to start and assessing where you are." 

This is from a recently published article called New Year, sustainable goals written by Madelyn Lazorchak, a Communications writer at NeighborWorks America.

The article includes interviews with Tavia Watson, housing manager, workshop facilitator, and HUD-approved credit counselor at Origin SC and Molly Barackman-Eder, director of financial capability for NeighborWorks America. Tavia and Molly both provide their own advice on what others can do to hit the ground running and make sure they reach their financial goals this year and Tavia even highlights what she does to stay motivated towards her own personal goals such as place "motivational notes around her home to remind herself that she can achieve her goals. And she recommends that her clients do the same."

 To finish reading this article click here.