Greenwood Women Care (GWC) members and 12 most welcome guests met on Tuesday evening, November 14, at the Arts Center. Our theme was “Serving the Community Through Second Chances” which resonated with all of us as we all have been the happy recipients of grace and forgiveness to experience second chances.

Mini sandwiches, vegetarian wraps, spicy chicken nuggets, and a wide array of delectable desserts along with a lively punch and wine awaited us. Our talented and dedicated volunteer GWC photographer, Catherine DiBenedetto, who we learned is also a gifted whistler, called us from our happy socializing and herded us to pose for a group photo.

At 6:00 sharp, we congregated together for our program. Rachel Strayer, Vice Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, recognized our guest attendees and delivered a gracious welcome to all, along with a thought-provoking introduction to our program. Rachel noted: “This is a big topic that stirs different thoughts and feelings around the room. There is no pretending – we are human which makes us far from perfect. Sometimes people make bad choices that result in profound consequences. Other times being in the wrong place at the wrong time can result in equally dire consequences. Neither of these scenarios should cause a person to become an outcast or have judgement passed against them for the rest of their lives.” She continued, “Bad choices or mistakes are a part of life. We have all been there in some manner of speaking. Thankfully, we have been shown grace and have been allowed, even encouraged, to succeed despite them. That same mercy should be offered to those engaging in reentry to society following incarceration”. Rachel concluded her remarks by thanking us “as always, for your interest in looking at topics we may not often encounter with an open mind.”

Sylvia Martin, Executive Director of the Arts Council and GWC member, generously welcomed us to the Arts Center. She expressed thanks for the GWC grant award last year that allowed outreach enrichment opportunities focusing on the Gullah Geechee culture that culminated in a beautiful exhibit of art by Jonathan Green and dance by the Columbia City Ballet, “Off the Wall and Onto The Stage.”

Debra Coleman, Programs and Education Committee member, introduced Denise Mock, Community Service Coordinator of Greenwood and Abbeville Counties for the Alston Wilkes Society (AWS). A multistate nonprofit organization, AWS provides supportive services to individuals with justice system involvement, veterans and their families, and at-risk youth and adults in our community. Denise also coordinates resources with other agencies for those who are transitioning back into their communities as productive and successful citizens. Denise described AWS services and then introduced Candace Adams. Candace is a successful realtor in Greenwood who gave us insight into the struggles and challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated as they reenter society.

Sabrina Miller, of the Programs and Education Committee, introduced our next speaker, Jerry Blassingame, Founder and CEO of Soteria Community Development Corporation. Soteria CDC is committed to empowering and assisting individuals to reach their full potential as citizens in the Greenville community. From financial-planning and goal setting to positive decision-making, job training, and affordable rental housing, their programs assist previously incarcerated individuals. For those who complete the 12 months training, the recidivism rate is 0! Jerry conceived of Soteria while he was an inmate charged with drug offenses. Six months after his release, Soteria CDC was incorporated. Residents attend classes, learn a trade, participate in weekly church services and meetings with mentors, and share in daily devotions. Soteria now occupies eight buildings in the neighborhood of his former home and of his mother’s murder when he was a young child. In the Q & A portion, Jerry explained that Soteria is the Greek word for “salvation”. (Please see this link for Jerry’s stirring presentation at TEDx Greenville in 2018.)

Helena Wardlaw, Programs and Education Committee member, presented two books to be given in honor of our speakers to the Children’s Collection of Greenwood County Library. Trying by Kobi Yamada was given in honor of Jerry Blassingame and Maybe, also by Kobi Yamada, in honor of Denise Mock.

Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of the GWC Advisory Board, ended our evening with gratitude to our Social, Programs and Education, and Communications Committees for their preparations for this reception and program and to the Grants Review and Awards Committee for “leading us though our fifth granting cycle with aplomb, resulting in 10 GWC Grant awards totaling $75,000! This year’s awards bring our cumulative total awards in 5 years of grantmaking to 51 grants totaling $331,800!”

Mary also extended heartfelt appreciation to our speakers, noting that the book given in Jerry Blassingame’s honor is “a story of persistence and perseverance to achieve works of beauty and meaning. For decades, you have persevered – in shaping your own life story and the stories of those you have served faithfully and well” and that the book recognizing Denise Mock’s presentation is “a story of hope and possibility. You have encouraged hope and opened possibilities for many who may have lost sight of these intangible necessities”. She added: “You both move toward the hard things in life, and lives are reclaimed and renewed because you do. You encourage hope in us as well by sharing with us your heartfelt work for the betterment of our community as a whole and for so many individuals and families within it. Thank you again for taking time to share your commitments and visions with us. We hope for every blessing for you and your organizations as you persevere.”

Our delightful GWC scarecrow, Ms. Carey Givings, has returned to Uptown Greenwood! She is on display on Main Street in this year’s Annual Scarecrow Contest.

Ms. Carey Givings may be seen at the lamppost in front of The Grose Law Firm (305 Main St.).

Please pay Carey a visit and then honor her – and GWC – by voting for her as your favorite Uptown scarecrow! Click this link to cast your vote for Carey! Votes may be placed from Tuesday, October 3 at 10:00 am through midnight on Tuesday, October 31. (Winners will be announced on the Uptown website, Facebook, and Instagram on November 2.)

The GWC scarecrow is a GWC Communication Committee project initiated last year by Rachel Strayer. This year, Ms. Carey Givings features “caring arms” that hold scarecrow children representing a number of our GWC Grant recipients that provide essential services in our community.

