Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Our Lady of Mercy builds better communities through ‘boots on the ground’ service

By Jenna-Ley Walls

Meeting community needs through acts of loving service has been the long-held mission of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach. The compassionate organization has been committed to changing lives and bettering the community one person at a time.

Whether facing financial hardship, seeking career training, or in need of dental or prenatal care, among other needs, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services (OLMCOS) has the resources and heart to extend a helping hand.

“We get to see grace and gratitude on a daily basis,” said Jonna Palmer, Director of Advancement. “Every day we come to work, we have the opportunity to help one of our neighbors thrive in a way that may have been impossible for them before.”

The nonprofit currently operates two locations, including its Outreach Center on Johns Island, which serves coastal communities in James and Wadmalaw Islands, and Edisto Island, as well as residents in Adams Run, Meggett, Ravenel, Hollywood and portions of West Ashley. A second campus is situated within Charleston’s Eastside Community. Dubbed the “Neighborhood House,” this location assists those in the downtown Charleston region and other segments of West Ashley.

While the Sisters of Charity of our Lady of Mercy officially established the organization’s Johns Island location just two weeks prior to Hurricane Hugo’s devastating direct hit on the Lowcountry in 1989, team members with the initiative were already serving in the Sea Island community prior to the storm.

With a focus on core values like compassion, inclusiveness, dignity, empowerment and integrity, those in need can rest assured OLMCOS will not only meet their needs, but do so in a manner of love and respect.

“To be part of a mission where we can make significant impacts in someone’s life every day is what drew me here,” Palmer said.

Palmer encourages others to follow suit and see for themselves the often-immediate rewarding fruits of their selfless labor.

“Whether you donate or volunteer, every time you walk into our building you will see the impact of what we do as a community,” she said. “We are neighbors helping neighbors in whatever way we can—time, money or using your voice to help advocate for the services we provide.”

With a solid staff of 23 members and a volunteer pool of around 200 people, it’s evident that it takes a united front of like-minded people for OLMCOS to continue its successful operation.

“It is our calling to be a part of collaborative solutions so that everyone in our community can thrive,” Palmer said. “Together we make a strong community by helping lift everyone up.”

The types of services Our Lady of Mercy extends to the public are vast and varied. From job mentoring and wellness care, including OB/GYN and dental services, to youth financial literacy programs, rent and mortgage assistance, a soup kitchen and clothing closet, there’s no shortage of aid available.

“We believe in community first. We assist our neighbors in need, helping them achieve their desired path to success,” Palmer said. “We work to address the root causes of poverty and create systemic change by providing basic and emergency resources, education, career services and wellness services.”

In 2024 alone, the organization served more than 11,600 meals at its Neighborhood House and provided more than 92,000 pounds of food to hungry residents. More than 65 people were mentored and of those matched with quality careers, nearly 80 percent remain employed today. Wellness services were valued around $377,000, with more than 4,000 dental procedures conducted, among other vital services.

While many other similar ministries operate throughout the Lowcountry, Palmer said it’s the focus on “holistic support for lasting change” and “building equitable communities” that makes OLMCOS stand out from its counterparts. That means cultivating trust with neighbors, engaging with a genuine heart and providing proven solutions to enact positive change.

“Our holistic, case-management approach addresses the core aspects of a successful life and provides opportunities for generations of families to build sustainable skills and overcome barriers,” Palmer said. “We know that communities are the best agents of their own change. Direct ties and trust within the communities we serve enable us to keep a pulse, in real-time, on the barriers and needs of our neighbors.”

Improvement is also a focus for OLMCOS. Team members understand its success is also tied to self-reflection as an organization and feedback from communities. They frequently evaluate services and programs and partake in active listening with clients, volunteers and community members. Such public forums allow open discussion and keep the organization accessible and responsive to local needs.

Anyone with a need is welcome to call or stop by one of the nonprofit’s locations to access free services and resources for a better quality of life. According to Palmer, it’s also not uncommon for clients who’ve received assistance to eventually give back, often donating or volunteering their time with OLMCOS.

“Every person who walks through our doors has a different story,” Palmer said. “Some have struggled their whole lives reeling from systemic, generational oppression, and others just have one unexpected circumstance that has thrown them off track.”

To emphasize her point, Palmer shared the story of a young woman who had received prenatal care at the Wellness Center in 1999 and whose daughter, Ana, in 2018, returned as a high school senior to intern at the Center. There, Ana discovered social work as her calling and in 2021, graduated with a degree in Human Services and started working as a patient liaison at the facility. She eventually moved into Outreach Services, working directly with neighbors in need.

“She is helping other neighbors write the stories of their children’s lives, just as we did for Ana’s mother 23 years ago,” Palmer said. ϒ

Learn more at www.olmoutreach.org