50+ resources for those in need
It’s no secret that Columbia has a population of homeless and in-need men, women, children, teens + families – so, how do we help? What places around town offer emergency (and more long-term) access to food, clothing, financial assistance, transportation + health services?
We did a little digging and found several emergency service guides and organizations in Cola who provide resources for the homeless + in-need communities – and put those all together into one guide.
Print out or bookmark the full guide for easy access in the future. Then, if you find yourself needing resources or encounter someone who does, you’ll be ready.
As always, this is not a complete list. Send us resources so we can add to this guide.
Columbia organizations
Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) coordinated by United Way of the Midlands
Services: Members of MACH and partnering companies have access to a statewide database called CMIS which has info about each partner, including what they supply for the homeless community (ex: ColaTown Bike Collective provides transportation/bikes), hours + more.
Hours: Phone line open 24/7
Location: 1818 Blanding St.
Contact: Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency service information or visit SC211.org for resources
Services: Transitional housing through St. Lawrence Place + long-term affordable housing for families
Location: 2711 Middleburg Dr., Suite 308
Contact: (803)-602-6379
The Alston Wilkes Society (AWS)
Services: Rehabilitative + Prevention
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: 3519 Medical Drive
Contact: (803) 799-2490
Services: Emergency housing, meals + showers
Hours: Open 24/7
Location: 2025 Main St.
Contact: (803) 708-4861
Services: Resource connection for victims of domestic violence
Contact: crisis line: (803) 765-9428 open 24/7; non-emergency: (803) 926-0505
Services: Emergency housing + programming for women
Hours: Call between 10 a.m. + 4 p.m. Mon.- Fri. to set up an interview
Location: 3425 N. Main St.
Contact: (803) 779-4706
Services: Newsletter with resources + information for the homeless
Location: Where to find a copy
Contact: homelesscolumbia@gmail.com
Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter
Services: Housing and care for abused and neglected children + unaccompanied teens
Hours: Open 24/7; Call 803-786-6819 for inquiries
Location: P.O. Box 3395, Columbia, S.C. 29230
Contact: director@palmettoplaceshelter.org
Services: Various services including a food bank, clothing bank and crisis assistance + support
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 3821 W Beltline Blvd.
Contact: 803-799-3853
Services: Healthcare + other medical services to residents who cannot afford medical/hospital bills or do not have insurance
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m-5 p.m.; Fri., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: 1875 Harden St.
Contact: 803-765-1503
Services: Emergency shelter, recovery program + much more
Hours: Open 24/7
Location: 1100 Taylor St.
Contact: 803-254-6470
Services: Shelter for women and children
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 1726 Sumter St.
Contact: 803-771-4357
Services: Emergency shelter for families + program to help them get back on their feet
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 2400 Waites Rd.
Contact: 803-256-3999
Services: Food, clothing, showers + laundry facility
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 8-10 a.m.
Location: 2401 Main St.
Contact: 803-765-1998
Services: Providing lunch on weekdays
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: 1401 Washington St.
Contact: 803-256-2417
Zarephath Life & Dream Global Center
Services: Day center, food, life + work skills counseling
Location: 1823 Gregg St.
Contact: 803-212-7056 or 803-443-2160 for services
MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.)
Services: Services for those recovering from severe mental illness and/or emotional disorders, including financial management, housing, homeless outreach + more
Location: P.O. Box 4246 Columbia, S.C. 29240
Contact: 803-786-1844 or mail@mirci.org
Services: Serves youth 17-24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
Location: 1433 Gregg Street, Columbia, S.C.
Hours: M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and weekends + holidays 12-6pm.
Contact: (803) 799-0331
Stepping Stone Ministry halfway house
Services: Stepping Stone Ministry is a non-profit organization, known locally for their thrift store, that focuses on the wellbeing of those recovering from addiction. They offer halfway housing for residents seeking a better way of life.
Location: 1916 Augusta Rd.
Contact: 803-794-1786
Services: Stepping Stone offers a halfway house specifically for women, and includes Bible studies, morning devotions, weekly services, AA and NA meetings. For more information, including how to apply for housing, click here.
Location: 1916 Augusta Rd.
Contact: 803-794-1786
Services: Residential, in-house recovery and rehabilitation for recovering alcoholic men.
Location: 764 Meeting St.
Contact: 803-791-0557
Services: Self-run recovery homes for those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction.
Location: 2304 Hertford Dr.
Contact: 803-772-7010
Services: Safe, drug free, transitional housing for men in recovery.
Location: 140 Flora Drive
Contact: 803-221-2823
Services: Affordable lease-to-own housing for those who don’t have great credit.
Location: 16 Berryhill Rd.
Contact: 888-466-7932
William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Services: Offering medical services, supportive housing, and other opportunities to veterans.
Location: 6439 Garners Ferry Rd.
Contact: 803-776-4000
Services: Transitional housing for homeless veterans and newly released inmates.
Location: 232 Lancer Dr.
Contact: 803-404-9085
Services: Residential rehabilitation center for men dealing with addiction.
Location: 1156 Barr Rd.
Contact: 803-951-2197, 803-951-2273
City of Columbia Police Department | (803) 545-3500
Richland County EMS | 911
Additional guides for services across the Midlands
- Richland Library’s Emergency Services Guide
- Homeless Shelter Directory in Richland County
- Soup kitchens + shelters in Richland County
- Richland County South Carolina assistance programs
- DrugRehab.com
Printable guides (click title to download)
- Local Shelter List
- Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Community Resource Guide – Dorn VA
- MIRCI Youth Drop In Service Guide
- Youth Resource Guide by Transitions
- Community Resource Manual by Transitions
- MACH Emergency Services
One of the simplest ways to help the homeless is to keep what I’ve heard most people call “blessing bags” in your car at all times. The bags are usually large Ziploc bags with basic hygiene necessities, protein bars, first aid kits + maybe even a clean t-shirt. With winter temperatures rolling in, it’s also helpful to have extra scarves, gloves + blankets on hand.
