Crisis Ministries Acquires Summerville Homeless Shelter

Homeless shelter, Palmetto House, has been acquired by Crisis Ministries. By acquiring the facility, Crisis Ministries can provide guests of Palmetto House with access to previously unavailable services like legal and employment assistance.

The acquisition formalizes a lengthy relationship between the two organizations. Crisis Ministries took over management of the shelter in 2010 to help ease a transition in its leadership. Palmetto House was closed temporarily to allow for an overhaul of systems and structure, and reopened in May 2011. Crisis Ministries’ success bringing the shelter in line with modern management philosophies led its board to acquire Palmetto House.

Crisis Ministries CEO Stacey Denaux remarked: “The women and families served by Palmetto House have long appreciated the shelter provided here. Now, we are able to bring a broader array of services to these guests, so they can get back on their feet.”

Denaux added that aligning two similar organizations under one management structure “helps improve efficiencies and is something this region’s business and non-profit leaders are increasingly working to accomplish.”

Meanwhile, community partners such as the Summerville Family YMCA and Moms Clinic are providing additional services to residents.

Palmetto House opened in 1989 as temporary housing after Hurricane Hugo. Today, it serves up to 20 women and children each night in Summerville and Dorchester County, providing meals, shelter and case management at 107 Elks Lodge Lane.