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Pee Dee Coalition Celebrates Addition at New Beginnings Center
Story by Brandi Dixon
Making the community safer and more compassionate is at the heart of the mission of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Since 1986, the nonprofit’s efforts have saved and changed many lives in 8 counties in the Pee Dee region.
Thanks to a recent addition to its New Beginnings Transitional Shelter, Janice Hamlin, the facility’s director, says the coalition can now do even more to counteract abuse and increase compassion and education in Marlboro County.
Hamlin credits the support of state Rep. Pat Henegan for helping PDC expand the shelter for women and children escaping abusive homes. Completed in April and named Pat’s Place, in honor of the legislator, the upgrade gives residents more space and accessibility.
“The expansion project provided our residents with a beautiful, spacious laundry facility featuring 3 washers, 3 dryers, a folding table, cabinets, air conditioning, and a smart TV,” she says.
Encouraging Community Support
A longtime financial contributor to PDC, Sandhill Telephone Cooperative aims to support survivors across the region and encourages the community to join the cause.
“Sandhill’s support means so much to the Pee Dee Coalition, especially the transitional shelter, New Beginnings, because it reflects a deep commitment to the safety, healing, and empowerment of survivors in our community,” Hamlin says. “Their consistent partnership strengthens our ability to provide critical services, expand resources, and ensure that women, children, and families have a safe place to turn in times of crisis.”
With the backing of Sandhill and other community supporters, the members of the Pee Dee Coalition are assured they have caring partners who believe in the dignity and future of every person they serve, Hamlin says. “We’re grateful to stand together in this life-changing work.”
As PDC works to create safer communities and meet the needs of victims and their families with its new space, the demand for volunteers is growing.
“1 of our greatest needs right now is child-care assistance,” Hamlin says. “Many of the women we serve want to work and rebuild their independence, but access to child care in Marlboro County is very limited. Most centers are full and have long waiting lists.”
Volunteers are needed to help provide safe, reliable child care, as well as transportation, which can make a tremendous difference by giving women the opportunity to pursue employment.
Additionally, Hamlin says recent federal budget cuts are significantly affecting nonprofits nationwide, including the Pee Dee Coalition.
“Our New Beginnings Transitional Shelter, which relies solely on Victims of Crime Act funding, has felt these cuts most directly in its day-to-day operations,” she says. “To keep serving women and children in crisis, we are seeking community sponsors to help offset essential costs such as lawn care, utilities, trash removal, and critical repairs to items like refrigerators, stoves, and roofing.”