Turner Memorial & Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center Breaking Barriers in WeCo

By Javar Juarez - West Columbia, S.C. 

Friday July 14th, 2023 (6:00 am EST)

 

The Columbia Urban Business Network (CUBN) has been on the ground, observing the remarkable work of two agencies striving to serve the residents of Happy Town Sugar Town, two historic districts in West Columbia. Despite the area's challenges, such as high crime rates, above-average poverty levels (14.6 percent), and significant language barriers, these agencies are making a difference. 

Turner Memorial AME Church, with a history dating back to the antebellum period, stands as a beacon of aid in this community. It delivers about 125 hot meals daily, distributes personal care items, clothing, and other essentials. The church also operates a family life center that provides crucial childcare services, which can often be a barrier to employment for low to moderate-income households. 

Our reporter sat down with Pastor Kenneth Taylor to discuss the church's ongoing efforts to support those in need, even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Just across the street from Turner Memorial is the Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC), the nonprofit arm of the historic Brookland Baptist Church of West Columbia. Despite the challenges presented by the diverse population of Happy Town Sugar Town, BLEC has been able to provide a wealth of services to the community. One such initiative is the We Care 2 Clothing Center, which provides professional attire and other garments, particularly for small children.

The Shivers family, responsible for donating all the items to the Clothing Center, spoke about their children's desire to help others and uplift their community.

However, the BLEC is also tackling the community's larger challenges, such as the language barrier. While they are in dire need of volunteers, they offer various services such as hosting the Mexican consulate to aid community members with paperwork for passports and identification. Dr. Cindye Richburg-Cotton leads the BLEC with a steadfast focus on dismantling socio-economic barriers within the community.

Despite the center's extensive facilities and community services, they face challenges in terms of capacity, technological limitations, and the need for bilingual agents and volunteers.

Although Congressman Joe Wilson was unavailable for immediate comment, West Columbia Councilman Mickey Pringle assured that the city is committed to aiding the area's revitalization efforts. This includes investing in the Rosemounda Peggy Butler Park, which offers free wifi to the surrounding community, and regrading the athletic field. Furthermore, Councilman Pringle pledged to secure funding to beautify 12th street extension, bordering both Turner Memorial AME church and the BLEC.