Communications Committee members Catherine DiBenedetto, Sandy McCord, Laura Stowe, and Rachel Strayer spent a lovely autumn evening creating this scarecrow on Catherine’s farm.

We hope that Ms. Carey Givings will serve as our Uptown ambassador throughout the month of October, encouraging more women to join us in GWC as we care for Greenwood, and give for the benefit of our whole community!

For the first time in GWC’s history, our Membership Committee hosted a second informal dinner to welcome women who joined GWC this year. GWC is delighted to have 18 new members in 2023! Four of these 18 attended this dinner and seven were able to come to our Soup Supper last February.

Our New Members dinners provide an opportunity to extend a personal welcome, give an overview of the activities of our GWC Committees, and convene a smaller gathering for women new to GWC to meet other members outside the context of our larger Quarterly Meetings and Socials.

We shared homemade appetizers, sandwiches, muffins, salads, and desserts and spent time visiting with new and longtime friends. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of our Advisory Board, Rachel Strayer, Advisory Board Vice Chair, and Betty Adams, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee introduced activities of the six standing committees within GWC.

It was a wonderful time to enjoy excellent fare and each other’s fine company!

Special thanks to Betty Adams for hosting us in her lovely home, Membership Committee members for providing delicious food and drink, and our new members for sharing this evening together!

Greenwood Women Care (GWC) members, 2022 grantees, and guests met on Monday evening, August 14, to celebrate 2022’s grant recipients. Our theme was Giving is in Our Genes! and in keeping with the theme we were decked out in denim as we gathered at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) for our reception and program.

Our Social Committee members outdid themselves once again with a lovely array of wraps, salads, and petit fours. The room was filled with laughter and, walking through the venue, you could hear women meeting and greeting, catching up, telling stories, and sharing life from this past summer.

At 6 o’clock, we headed to the auditorium for our program. Mary Woodiwiss, Chair of GWC’s Advisory Board, gave opening remarks of welcome and noted that we now have 145 members! She also asked our guests to stand, and everyone was given a warm and welcoming round of applause.

Mary expressed gratitude to be gathering at the Greenwood Genetic Center, “a place of uncommon service and distinctive excellence.” Just as GGC is a place of caring, Mary emphasized that Care forms a full one third of our name. “As a diverse body of women from many and varied life and professional experiences, GWC is a real-life lab for forming bonds in new and invigorating ways with women we may have missed thus far in our community life. It is our care for this community which draws us together and our care for each other that enriches us. Our hopes for our community and ourselves are aspirational, but they are also grounded in real actions and refining experiences. We come together to learn and give alongside each other, and we actually enjoy doing it!”

Through GWC in 2022, we have learned, given, and grown together. Mary was excited to lead us in celebration of this journey and in honoring our 2022 grantees. She invited Megha Lal, GWC Member and Chair Elect of the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation Board, to the podium. Megha graciously introduced Cady Nell Keener, Executive Director of the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation and GWC Member. Cady Nell welcomed us to GGC and presented an inspiring video highlighting the history and ongoing work of GGC, a nonprofit organization which is a center of research and service in the field of medical genetics. To learn more about the Greenwood Genetic Center (and view truly inspirational videos) visit ggc.org  .

Next, Margaret Conrad, Member of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, recognized our wonderful 2022 grantees! Rachel Strayer and Caleb Kidd Coy prepared a video entitled Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients. We were inspired to hear from representatives of the following eleven organizations: Alston Wilkes Society, Arts Council of Greenwood, Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Food Bank of Greenwood County, Greenwood Cancer Fund, Greenwood Pathway House, Greenwood Performing Arts, Healthy Learners, Humane Society of Greenwood, Next Level Lifestyles, and The Period Project. Please view Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients here.

We celebrated as our grant recipients came to the stage to receive special cookies decorated with GWC and DNA images and pose for a group photo by Catherine DiBenedetto, Co-Chair of our Communications Committee.

Charlene Kish, Member of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, presented the book to be donated to the Greenwood County Library Children’s Collection with a special bookplate noting our 2022 grantees. Book donations given at our Quarterly Meetings in honor of our presenters are titles selected by Jody Gable, Children’s Services Coordinator, and purchased locally. A World of Praise was written by Deborah Lock and illustrated by Helen Cann. The book is described as “a global hymn to God’s abundant love and care for his creation.” GWC is proud to dedicate this book to our eleven grant recipients who, in so many diverse ways, have demonstrated love and care for people (and animals!) in our community.

Jan Puzar, Co-Chair of GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee, closed our evening, thanking all our members, grantees, and guests for celebrating that Giving is in Our Genes! She presented a great summary for each of our grant recipient organization’s mission. The services provided to the Greenwood community through the 2022 grants encompass:

Homeless shelters
Nutrition education
Children’s healthcare access
Cancer meds
Youth mentoring
Offender services
Parent education and counseling
Art therapy and education
Personal hygiene supplies
Medicine for shelter dogs
A Celebration of Gullah Gechee Culture

She closed the evening by once again thanking the Greenwood Genetic Center for use of their beautiful facilities, Rachel Strayer and Caleb Kidd Coy for producing the Honoring the 2022 Grant Recipients video, the GWC Social Committee for the lovely reception, the GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee for planning the meeting, and all who joined in our celebration by wearing denim because truly: Giving is in Our Genes!