Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathleen DeCourcy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always volunteered in some capacity since my early teen years. Whether it be in my former home state of RI or my new home state of South Carolina. In 2022, the rural area of Jasper County where I live was being considered for a large subdivision development with over 4000 units in a 1500 acre former plantation site. Our community enjoys the rural nature and access to Euhaw Creek for boating and various outdoor activities. Residents of our small community banded together and formed a grassroots group under the name of Keep Chelsea Rural. Part of our efforts to keep our area rural was performing research on the historic property. The deeper I got into the research the more convinced I was that it deserved protection from urban sprawl. A portion of this plantation was once part of the Heyward Family holdings. Daniel Heyward, father to the signer of the Declaration of Independence, accumulated a massive amount of the land in my area. The area, during colonial times, was named Euhaw. One of the most patriotic areas outside of Beaufort and Charleston just prior to the Revolutionary War. In 2023, I was approached to join the Jasper County 250 Committee. The County Committee is an arm of the South Carolina 250 Commission.
“The Jasper County South Carolina 250 Committee (Committee) is an organized County
committee consisting of community and civic volunteers, members of Jasper County
government agencies, City of Hardeeville, and Town of Ridgeland representatives. The
committee has been charged with the responsibility of planning and development of sites
and events that will highlight the role that Jasper County played in the American
Revolution and provide opportunities for education and tourism within the county.
With the support of the South Carolina 250 Commission, the Committee has the
responsibility and authority to plan and execute a proper observance of the
Sestercentennial of the American Revolution in Jasper County for its citizens and visitors”.
While doing research in my community, I became active in attending the local council and planning meetings to see what developments were being proposed. We are seeing exponential growth in our area and the lack of infrastructure to support this growth is detrimental to our quality of life. While advocating for the preservation of our historic assets and cultural, I found that there were many African-American cemeteries that were not receiving the protection and preservation that they deserve. I added these cemeteries to my advocacy work.
The threat of development still sits at our doorstep and we continue to advocate for the preservation of this area. We continue to have a pristine water way and sensitive wetlands and marshlands all around us. We must be strong and advocate for the lands because once they are gone, they are gone forever. No future generation will be able to enjoy them like we have.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is never smooth when you are fighting greed. Developers first priority is the return on their investment. They are not our neighbors, they are here while the land is available to be developed and once consumed by development, they move on to the next area. Preservation is not in the forefront of most minds. It can be expensive and time consuming to keep history and historic sites alive for all to enjoy.
Developer’s come in with a lot of promises, but when the rubber hits the road those promises are just talk and not actions. I am not opposed to development, but it needs to be in the right place with the best outcome for the community. I found this statement profound “Growth should be the byproduct of getting better, not the goal itself.” Challenging the norm is never smooth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I retired from the business world in 2020. The majority of my professional career was as a paralegal in the real estate area. I was born and raised in Rhode Island and spent most of my professional life working for a large law firm. In 2008 when the housing market crashed I was not able to find suitable work in the real estate area. By the end of 2010 I was frustrated with the employment opportunities and the long winters in Rhode Island. I came to South Carolina to visit my son, whom lived here, and fell in love with the area and the warm sunny winter. In 2011 I decided to stay here and find employment. The availability for employment was better here than in the north. There was hurdles to finding employment as I was a transplant. To stay active and learn more about the area I started to volunteer at a local animal rescue adoption center. After several months of volunteering I was offered a part time job as a receptionist, then full time as a kennel technician and final ended up as Operations Manager. In May of 2013 I took a leave of absence to return to Rhode Island and tend to a sick long time friend. Unfortunately, the day prior to my return to South Carolina, I was notified that my position was filled by another individual. I returned and started looking for a new job. In July 2013 I was hired by a local law firm in the real estate litigation area. In 2020 I retired to start a nonprofit that served the underserved in my community. I had spent 4 years volunteering at a State Correctional Facility teaching soft skills and bible studies, I had a desire to assist those re-entering their communities after incarceration with support services that would assist in their transition. Unfortunately, the year I started my nonprofit was the year covid hit. I was only able to financial support the organization for one and half years. I was unable to continue on with out grants or donations. I closed the organization and have remained retired and volunteering in my community since.
I am known for my great work ethic, research skills and compassion for others. I am most proud of the volunteer work I did in the correctional facilities. When men were at the lowest and lost to darkness, I was able to be there and stand beside them.
What does success mean to you?
Success is defined by having compassion for others, meeting individuals where they are at, good work ethics and being happy with the life you have lived.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jasper250.com/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563182674915&_rdc=1&_rdr#
- Other: jaspercounty250@gmail.com
