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A Place to Call Home Celebrates One Year of Impact

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:30:42 GMT

What One Year Made Possible.

One year in, and we have learned a lot about what it takes to move from intention to action.

A Place to Call Home was created with a clear belief. Homelessness in Spartanburg County is solvable when we work together across systems, show up consistently, and center people in the process. This community has always cared deeply about this issue. What is shifting is how we approach it. What got us here will not get us there.

Over the past year, that belief has been tested, stretched, and strengthened.

We are keeping our focus on what is possible. If this is an issue created by systems, it is an issue we can solve. Our goal is a community where homelessness is brief, rare, and non-recurring.

This year, we focused on seven initial priority areas to build the foundation for a coordinated, community-wide response to housing instability and homelessness. Over the past year, we have made progress on each of these initiatives.

We began strengthening how information is shared across partners, creating a more connected and coordinated response. What was previously a case conferencing model has been reworked into the Situation Table, allowing partners to come together weekly to respond to individuals experiencing acutely elevated risk in a more immediate and actionable way.

For families, A Way Home launched as the only family shelter within a 50 mile radius of Spartanburg at the time of its opening, providing low-barrier shelter through a rotating model while connecting families to longer-term housing.

BridgeWay Village has moved from concept to near completion, with programming already underway as we prepare for full opening. At the same time, we expanded staff capacity from a small team to nine, allowing for more consistent coordination across this work. We also established a clear structure through a Leadership Team and Community Advisory Council, creating shared ownership across the community.

That growth has made it possible to build and expand programs across the full housing continuum, including prevention, service, and housing.

Through A Way Home, 18 families were sheltered, providing stability during a critical moment. Through Opening Doors and BridgeWay, 36 households moved into housing with ongoing case management to help those placements last. At the same time, Prevention Assistance helped 25 households maintain their housing and avoid entering homelessness.

Our HEART team continues to meet people where they are, building relationships over time and connecting individuals to resources. The Situation Table supported 42 individuals experiencing acutely elevated risk by bringing together partners across sectors to respond quickly and collaboratively.

We also saw impact through Homeless Court, with 35 participants working through legal barriers that often stand in the way of housing and employment. Through Litter Heroes, 15 individuals graduated from the program, gaining income, experience, and a pathway forward.

None of this happens in isolation. This year included 109 active partnerships, over 360 thousand dollars in in-kind volunteer hours, and 3.5 million dollars raised to support this work. Together, those efforts contributed to a 20 percent increase in shelter and housing options across the community.

Most importantly, 132 people exited homelessness, and 578 households, representing 1,066 individuals, were served through APTCH programs and partnerships.

The numbers matter, but they do not tell the full story.

What It Looks Like in Practice

Over the past year, one of our neighbors, who we will call James, moved into permanent housing after more than 20 years of living on the streets in downtown Spartanburg. He has now been stably housed since Thanksgiving.

James had been offered housing before. He had stayed in hotels at different points, but each time he returned to the streets. What we have learned is that housing alone is not always enough, especially without trust, consistency, and a sense of belonging.

This time, the approach was different.

Instead of moving directly into a permanent unit, we worked with James to try a temporary apartment placement. It took time. Two different locations did not work before we found a space where he felt safe and could see himself staying. Once he did, something shifted. He settled in, spent more time inside, and began to build a routine.

With support from a local housing partner, we were able to secure a permanent unit for him just down the hall. That transition has now happened, and he remains housed.

James shared that he grew up in the Northside and that some of his best memories are from that part of the community. Being able to return there has made this transition feel like more than housing. It feels like a homecoming.

Throughout this process, APTCH staff worked with him consistently. That included getting him to doctor’s appointments, helping him access groceries, and making sure he had the supplies he needed to take care of his space. His SNAP benefits were reinstated so he can now purchase his own food, and the process for disability income has begun. That process will take time. In the meantime, rent is being covered through grant funding to ensure stability.

This effort did not belong to one person or one program. Every APTCH staff member contributed, along with multiple partner agencies and City departments, working together to respond to his needs.

