According to a report from the City of Charleston, the city’s downtown day center, the Hope Center, will transition its operations to the Star Gospel Mission to allow for expanded services and a wider reach throughout the city.
Expansion of services and reach
The transition aims to grow the current model of the Hope Center, which provides case management, housing resources, health care, substance use counseling, and assistance with benefits at 529 Meeting St. While the center currently operates on weekdays from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serves people from a single location on the peninsula, the partnership with Star Gospel Mission seeks to offer help during more hours and reach people across the entire city. The lease for the current center location has been extended through December 2027, and officials stated there will be no gap in care for those utilizing the services.
Mayor Cogswell aligns mission with Star Gospel Mission
Mayor Cogswell noted that the move aligns with the idea that homelessness is a regional challenge requiring a regional response, stating that the specialized work should be led by those who do it best. He added, “Nobody in Charleston has done it longer or better than Star Gospel Mission.”
The Star Gospel Mission, which has operated as Charleston’s oldest independent faith-based charity for more than 120 years, already manages transitional housing for men, women, and children, as well as recovery programs and emergency social services. Rev. Dr. Marion Platt III, the executive director and pastor of Star Gospel Mission, said the organization is honored to carry the work forward. “Our vision is rooted in radical hospitality, where every person is treated with dignity and connected to the resources and relationships they need,” Platt said.
City and Star Gospel Mission plan transition together
The city and Star Gospel Mission intend to sign a memorandum of understanding, which will be followed by a tri-party agreement. While many details are currently being finalized, the organizations are planning the move together to ensure a smooth transition. “This next chapter builds upon the important work of the Hope Center,” Platt said.
