2024 Cashiers Cares Check Presentation

“Cashiers Cares wants to be the advocates for the underserved in our communities. The charities we support are really from the very young, the preschools, to the very end of life, which is hospice,” said Pam Kerr, chair of Cashiers Cares. Before representatives from the 10 organizations spoke, Kerr thanked the community for their support of Cashiers Cares, including Trillium, St. Jude Catholic Church, Cashiers United Methodist Church, and Mark Lewis.   Cashiers Cares supports AWAKE, Cashiers Valley Preschool, Community Care Clinic, Fishes & Loaves, Four Seasons Hospice, Hampton Preschool, The Literacy & Learning Center, Pisgah Legal Services, SAFE, and United Christian Ministries. 

Thriving, healthy communities need access to appropriate childcare.

AWAKE provides forensic interviews, medical exams, and advocacy for abused children in Jackson County. Paige Gilliland, Senior Case Manager and Forensic Interviewer, said AWAKE has been able to grow their staff with help from Cashiers Cares’ support, going from two staff to now seven. AWAKE has served 50 children this year, 20 percent of which are from southern Jackson County. Since inception, AWAKE has served over1,200 children.

“We take kids that are scared, and we empower them to know they’re around safe adults,” Gilliland said. April Johnson, director of Cashiers Valley Preschool, said they have completed renovations to insulate their gym. They look forward to future renovations, including paving and possibly opening another room. Cashiers Valley Preschool cares for children ages 2 to 4 and they currently have 37 children enrolled. Hampton Preschool also has 37 children enrolled, although they extend childcare to from six weeks to five years. Hampton Preschool president Tanya Branham said she hopes all children can enter kindergarten with skills to succeed. “The skills needed for kindergarten are taught in a setting that is stimulating, nurturing, individualized, and respectful of each child there,” Branham said.

Through support, The Literacy & Learning Center can promote a lifetime of learning in children. One example of this is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which sends children books monthly until they turn 5. The Literacy & Learning Center has given out over 20,000 books since they were formed in the 90s.

The Community Care Clinic provides free healthcare with a primary focus on diabetes and hypertension. They have also recently expanded their services to include urgent care. Executive Director Faviola Olvera said the clinic is already at a record pace this year. Last year they served 1,200 clients, and so far, they’ve served over 300 in 2024. Fishes & Loaves helps provide food to the working poor in Cashiers through their free pantry and TEFAP program. Board member Susie Davis said Fishes & Loaves has seen about a 40 percent increase in clients and food services this year. They averaged 700 individuals per month last year, but Davis said they’re looking at 1,200 on average this year. Four Seasons Hospice primarily sees elderly patients, but they take care of the entire life range as well. They offer palliative care, home care, care navigation, and grief counseling. “We’re not just for that last week of life,” said Four Seasons’ development director Stephanie Wilson. “We’ll care for every single person in our community who needs our services.”  SAFE is a domestic violence prevention and protection agency based in Brevard. They’ve been caring for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Jackson County since the former REACH branch of Jackson closed.  SAFE provides shelter, clothing, food and financial assistance, transportation, accompaniment to courts, and advocacy throughout the process. It would cost SAFE nearly $50 a night per person to help people, but with this community support they can provide free services. “Clients have access to the opportunities and services needed to create long-lasting changes that result in a life free of domestic and sexual abuse,” said SAFE Administrative Assistant Melissa Smith.

Two additional organizations supported by Cashiers Cares are Pisgah Legal Services and United Christian Ministries of Jackson County.  Pisgah Legal Services helps clients navigate legal processes, including tenant rights, domestic violence protection orders, temporary restraining orders, those seeking asylum, and those navigating the healthcare system. Leslie Manning, regional development officer, said Pisgah Legal now has an office space in Church of the Good Shepherd’s Bazar Barn. A representative from United Christian Ministries was unable to attend the check handouts, but UCM provides financial assistance, a food pantry, and other services to those in need in Jackson.

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