NORTH CHARLESTON — Four nonprofits are now housed under the same roof, but the groups are doing more than simply sharing real estate.
The organizations at the recently opened Opportunity Center also share a similar vision: Make the space a one-stop shop for economic services that can lead to generational wealth for underserved entrepreneurs.
That vision can be accomplished as the four organizations — South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development, the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, Increasing H.O.P.E and Homes of Hope Inc. — pool their resources and work together, said Bernie Mazyck, CEO of SCACED.
“We always see ourselves working collaboratively,” Mazyck said. “Each of us complements each other.”
The Opportunity Center, located at 8570 Rivers Ave., officially opened for business March 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the four organizations now housed at the space.
Guest attending the ribbon-cutting celebration for the Opportunity Center tour the offices of Increasing H.O.P.E Financial Training Center on March 31, 2022. Four nonprofits opened the center, which will serve as a small-business incubator and training center for underserved entrepreneurs. Brad Nettles/Staff
Jennie Stephens, CEO of the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, acknowledged the shared vision between the Center for Heirs’ Property and the three other nonprofits. She said the new North Charleston facility better equips the heirs property group to help its clients.
For example, a landowner who comes to see the heirs property group at the new Opportunity Center might also be interested in starting a forestry enterprise. While the heirs property nonprofit can provide the technical assistance, Increasing H.O.P.E could offer financial literacy training to help the client hone their business skills, Stephens said.
“That person doesn’t have to go to three separate places,” Stephens said.
The building is also ideally located, she said.
North Charleston has a significant number of people of color who may have the skills but lack the resources to generate income for themselves, Stephens said.
Councilman Jerome Heyward spoke to the need. His district covers the western edge of the city along Dorchester Road. It’s an area where median household income is just over $38,000 and nearly 18 percent live in poverty.