It is a clear example of what coordinated, persistent, trust-based work can look like and what becomes possible when we take the time to get it right.

This experience reinforced something we see often. This work takes time, but it does not have to take 20 years.

It also reinforces something simple. Dignity matters.

Several years ago, when people living on the streets were asked what they wanted to be called, the answer was clear. They wanted to be called homeless because they did not want just a house. They wanted a home.

That belief is the foundation of A Place to Call Home. It shapes how we show up, how we design programs, and how we define success.

Looking Ahead

This first year has been about building programs, partnerships, trust, and capacity. We have made meaningful progress, but we are still early in the work.

What we know now is that when systems align, people stay at the table, and we remain focused on both immediate needs and long-term change, progress is possible.

We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this first year, and we are continuing forward together in building a community where everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.

2026 Spartanburg County Housing Summit

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:58:43 GMT

"The solution is in the room with us"

The 2026 Spartanburg County Housing Summit brought together community leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and partners for a day of learning, connection, and shared commitment to addressing housing and homelessness in our community. Through data, lived experiences, and rich conversation, the day explored both the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead. Grounded in the idea that “the solution is in the room,” the Summit created space for collaboration and collective action as we continue working toward a Spartanburg where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.

Honoring Dr. King Through Service: Decorating Bridgeway Village

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:04:43 GMT

Volunteers Come Together to Create Welcoming Spaces at Bridgeway Village

Each year, United Way of the Piedmont coordinates hundreds of volunteers to participate in a “day on, not a day off,” honoring Dr. King’s legacy of service and commitment to community. This MLK Day of Service, A Place to Call Home was grateful to welcome more than 25 volunteers who chose to spend the day giving back at Bridgeway Village.

Volunteers were invited to get creative by making artwork that future residents will be able to choose from as they move into their new homes. Creating a space where families and single women can move from crisis to stability, and that work begins with a warm and welcoming environment. Offering residents the opportunity to “shop” for community-made artwork builds dignity into the move-in process and allows individuals to create a space that truly feels like their own, a place they want to spend time in as they begin their next chapter.

Recapping Homelessness Awareness Month

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:10:54 GMT

A Place to Call Home Honors Homelessness Awareness Month

November was a powerful month for reflection and action as A Place to Call Home marked Homelessness Awareness Month. We hosted two volunteer opportunities for Bridgeway Village, giving community members hands-on ways to help prepare Bridgeway Village for residents. We also held a Community Conversation focused on understanding homelessness in Spartanburg County through data. The month culminated with our annual Awareness Vigil, which welcomed over 70 participants for a shared meal sponsored by Warriors Once Again and offered a moment to honor those experiencing homelessness while reaffirming our collective commitment to this work.

Partnerships Are Creating Possibility in Spartanburg

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:16:43 GMT

Bridgeway Village Resumes!

Exciting progress is happening at Bridgeway Village, Spartanburg’s first tiny home community for women and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Construction has officially restarted after the property transitioned from First Baptist Spartanburg to Homes of Hope, marking a major milestone in this innovative collaboration. Each partner in this collaboration plays a distinct and vital role in bringing Bridgeway Village to life. First Baptist Spartanburg initiated the project and invested $1.6 million to get the homes “in the dry,” ensuring the foundation for future progress. The City of Spartanburg is funding the remaining construction, helping complete the vision of creating safe, sustainable housing for women and families. Homes of Hope now owns Bridgeway Village, following First Baptist’s generous donation of the property, and will oversee the development and maintenance of the site. A Place to Call Home will lease the property from Homes of Hope and manage all day-to-day operations, including the programmatic and wraparound service components. This model demonstrates the strength of collective action and cross-sector collaboration.

Bridgeway Village will feature 18 tiny homes, nine one-bedroom cottages for single adult women, and nine two-bedroom cottages for families of up to four people. Residents will participate in individualized plans that include housing navigation, life-skills coaching, benefits access, emotional support, financial education, and job training. Accountability measures such as employment, savings, and regular case-management check-ins are built in to help residents sustain progress toward permanent housing.

