Monday, February 6, 2012

A Beautiful Day Exploring Old Chicora Park

Saturday was an ideal afternoon for the Preservation Society’s  Oyster Roast Fundraiser. An excellent turnout, good oysters and beer benefited saving the Admiral’s Quarters at the old Navy Base. It was good to touch base with old friends and make new ones! It was held on the grand lawn in front of Quarters H, grand former Officers Quarters designed by James Olmstead, brother of Frederick Law. In the process of a remodel, Quarters H was open for touring.
 After we said our goodbyes and left the event, we explored the neighborhood. With beautiful rolling hills and swails, it is not typical Lowcountry landscape. You can feel the influence of Olmstead in the design.
We went by the Admiral’s Quarters, grand but decrepit; truly sad to see it looking so forlorn. But it was after that that we made our greatest discovery. On the way out, we visited another house, finely restored on the outside and used as a set for Army Wives. It is leased , along with two others next to it, by a local 501( c ) 3 non-profit  called South Carolina Strong.  

Their Mission Statement: 
"Our Mission is to rehabilitate criminals and substance abusers and to move people into economic self-sufficiency.SC STRONG is a residential community that is self-governed where residents learn and teach academic and vocational skills, interpersonal and social survival skills, along with the attitudes, values and self reliance necessary to live in the mainstream of society drug and crime free, successfully and legitimately."

 A great bootstrap operation! Consider that many of these guys have felony convictions and, right or wrong, many employers just won’t hire someone with a felony conviction. It is the policy of many corporate and government  entities that people with felonies are forever tainted goods. These rehabilitated  drug and alcohol addicts live in the other two houses and have created  a number of businesses that they own and operate. Prosperity and Security go a long way toward sobriety and clean living, so kudos to them! The house that we toured with them is being meticulously restored as their catering and venue center. With at least five thousand grand square feet, it is sure to be a success! Check out their website at http://www.southcarolinastrong.org/


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