Return to Main Menu

HALOS March 7 fund-raiser benefits victims of abuse by Cindy Abole Public Relations Making a difference is what several MUSC health care practitioners and members of the Lowcountry community have done to try and improve the quality of life and give hope to hundreds of victims of abuse and neglect. Since 1997, the Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) has been an active force to provide the basic needs to youth, families and the elderly that county programs or statewide social workers cannot provide. A collaborative, non-profit organization, HALOS pairs clients of the Charleston County  Department of Social Services (CCDSS) with faith, civic, business, educational and medical community resources. There are more than 1,400 youth involved with DSS in Charleston County with almost 400 being foster children. HALOS DSS coordinator Pam Brooks, left, and Dr. Debbi Fetner prepare a pair of bicycles that were distributed as Christmas gifts on behalf of Project Angel Tree. Next Sunday, the group will sponsor a fund-raiser featuring the Yale Alley Cats, an all-male a capella singing group from Yale University. The event will be held at 7 p.m., March 7 at the Dock Street Theatre. Proceeds will benefit HALOS projects including summer camp scholarships and other support.  “The program was coordinated to help bridge the gap and fulfill the unmet needs of many youth and elderly within the Charleston area,” said Eve Spratt, M.D., a child psychiatrist and pediatrician at MUSC. Spratt is the HALOS founder and president.  The program was created in a collaboration between MUSC’s departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, utilizing participants like physicians, nurses, child psychiatrists, social workers, educators, the clergy, business people and citizens in the community.  The program relies on the generosity of churches, businesses, civic groups, agencies and individuals for a wide spectrum of needs like furniture, crib mattresses, appliances, and services such as camp scholarships, tutoring, and other volunteering. HALOS partners participate by adopting a CCDSS caseworker to help provide unmet year-round needs for their clients. “It’s a great community effort drawing businesses, the faith community, and area professionals together to make things happen,” said Gale Horinbein, Children’s Hosp-ital social worker, SCAN coordinator and member of the HALOS Advisory Board.  HALOS partners meet monthly to discuss programs, case needs and successes. Much of their efforts are  categorized into eight specific programs: back-to-school success, holiday drive, birthday salutes, summer camp, the elderly, self-esteem enhancement, academic enrichment and special needs programs.  “HALOS has been a godsend for our staff and the many individuals who benefit from it,” said Odessa Williams, Charleston County Department of Social Services director. Since its beginning, HALOS has collected more than $950,000 in donations. Every dollar from HALOS donations goes directly towards clients and their families. The program was recognized by a Department of Justice grant to hire a full-time director and create a plan that will possibly expand it as a national model. “Its involvement and level of intervention has saved our staff countless hours of coordinating items and services on the telephone, allowing them to spend quality time with children and their families instead,” Williams said. For information, call 792-8947. Tickets for the March 7 event are $15, adults; $10, students. HALOS Advisory Board Richard Almes, Pam Brooks, Eugene Caldwell, Lisa Collins, Anna Marie Cox, Dr. Phillipe Cunningham, Dr. Michael DeArellano, Chris Donavan, Cristol Duke, Barbara Kelley Duncan, Aaron Dunn, Frampton Durban, Dr. Don Elsey, Dr. Debbie Fetner, Marcella Hamilton, Dr. Maureen Hinson, Gale Horinbein, Rev. Ted Lewis, Mac Magee, Robert Naugle, Elizabeth Penniwell, Kathleen Rodgers, Dr. Sara Schuh, Dr. Arlene Shawinsky, Dr. William Simpson, Toby Smith, Dr. Eve Spratt, Katherine St. Germain, Dr. Cynthia Swenson, Odessa Williams and Tiffany Williams     Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.