This project underscores the power of partnership and collaboration. As Hannah Jarrett, Director of A Place to Call Home, emphasizes:

“No single organization can solve homelessness alone. Bridgeway Village represents what’s possible when partners come together to address a critical gap in our community’s housing continuum. This partnership is about more than building homes—it’s about creating stability and opportunity for women and families who have been left without many options. Together, we’re addressing urgent needs with long-term solutions.”

Homes of Hope President and CEO Don Oglesby adds:

“We are super excited about this new project and our new partners. Transformation comes in many forms, and this project represents one that we believe will prove incredibly impactful.”

Deputy City Manager Mitch Kennedy highlights the city’s role:

“Bridgeway Village is an amazing example of community partners coming together to creatively address a critical need in Spartanburg. We are proud to be a part of this innovative solution to assist some of our city’s most vulnerable and underserved residents.”

First Baptist Spartanburg also shared their enthusiasm:

“First Baptist loves Spartanburg. We are grateful for the generosity of the FBS church family in donating these homes and for A Place to Call Home and Homes of Hope for opening and operating Bridgeway Village. As a faith community we desire that everyone would have a personal relationship with God and experience personal and spiritual transformation. We are looking forward to hearing many stories of lives that are renewed and changed through this partnership.” — Dr. Mike Harder, Senior Pastor

Bridgeway Village was designed with intentionality to serve women and small families because the need is both urgent and profound. In 2023, more than 13,700 children in South Carolina experienced homelessness, including 1,118 in Spartanburg County alone. Despite the scale of this issue, resources for women and families remain extremely limited. Spartanburg has very few emergency shelter beds available for women and essentially none dedicated to children. Many existing housing and shelter programs are not equipped to serve women with children, leaving families with few options for safe, stable housing. At the same time, 84% of single mothers in Spartanburg County live below the ALICE threshold, meaning they cannot afford basic necessities such as housing, childcare, transportation, and food. Bridgeway Village addresses this critical gap by creating a place where women and small families can remain together while accessing the stability, services, and support needed to rebuild their lives.

Construction is moving forward, and Bridgeway Village is expected to open in March of 2026. From the very beginning, community members have played an important role in bringing this project to life. Volunteers have helped organize and relocate donations to prepare the site for future residents, with another volunteer day planned for early November to take inventory and ready the units for outfitting. This hands-on participation reflects the shared commitment that has driven Bridgeway Village from the start and demonstrates how collaboration between nonprofits, faith communities, public agencies, and residents can create real solutions to homelessness in Spartanburg.

If you would like to learn more about Bridgeway Village, please reach out to Deandra Comer at dcomer@aptchspartanburg.org

Spartanburg to Launch First-in-the-State Situation Table to Address Community Safety and Well-Being

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:39:03 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – On September 6 th and 7 th , over 50 local leaders, service providers, and public safety professionals gathered at the AC Hotel on West Main Street to participate in a transformative two-day Situation Table training. Delivered by instructors Walter “Larry” Sweeney and Maureen Cavanagh from Cordata’s Operation Save Lives (O2SL) and QRT National, the training is part of an effort to tackle the opioid epidemic impacting South Carolina using an innovative approach of enhancing community safety and health outcomes.

The Situation Table is a rapid-response, multidisciplinary intervention model designed to address individuals and families facing acutely elevated risk (AER) . Originally launched in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in 2011 by the Global Network for Community Safety , the model has since expanded to over 160 sites across Canada and more than 30 sites in the United States. Spartanburg is now the first South Carolina community to implement a Situation Table, paving the way for other communities in the state.

The Spartanburg Situation Table was launched by A Place to Call Home’s Community Advisory Council as part of its commitment to cross-agency collaboration — a key priority identified through community listening and planning efforts.

“Through last year’s community conversations, we identified urgent priorities — and over the past several months, we’ve been turning those priorities into action,” said Hannah Jarrett, founding director of A Place to Call Home. “By strengthening coordination through the Situation Table model, we’re uniting partners to help people move from crisis to stability more efficiently.”

