Helping and Lending Outreach Support

“The board receives the 990 via email the week of the december board meeting. At the meeting, the 990 is presented to the board members, and they may ask questions or raise any concerns. Board members may request a separate meeting, or follow up with calls or emails to address any other questions or concerns prior to filing the 990.”

“Each year the members of the board of directors sign a conflict of interest policy that is co-signed by the chairperson of the board. These remain on file for the year. Each year these are renewed by all returning members and signed by new members.”

“Each year the executive committee of the board meets to discuss the annual review and compensation for the executive director. Once consensus is reached, the chairperson of the board meets with the executive director to discuss the overall review of work and to discuss a change in compensation, should there by any. In 2015, the halos board worked with a consultant who provided guidance on board development and fundraising, as well as helping to guide the board in assessing the salary of the executive director.”

“Governing documents are available upon request at our corporate offices.”

“Addressing the unique needs of this population. Halos now offers support group meetings, referrals for services, advocacy, case management, family events, as well as access to our annual campaigns-holiday giving, back to school, summer camp, and critical goods. In 2015-2016, halos received an average of 10.3 new referrals each month and served over 200 families throughout the year.”

“Wishes for gifts. Each child is matched with a volunteer donor from the community and the donors purchase gifts and return them to halos for the children they sponsor. This program brings smiles to thousands of children during the holidays and also to their caregivers who struggle to meet their basic needs. In december 2015, halos distributed holiday gifts including bikes, dolls, games, clothing and sporting goods to over 2,100 children in the tri-county area. In addition to children, halos donors sponsor families who need help with basic needs. Typically a sponsored family may receive some household supplies, clothing for adults and children and toys for the children. In december 2015, 27 families were adopted across three counties. Camps halos raises funds to provide scholarships to camp or other activities during each summer. Children with open cases of abuse and/or neglect, and children who are in the care of a relative who participates in the halos kinship care program are eligible to receive provides children with up to 300 to assist with the cost of camp or other summer activities. The greater majority of requests are for all-day summer camps that will keep children safe and engaged while the caregiver is working. Halos works with the city of charleston and the city of north charleston day camp programs to provide a safe place for children to be during their out -of-school time, where they are also engaged in learning and socializing with other children. Other activities that may be eligible include programs ranging from one week special interest camps such as tennis, art or robotics, or a time-limited day camp. In 2015, halos sent 101 children in charleston, berkeley and dorchester counties to camp and other summer activities. Back-to-school in august 2015, halos provide school supplies, backpacks and/or uniforms to 863 children residing in berkeley, charleston and dorchester counties. Each of these children has an open case of abuse and/or neglect with their local department of social services and/or they are living in the full-time care of a grandparent or other relative because they cannot live with their parents safely. These uniforms and supplies make it possible for each child to go back to school ready to learn, the same as their peers. In addition, each year some children from dss or the halos kinship care program enter college. For each teen that enters college, halos sponsors provide things like dorm room supplies (bedding, lamps, toiletries, etc), computers and other needed items. In 2015 halos sponsored prepared 3 college-bound freshman.”

“Home. In addition, halos meets these needs for families involved in the direct service kinship care program for children who are being raised by grandparents and other kin. Providing beds,cribs, car seats and other necessities helps make it possible for children to be placed with a grandparent or other kin instead of stranger foster care when they have to be removed from their home for their safety, as well as ensuring that siblings can stay together in the same home rather than being split up into different homes.”