Our mission is to transform more hearts and lives in Charleston, together.

On any given night, there are over

People in our community without a home*, and this number is growing at 25% annually

*according to Lowcountry Continuum of Care

We can change that together.

Men and Women like John come to the Mission every day.

Having grappled with homelessness and alcoholism on the streets of Charleston, he found himself at the lowest point of his life after being attacked in the middle of the night. Desperate and broken in spirit, he sought refuge at the Star Gospel Mission.

hundreds of men, women, and children are without a home every night, a crisis deepened by economic challenges and soaring housing costs

The Charleston area faces a critical challenge as the number of those experiencing homelessness is expected to double in the next 5 years. However, we can change this together.

Introducing Star Gospel Mission's Brighter Together Campaign

What can we do together to help men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness? Watch the Brightercampaign video to find out:

Our Vision Is To:

Expand The Meeting Street Transitional Housing Campus

In addition to being our programmatic headquarters, we also plan to expand our men's transitional housing program located here from our current 30 spaces into an approximately 90 - 70+ bed comprehensive program for men facing homelessness.

Add a Women and Children's Transitional Housing Campus

Like the Men’s Transitional Housing Program located at Star Gospel Mission’s Meeting Street Campus, this facility will provide on-campus housing, basic needs, and comprehensive services for women and children facing homelessness in their own safe and unique campus.

The plan recovers the Mission’s pre-1989 momentum of caring for the whole family and responds to our region’s urgent need of options for women and their children facing homelessness.

Develop Our RISA (Recovery and Intervention from Substance Abuse) Program

16 beds will be dedicated to further develop a substance abuse intervention program for recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.

The RISA program will be free of charge, lasts 6-12 months, and includes recovery classes, community integration, individualized recovery plans, and work therapy. RISA will most likely start at our Meeting Street campus, and eventually transition to an off-site property in a more rural setting away from the distractions of downtown Charleston. 

We can make a difference together.

Brighter Together Campaign Components

  • Meeting Street Campus Expansion - $10M

    Establish Women and Children's Transitional Housing Program - $4M

    Develop Recovery and Intervention from Substance Abuse Program - $1M

    TOTAL EXPANSION: $15M

  • Meeting Street Campus Expansion - $2.9M

    Women’s Transitional Program - $720K

    Family Support & Casework - $470K

    TOTAL OPERATING: $4.1M

  • Fundraising and Communications Campaign Costs - $200K

    TOTAL CAMPAIGN COSTS: $200K

  • 700,000 and any excess funds to Expand Endowment - $700K

    TOTAL ENDOWMENT: $700K

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN GOAL: $20M

Donyell wandered into the shelter seeking refuge

but found a lifeline instead.

Join Us in Transforming Hearts and Lives Today!

Have Questions About the Brighter Together Campaign?

Star Gospel Mission Leadership

Reverend Dr. Marion Platt III, Executive Director

Reverend Dr. Marion Platt is the sixth Executive Director and Pastor to lead Star Gospel Mission in its 120-year history. A native of Charleston, Marion served two enlistments as a U.S. Army infantryman before embarking on a nineteen-year ministry with The Salvation Army.

Brighter Together Campaign Cabinet

Pierre Manigault, Chair
Virginia Donehue, Honorary Co-Chair
James J. “Jimmy” Kerr, Sr., Honorary Co-Chair
John A. “Johnny” Stuhr, Jr., Honorary Co-Chair

Ellen Cole, Treasurer
David Ingle, Board Chair
Swain Marion
Caroline Mosteller
Chris Olson

Judy Olson
Jed Renfroe
Andy Shook
Marshall Simon
Bill Whitfield

Staff Liaisons

Rev. Dr. Marion Platt III, Executive Director
Jimmy Kaiser, Development Officer
Jessica Boylston, Campaign Consultant
Sandy Morckel, Campaign Consultant

Want to get in contact with someone about the campaign?

Please contact
Jimmy Kaiser, Development Officer
jimmy@stargospelmission.org
(843) 259-2523