Local champion Lilly Simmons , Project Coordinator for A Place to Call Home, was instrumental in organizing and facilitating the training. Participants represented a diverse group of over 50 local leaders, representing almost 30 agencies.

The training incorporated mock scenarios , risk intervention planning, and collaborative problem-solving exercises, helping participants understand the fidelity and structure of the table model. One participant noted,

“It’s such a relief to finally have a clear structure for working together to prevent harm and respond to crises quickly. In Spartanburg, we’ve been trying to do this for years in different ways, but it’s been a struggle. The Situation Table model feels like the answer we’ve been looking for — it addresses so many of the challenges we’ve faced in the past when we’ve attempted to work together and gives me real hope that we can make a bigger impact.”

The Spartanburg Situation Table is set to officially launch on Thursday, September 18 , with a mission to break down silos among service providers and ensure individuals and families receive timely, wraparound support before crises escalate. “We were thrilled to bring the Situation Table model to South Carolina and congratulate the Spartanburg Situation Table on its launch. We look forward to seeing the value and support that this collaboration will bring to the Spartanburg area,” Sweeney said. “We are grateful to the participants for their engagement and enthusiasm and thank A Place to Call Home’s Community Advisory Council for coordinating the training.”

“The Situation Table model helps bring our community vision to life — a Spartanburg County where homelessness is recognized as a solvable problem,” said Jarrett. “It gives us a shared structure to collaborate quickly and effectively, so we can respond to crises and create meaningful, lasting impact together.”

For more information about the Situation Table or to bring one to your community, please contact:

Scott Allen – scott.allen@cordatahealth.com
Mike Botieri – mike.botieri@cordatahealth.com
Dan Meloy – dan.meloy@cordatahealth.com

Cordata Homepage

Home – Cordata’s O2Sl & QRT National

The Global Network for Community Safety

A Place to Call Home - Scenes from the official ribbon cutting ceremony

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:49:04 GMT

A Place to Call Home Celebrates Official Ribbon Cutting in Spartanburg

A Place to Call Home officially opened its Spartanburg offices with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event brought together city leaders, community partners, and supporters who share in the mission of addressing homelessness and providing pathways to stability. The celebration marked not only the opening of a new space, but also a renewed commitment to serving the Spartanburg community with compassion and collaboration.

Urgency and Compassion: Treating Homelessness Like the Crisis It Is

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:32:57 GMT

Urgency and Compassion: Treating Homelessness Like the Crisis It Is

At A Place to Call Home, we envision a Spartanburg County where homelessness is recognized as a solvable problem, and where everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.

When I share this vision, I’m often asked: “Do you really believe homelessness can be solved?”

My answer is an emphatic yes. That confidence comes from two key truths.

First, homelessness is a problem we created—and so it’s a problem we can solve.

Homelessness is not an accident—it’s the direct result of policy decisions, economic inequality, and social systems that have fallen short over decades, especially through the steady decline in affordable housing investment. Restrictive zoning laws, soaring housing costs, and gaps in essential social services create barriers that push too many families and individuals into instability. These are challenges we have created—and that means we have the power to solve them. The solutions won’t be simple, but they are possible—if we act with urgency, strategy, and compassion.

We’ve established five guiding philosophies to ensure our approach is thoughtful, comprehensive, and truly capable of solving homelessness:

Homelessness is complex.
People experience homelessness for a variety of reasons—including mental health challenges, domestic violence, job loss, unaffordable rent, and substance use, among others. There is no single fix; we need many solutions working together.
Housing is a basic human right.
Everyone deserves dignity, respect, and a safe home. Stable housing supports health, education, employment, and community connection. Without it, everything else becomes harder.
We must build a full continuum of support.
Ending homelessness means more than providing shelter. We need systems that prevent homelessness before it starts, assist people in crisis, and support long-term housing stability. This includes eviction prevention, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and wraparound services.
Balance immediate relief with long-term change.
While emergency aid meets urgent needs, it’s not the full answer. We must invest in affordable housing, mental health care, livable wages, and better-coordinated services to address root causes.
Collaboration is essential.
No one group can solve this alone. Progress requires nonprofits, public agencies, healthcare, law enforcement, business leaders, faith communities, and those with lived experience to come together and act as one.

