Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Tolbert.
Hi Denise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in the fall of 2020 on the first cold morning of the season. As I dug out my winter coat, I thought about if the homeless were prepared for this suddenly cold temperature. In the same thought, I decided to do my first ever drive, a coat drive, for them. While looking for recipients for the sum of close to 300 hundred items collected, I realized there were more people living on the streets than I had imagined. About maybe 2weeks before distribution, I discovered that the big shelter our city once had, was shut down around 2012, and nothing replaced it. This revelation hurt me to my heart. Before distribution, I got a vision one night and woke up with my heart pressing me to open a shelter to get the street sleepers off the streets in Charleston County and surrounding counties. Multiple conversations with GOD helped me to make decisions that led me to a business plan to open a 50,000 sq ft all-inclusive shelter, as my research uncovered the reality that there was nowhere for 90% of the street sleepers to go—witnessing firsthand people of all ages sleeping face to concrete without options. Covid is a natural disaster, and help is needed on so many levels. A part of my plan also included employment services, and I’m happy to announce that my organization has partnered with a new Cleanout business, Lowcost Property Cleanouts, to only hire street sleepers while overlooking the usual expectations an employer would have, for example, cleanliness and grooming. Understanding the limitations of our homeless neighbors, this business makes it possible for them to gain hope and income on their journey to self-sufficiency. I’ve met awesome genuine people on this journey, whom of which are true blessings to my mission.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I won’t say it was smooth nor rough; however, I’d say it’s unknown territory that placed me in positions outside of my box. Many experiences made me cry as they were simply tugging at my heart. The only struggle worth mentioning would be finding a location for the shelter. The dots didn’t connect right away; however, the tasks myself and my realtor Hannah of Capital One Realtors tackled simply proved to be educational for the both of us. It took time to find a location that was zoned. As of now, the location we decided upon is only for sale. The owners aren’t interested in leasing. So, for the past maybe 8 months or so, my organization has been doing multiple fundraising projects to raise the $800,000 needed to purchase the property before it’s sold to someone else. Because my nonprofit is only a little over a year old, we don’t qualify for big-ticket grants, so we have to ask the public for help as we have been. We’ve even organized a telethons for homeless veterans where South Carolina’s own GRAMMY AWARD WINNER Quiana Parler and SC STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE Wendell Gilliard and Ms. Transcontinental Classic, as well as Hermann Spicker, were on the show. We didn’t raise as much money as we’d hoped for; however, I’m eternally grateful for their support and the support of all the locals who made the event possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My professional experience includes many different categories of employment; however, the longest, most successful area is managing small businesses, of which half of those excelled under my direction and became very profitable. I’m most proud of introducing many new fashions to the South Carolina area. I’ve always had an eye for what would be the next big thing in business. What sets me apart from others? Everything. Each one of us are completely different. I’d say that one of my favorite qualities about myself is definitely determination and listening to my intuition even if I don’t fully understand why I’m being led in a certain direction.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Best… That would definitely be easy access to the waterways, especially the beaches. The least… hmmm… it’s usually behind the times. Like it takes SC years to catch up to national changes.
Contact Info:
- Email: thevillageofsc.chs@gmail.com
- Website: www.thevillageofsc.org
- Instagram: @_thevillageofsc
- Facebook: The Village of South Carolina
- Twitter: @_thevillageofsc
- Youtube: The Village of South Carolina Homeless Shelter and Services
- Other: TikTok @the village of sc homeless
Image Credits
Claudia Rios
Rays Nails
Ashley Stuart
Gloria Tolbert
