Staff reports
At the fourth quarter meeting of 100 Women Who Care (WWC) in October, three different nonprofit organizations presented their needs to the group. Untimately, the group selected the Helianthus Project, whose mission is to assist minor/youth victims of human trafficking within the Lowcountry.
In addition to providing free education regarding human trafficking to the local community and businesses, they also work closely with the S.C. State Human Trafficking Taskforce, as well as the Lowcountry Human Trafficking Taskforce to assist in resource allocation, financial assistance and more.
In November, Laura Riski, coordinator of the Beaufort 100 WWC chapter, presented Rachel McBride, founder and executive director of the Helianthus Project, a check for $12,400.
The monies will be used to help launch an Advocacy Program to create a certified Advocate to work closely with the victim and their family to assist in providing emotional support, guidance, and resources. They will be able to assist victims and their families financially to assist in covering essential needs such as housing; clothing; food; hygiene; safe and reliable transportation to various counseling sessions and doctors appointments, including co-pay assistance if necessary.
100 Women Who Care have now surpassed the $500,000 mark in donations to Northern Beaufort County nonprofits. More than 100 local women meet quarterly and each donate $100 check to the selected non-profit. For more information, visit www.100wwcbeaufort.org.
For more information on the Helianthus Project. visit www.thehelianthusproject.org.
