State senator secures $300K in budget for Lowcountry domestic violence shelter

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Lowcountry domestic violence shelter is getting financial help from this year’s state budget thanks to one South Carolina senator.

Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston, designated $300,000 of the state budget to help fund therapy and housing programs at My Sister’s House, a Lowcountry domestic violence shelter.

My Sister’s House provides emergency shelter and clinical therapy to victims of domestic violence and the money from the state will help them keep up their work in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties.

The shelter asked for $500,000, hoping for $300,000 to go toward therapy services and the other $200,000 for emergency sheltering costs, like booking hotels for victims. Sen. Tedder was able to earmark $300,000 for the program.

My Sister’s House leaders say they rely heavily on state support, especially in the wake of the program seeing federal funding cuts.

Based on the research in their budget application, 55% of Lowcountry adults have been a victim of domestic violence. In 2023, My Sister’s House says they sheltered 133% more clients and children than the previous year and their therapists served 70% more group therapy clients.

In the coming year, they hope to host at least 200 group therapy sessions serving 700 people and provide 160 Lowcountry people with free individual therapeutic services that are trauma-informed.

The agency says they are happy to see any support from state leaders to help them keep up their therapy and housing programs. The funding will be available starting in October and usable into 2025.

My Sister’s House CEO Tosha Conners provided the following statement:

My Sister’s House is deeply grateful to Sen. Tedder and his Statehouse colleagues for championing our critical funding request for the upcoming year. We are encouraged by the news of this $300,000 line item, as it demonstrates meaningful support for our mission, clients, and community. This is an increasingly difficult time for victim service providers across the state as we prepare to face painful VOCA funding cuts this fall. The impact of impending reductions will be offset by this generous and meaningful funding, stabilizing our provision of life-changing emergency shelter and clinical therapy support for hundreds of survivors and their children over the next year.

As the leading nonprofit provider of free domestic violence survival, recovery, and awareness programs for Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties, My Sister’s House is committed to building a safer, healthier Lowcountry for all. We are honored to continue forward with our mission, backed by our advocates and allies at the state level.