As a founding member of the South Carolina Elder Justice Network, SCLS proudly announces that the Network was honored with the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation Director’s Community Leadership Award.

On an annual basis, each FBI area of responsibility nominates worthy candidates who have worked collaboratively with the local FBI office in furthering the overall mission and goals of the Bureau. FBI Columbia Field Office Special Agent in Charge, Kevin Moore, presented the award to members of the Elder Justice Network in a special ceremony on November 19.

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We proudly unveiled the South Carolina Legal Services Justice Van at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon at the Florence Center!

This mobile legal unit—made possible by a generous grant from the Nemec-Abbott Foundation—will bring free civil legal services directly to rural communities in Florence and Darlington Counties.

From housing and family law issues to consumer protection and public benefits, the Justice Van is ready to roll, helping us bridge the access-to-justice gap in areas where legal help is needed most.

Thank you to the Chamber, Mike and Charlie Abbott, and SCLS Board member Frances A. James-Davis, who helped us celebrate this exciting milestone!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Nemec-Abbott Foundation, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our Justice Van. The van will deliver free civil legal aid directly to Florence and Darlington County residents confronting transportation barriers. A ribbon-cutting event will immediately follow the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce 2025 Annual Membership Luncheon on September 24, 2025.

Founded in October 2022 by Kerstin and Mike Abbott, the Nemec-Abbott Foundation supports community-focused initiatives that deliver measurable impact, especially in education, poverty relief, and overlooked needs throughout Florence and Darlington counties. The Foundation funded the purchase and upfitting of a mobile legal services vehicle for SCLS, directly supporting outreach into hard-to-reach, high-poverty areas.

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To Our South Carolina Family,

Just over a week ago, Hurricane Helene ripped through our western and upstate counties, leaving devastation and destruction rivaling that of 1989’s Hurricane Hugo. Hurricane Helene has left families grappling with loss of shelter, food, water, and basic utilities. Worst, our thoughts and prayers extend to many South Carolinians grieving deep, personal losses which they cannot and will not recover.

Low-income people face deprivation and hardship as a constant in their everyday lives but are disproportionately impacted when disaster strikes. South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS), the statewide law firm dedicated to providing free civil legal services to low-income South Carolinians, stands ready, with the experience and commitment, to help low-income individuals and families rebuild from this disaster. With the support of our cross-sector collaborators and referral partners, we are prepared to help where our experience tells us low-income families will need us the most, such as with:

· Obtaining copies of important documents such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and social security cards to apply for or restore public benefits; · Securing safe, adequate housing;

· Ensuring protections from fraud, contractor scams, and price gouging as they seek to repair, rebuild, and replace damaged property;

· Assisting with FEMA applications and appeals, SNAP benefits, and unemployment benefits (including disaster unemployment assistance); and

· Seeking protection from domestic violence as stressful circumstances are a leading factor to increased abuse.

SCLS is deeply networked in our low-income communities and has the experience ensuring access to justice for people who face barriers to services and information. We are ready to serve our affected communities!

Visit our disaster relief resource page for more information: Legal Information - Disaster Relief - Recovery - Disaster Relief | LawHelp.org/SC - Free and low cost legal aid, assistance and services guide for South Carolina!

Public Benefits: We are prepared to assist individuals and families through the legal process by appealing denials of applications for public benefits, such as SNAP and unemployment.

FEMA Applications and Appeals: As of this communication,16 SC counties have been designated as disaster areas by FEMA. Designated Areas | FEMA.gov SCLS partners with community providers to assist in applying for FEMA benefits. We will also assist clients to overcome obstacles to approval, including filing appeals.

Housing Stability: Our attorneys are well-versed in landlord tenant issues and other housing displacement matters. We will also provide support to homeowners facing property damage issues and disputes with their insurance or mortgage company.

Fraud Support: Unfortunately, scammers see disasters as an opportunity to prey upon vulnerable communities. Our consumer protection attorneys and support staff are ready to help victims of fraud, particularly substandard housing repair after a disaster.

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SOUTH CAROLINA LEGAL SERVICES CANNOT DO THIS ALONE – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Donate - South Carolina Legal Services is a non-profit tax-exempt IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization; Tax ID #57-0485205. No goods or services are received for your donation. Your donation is appreciated and will help bring stability to those most deeply affected by Hurricane Helene. Donate Now - South Carolina Legal Services (sclegal.org)

Attorneys – The need is great, but our resources are limited. Join the list of pro bono and private attorney involvement (PAI) to collaborate with us on serving our most vulnerable communities. Please contact Betsy Goodale, Director of Private Attorney and Community Engagement, at betsygoodale@sclegal.org.

We are here to help!
CONTACT US:

1-888-346-5592
Complete our online application at: Contact Us - South Carolina Legal Services (sclegal.org)

South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) is excited to announce that Shunna Vance Jeter has joined the non-profit law firm as its new Executive Director. With a legal practice and executive leadership background characterized by a deep dedication to social justice and community empowerment, Ms. Jeter is poised to lead SCLS in its mission to provide vital legal services to low-income South Carolinians while supporting South Carolina’s economically disadvantaged communities.

Before her appointment at SCLS, Ms. Jeter made significant strides as the Chief Executive Officer of GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission, a community action agency dedicated to helping low-income individuals and families gain and maintain self-sufficiency. There, she managed agency operations, formulated and enforced policies, supervised personnel decisions, and safeguarded financial stability. Her leadership effectively coordinated a team of over 450 employees across 14 counties, administered a substantial budget, and tirelessly advocated for the needs of low-income families and communities.

The SCLS Board of Directors, chaired by Charles Boykin, is enthusiastic about Ms. Jeter's leadership capacity. Boykin affirms, "Shunna Jeter combines a strong legal and executive background with a profound commitment to justice and community service, making her supremely qualified to navigate SCLS into a promising future.”

Ms. Jeter’s previous legal career is notable for handling complex legal issues, providing strategic counseling, and leading initiatives to strengthen community support systems. Her outstanding service has been recognized with several honors, including being named the South Carolina Community Action Program Administrator and Executive Director of the Year.

Andrea E. Loney, whom Ms. Jeter succeeds, expresses her complete confidence in Jeter’s ability to lead: “I am confident that with Ms. Jeter at the forefront, SCLS will enhance its efforts to expand access to justice for the low-income residents of South Carolina and ensure that our most vulnerable have the legal representation they deserve.”

Ms. Jeter holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In addition to her professional achievements, she is actively involved in her community, participating on various advisory boards and supporting initiatives to uplift underrepresented groups. 

Ms. Jeter expresses, “I am honored to serve in the prestigious role of Executive Director of SCLS. Building upon the incredible legacy of Ms. Andrea Loney, I am excited to partner with the SCLS Board of Directors, staff, and community to continue the invaluable work of ensuring access to justice for all South Carolinians."