Second, we’ve done this before—we just need to treat homelessness like the urgent crisis it is.

When a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene hit Spartanburg County, our community acted swiftly—cutting through red tape, aligning resources, and helping neighbors without hesitancy. We must bring this same urgency to homelessness.

The data is clear:

Over 3,000 people in Spartanburg County experience housing instability.
In 2023, 1,118 children were identified as homeless in our schools—a 13% increase in one year.
Adults aged 55 to 64 are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness in South Carolina, many facing housing insecurity after decades of work.
Nearly 1 in 4 local households live below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold—struggling to meet basic needs despite working full-time.
Eviction rates remain among the highest in the state in parts of Spartanburg County, fueling cycles of trauma and displacement.

These numbers are warnings of a housing system under strain—and a call to action we must answer.

Our Approach: Prevent. Serve. House.

At A Place to Call Home, we focus on three clear goals to solve homelessness: prevent it before it starts, support people in crisis, and provide safe, stable housing.

Preventing Homelessness

The most effective way to reduce homelessness is stopping it early—by fixing system gaps and removing barriers.

We’re exploring Housing Court models that make eviction processes clearer, faster, and fairer for landlords and tenants—helping everyone understand their rights and options and reducing unnecessary displacement.
Working with Strategic Spartanburg and through national partnerships, we’re improving tenant screening and landlord-tenant policies to create a more consistent, equitable housing system. This long-term effort tackles the policies and inequities at the root of housing instability.
Since steady jobs and income are key to keeping a home, our Litter Heroes Workforce Reentry program offers transitional jobs and skills training for people experiencing homelessness. We also partner with the City of Spartanburg to address barriers like transportation, childcare, and training that often stand in the way of housing stability.

Supporting People in Crisis

When people face homelessness or immediate risk, quick, coordinated help can change lives. We aim to make homelessness brief, rare, and nonrecurring.

The Situation Table connects agencies to respond rapidly to individuals and families in immediate danger—ensuring timely, appropriate support.
Homeless Court helps people resolve minor legal issues while supporting their progress toward housing, employment, and recovery. It acknowledges homelessness as a result of systemic failures—not personal faults—and works to avoid criminalizing those affected.
The Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART) meets people on the streets to build trust and link them with shelter, healthcare, and housing services—providing urgent care that complements longer-term solutions.
Through the Wellbeing Care Community, partner agencies will be able to share data and coordinate services, creating smoother, more effective support for those with complex needs.

Providing Safe, Stable Housing

A stable home is the foundation for health, opportunity, and dignity. We offer a range of housing solutions designed to help people move from crisis to lasting stability:

A Way Home provides emergency shelter and intensive support to families, in partnership with the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty, giving children and their caregivers a critical fresh start.
Bridgeway Village, currently in development, will offer transitional housing for women and families, supported by partners including First Baptist Spartanburg and Homes of Hope.
Our Opening Doors program provides rapid re-housing assistance, helping individuals quickly move from homelessness into permanent housing with the support they need to stay housed.

Every program we offer is part of our belief that homelessness is solvable when we act together with urgency and compassion. By preventing homelessness, responding swiftly to crises, and ensuring access to safe housing, we’re building a community where everyone has more than just shelter—they have a true place to call home.

Know Someone Struggling with Homelessness or Housing Instability? Connect with HEART

HEART (Homeless Engagement and Response Team) is a collaborative initiative led by A Place to Call Home, focused on connecting people experiencing homelessness with the resources, services, and support they need. Whether someone is in crisis or simply navigating housing challenges, HEART is here to help.

