Anderson 24-Hour “Conversations” Seek Ideas for Easing Homelessness

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Finding answers for a better community most often starts with conversations.

That’s why two Anderson locations are part of this week’s Citygate Network’s nationwide Conversations on a Bench initiative, which will run from 3 p.m. Thursday until 3 p.m. Friday.

Nationwide, rescue missions, recovery centers, outreach groups, and other ministries across North America will host a 24-hour livestream of conversations about homelessness, addiction, and mental health.

Rain or shine, ministry leaders will listen as neighbors, pastors, and community members share their stories with the hope of bringing change.

Hope Missions of the Upstate CEO and Executive Director Dave Phillips will sit outside Hope Missions at 213 S. Towers St., to lead conversations on site of the ministry which has served Anderson for nearly a decade.

Hope Missions provides daily assistance to more than 150 individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. While the organization supplies immediate necessities such as food, clothing, and hygiene items, it also focuses on removing long-term systemic barriers by helping people secure mailing addresses, obtain essential personal documents, and navigate housing and mental health resources. The group, which also conducts hospital visitations and jail ministry, emphasizes dignity and personal agency in its operations, utilizing practices as simple as serving guests with real ceramic mugs rather than disposable paper cups.

Throughout the 24-hour event, Hope Missions, residents may schedule a time to speak with Phillips or stop by at any point, including overnight. Questions may be submitted in advance by emailing Joshua@hopeupstate.org. Hope Missions will also be accepting donations of most needed items they use at the downtown ministry which provides breakfast daily for the unhoused, coffee, sugar, creamer and instant packets of grits which are used in vast amounts at the ministry.

Hope Missions will share live clips and key conversations through its social media platforms.

Less than a mile away from Hope Missions, Miracle Hill Ministries President and CEO Ryan Duerk will host conversations outside the Anderson County Library at 300 N. McDuffie St.

Miracle Hill will livestream its conversations on YouTube and Facebook and will be accepting donations of new shampoo, body wash, bar soap, deodorant and other personal hygiene items outside to distribute to other Anderson organizations working with the homeless.

Both organizations are inviting residents to ask questions, share their experiences or listen to discussions about housing, recovery and the challenges facing people and the community related to homelessness.

Miracle Hill is also exploring partnerships in Anderson, including the potential development of emergency shelter services.

Miracle Hill Ministries, headquartered in Greenville County, is the largest provider of services for homeless, hungry and destitute populations in Upstate South Carolina, operating a network of rescue missions, addiction recovery centers, transitional housing programs and foster care services across the region. The organization provides thousands of individuals with food, shelter and counseling annually.

Through this week’s outreach, both organizations hope to deepen public understanding, strengthen community relationships and encourage participation in long-term solutions.