The Women's Shelter

3425 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 779-4706


The Women's Shelter is actually many shelters in one. The housing program has expanded to 15 units of housing which house up to 33 women and children in traditional housing, affordable rental housing, and lease-purchase home-ownership programs.



Putting Rungs On the Ladder of Success

The mission of the Women's Shelter is to assist women who are in crisis.
Residents of the shelter bring a complex array of problems including addiction, mental illness, criminal backgrounds and a history of trauma and abuse. We offer support and structure in a caring environment. Gradually, and at their own pace, residents are reintroduced to society as job-holders who are active and contributing members of the community at large.


What makes The Women's Shelter Special:

  • The Shelter operates its own dental center, shown here, and health screening clinic.
  • The traditional housing program offers women up to two years to address long term issues such as secure employment, reuniting with their families, working through financial or legal problems, pursuing educational goals and locating permanent housing.
  • The Shelter is a non-profit, tax exempt community service organization. Historically, less than ten percent of the budget goes to administrative costs.
  • The Shelter is not state or nationally supported, and depends on contributions from individuals, civic groups, churches, and synogogues for the majority of its funding.

    Helping the Shelter Reach Its Goals

    • Volunteers are always needed to run errands, answer phones, mow the grass and so on. These are the tasks that hold the Women's Shelter together, day to day.
    • Health professionals, especially nurse practitioners and licensed counselors, are needed to donate their services to the health screening clinic.
    • Holidays are especially difficult times for the residents of the shelter. Many of the women are separated from their children and other loved ones, and special help from volunteers around holidays like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day would be a great help.
    • Support fundraisers like the annual "Thanksgiving Souper," a simple meal of bread and soup that is offered as a symbolic experience on every Thursday before Thanksgiving. Participating in the Souper promotes greater understanding of hunger and homelessness. This one event comprises 10% of the annual budget. Please contact the shelter for more information.

      Additional Resources:

      The Women's Shelter is not affiliated with the following organizations, but if you would like more information about related women's issues, these sites contain valuable information.

      1. The Good Samaritan Battered/Homeless Center for Women with Children
      2. National Coalition for the Homeless
      3. National Women's Health Resource Center
        This web page was created for the Women's Shelter by Shaunna Hunter. It was last updated on 11/1/99.