The HEART team includes two full-time Community Resource Coordinators—April Nations and Steven Greer—who conduct outreach, build trusted relationships, and connect individuals to vital services. They work closely with service providers, law enforcement, and other community partners to coordinate care and ensure that no one falls through the cracks. Over the past twelve months, April and Steven have engaged with 543 individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability in our community. Through their efforts, people have been connected to housing, healthcare, ID recovery, substance use treatment, employment support, and more.

How to Connect:
If you or someone you know needs support, contact HEART at heart@cityofspartanburg.org or call 864-591-4417. Please leave a voicemail if calling—our team is on-call Monday through Friday and will respond within one business day. Referrals are welcome from individuals, organizations, businesses, and community members.

Originally published by Strategic Spartanburg at: https://www.strategicspartanburg.org/our-dialogue-discourse/a-place-to-call-home

Hannah Jarrett named Director of countywide homelessness effort, 'A Place to Call Home'

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:32:58 GMT

Hannah Jarrett named Director of countywide homelessness effort, 'A Place to Call Home

A Place to Call Home , an effort spearheaded by multiple community partners to address homelessness and housing instability in Spartanburg County, will be led by Hannah Jarrett. As Director of A Place to Call Home , Jarrett will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, developing and executing effective strategies and leading efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness countywide.

Launched by a collaborative group—City of Spartanburg, OneSpartanburg Inc., Spartanburg County, Spartanburg Housing, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, United Way of the Piedmont, The Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty— A Place to Call Home focuses on a continuum of support to prevent homelessness, serve those experiencing homelessness, and expand access to affordable housing.

The collaborative envisions a Spartanburg where homelessness is recognized as a solvable problem and where everyone has a safe, secure place to call home. The initiative centers on a comprehensive continuum of care to address homelessness, including prevention, serving those who are currently homeless, and emphasizing housing as the ultimate solution. A Place to Call Home is led by a Steering Committee representing a wide array of community partners—nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, healthcare, schools, and those with lived experience in the issue. As Director, Jarrett will assume leadership of ongoing homelessness efforts currently managed within the City of Spartanburg, building capacity to expand those efforts countywide. Jarrett will report to the A Place to Call Home leadership team, composed of representatives from the founding partners.

Jarrett comes to A Place to Call Home after nearly 12 years with United Way of the Piedmont beginning as an AmeriCorps VISTA and going on to advance through leadership roles that included developing economic mobility strategies, managing over $4 million in grant funding, and creating community-wide initiatives aligned with measurable goals. In her most recent role as Vice President of Community and Collective Impact, Hannah led initiatives focused on Education, Economic Mobility, and Health. She oversaw a $1.5 million annual nonprofit investment portfolio, coordinated the placement of more than 40 AmeriCorps members, and managed programs aimed at addressing homelessness, behavioral health, and financial stability. “I am tremendously grateful to the A Place to Call Home leadership team for the opportunity to serve the Spartanburg community in this role and excited to begin this new phase of the critical work undertaken by so many community partners to address the issue of homelessness in our county," Jarret shared.

“I believe I speak for many in our community when I voice my excitement about the leadership, capacity, vision, and strategy that Hannah Jarrett brings to this role. We’re fortunate to have her seek this opportunity at this very critical moment in our community!”

- Mitch Kennedy, Deputy City Manager, City of Spartanburg

“Hannah Jarrett has been a valued member of the United Way team for over 12 years, and as sad as we are for her to no longer be a part of our organizational leadership, we are thrilled to continue working closely with her as the founding director of this initiative. Having helped develop, shepherd, and now bring this program to life, it is only fitting that Hannah takes the lead in guiding its future.”

- Paige Stephenson, President and CEO, United Way of the Piedmont

“Having worked alongside Hannah in various capacities for more than a decade, I can confidently say there is no one more dedicated to addressing homelessness in our community. She was a founding member of the Homeless Taskforce in 2018 and brings not only a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding homelessness and housing in Spartanburg County, but also the drive to identify and implement long-term solutions.”

- Carey Rothschild, System Director Community Health Policy & Strategy, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

originally published on the City of Spartanburg website at: https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=83