Our speaker Wednesday was Michael King of King One Properties International. Michael spoke about a project to create a “safe house” for abused and battered women and their children. Many locals do not know that the CASA agency morphed some years ago into a homeless relief agency – New Directions. This is an important cause also, but the agency can’t meet both types of clientele – the “homeless” and abused women and their children.
South Carolina ranks as the 6th highest or worst in terms of domestic violence in the US. Horry County is “No. 1” in the state or worst in terms of this social epidemic. Currently, there is a 9-bed facility in Georgetown, SC that doesn’t begin to meet the need for Georgetown and Horry counties. The Family Justice Center is the non-profit spearheading this project to build, and then operate, a 24 bed center in Horry County. $500,000 has been raised to date and the property is likely to be donated. The FJC is receiving $50,000 from the Myrtle Beach Women’s Club and another $50,000 from the North Myrtle Beach Women’s Club.
On October 17th, there will be a major fundraiser at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. It will be a Country Music Festival which has already secured some major sponsors and performers. Once the center is built it will require $500,000 in annual operating funds.
Suggestions were made to involve the sororities and fraternities at CCU, Horry County 911 and other business and civic groups in this community effort.
