For 20 years, countless partners, donors, advocates, and leaders all across the state and nation have supported the Center and our network of regional fatherhood organizations. Most important, this collaboration has helped fathers to lift their families out of poverty, build strong families and give their children the best chance in life. We are so humbled by what has been accomplished with your help. To celebrate, later this year we will release our 20-year commemorative report chronicling the milestones and impact of this amazing journey and host community give-back projects as well as our big 20^th Anniversary Celebration on August 11.

Throughout the year, our Facebook page will feature members of our fatherhood family sharing their perspectives about our mission.  To kick off this series, meet Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, Congregational Leader for the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. The Center would not exist without the vision of these courageous and devoted women with their deep commitment to all South Carolinians, especially families facing poverty. The Sisters realized that the reason so many women and children were living in poverty was because of the dying role of dads. Yet study after study underscores the fact that a great dad almost always means better grades, better health, better choices, and a happier, more productive life for his children. Virtually every outcome for a child is better when they have a loving, involved and responsible father. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, found a partner in SC’s Department of Social Services and together launched the Center in 2002 to lead fatherhood efforts statewide. This bold vision coupled with mission-minded partners has resulted in vital services to more than 25,000 fathers, positively impacting close to 75,000 children, creating stronger communities and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. That’s just a little bit about what has been accomplished to date. Together, we will do so much more for SC families in the coming months and years.

Thank you for all you do! Please join us in proudly celebrating fathers, their irreplaceable role, and our 20-year anniversary.