This organization provided me with the village every mom needs, the accountability every student needs, and the compassion to help me navigate all of life’s complexities. Any need that may arise, there’s a solution or someone willing to find a solution for you.
I have supported AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries) for 20 years. They are an amazing group. They serve a tremendous amount of people, from: A foodbank with financial training, helping women with children get through college to break the cycle of poverty, and many other service to the poor and needy.
They change lives and the trajectory of people's lives (setting them on a path to success). I have had several students that I taught in college who are now major players in organizations. From directors of non-profits to those with PhDs. They are always innovative to modify current programs and start new ones. The county turned to them to run the covid distributions for the county government: for those with housing needs. Organizations look to them for talent, guidance, and to seek to duplicate the way they do things. The director Kristi King-Brock is an amazing leader who develops her people and orchestrates a multitude of programs and their fundraising. Those who work there are happy in what they do and feel valued as they minister and make an impact on our community. There is no other charity at a county level anywhere in the country that I think is better run or makes the kind of impact Aim makes. They are a model for all nonprofits everywhere.
I could not be more proud to serve on the board of AIM. The staff and volunteers embody the mission every day and the organization is all about helping clients solve real world problems.
AIM is an outstanding organization that truly cares about each individual in the community. I like the fact they not only take care of the immediate need, but also want to move the person/family from being needy to a point of self-sufficiency. This makes AIM very unique and worthy of being a great non-profit.
AIM is a pivotal part of the Anderson community. The work that is being done here continues to help uplift the community.
Anderson is a great place to live because of organizations like AIM, the people who run it, and the community that supports it. The director & staff are continually striving to understand the needs of the community and how to meet those needs. I was led by their servant hearts to progress from volunteer to Board Member. There are many ways, big & small, to assist AIM with all of the big & small ways they touch our community. I encourage everyone to come take a tour and learn about all the ways AIM impacts our city.
I have been volunteering at AIM for years and observing the great work they do every day. I was so impressed by their commitment to the community that I joined the Board of Directors to see what I could do to assist them in their mission. For one, the hunger ministry has grown so much over the last few years they are now giving out boxes of food to over 50 families a day every month. In addition to the food pantry, AIM provides food for the hungry in our community in many other ways such as the new Food Share program opening in October in partnership with AnMed, and the Summer Food for Kids program which feeds children every Friday during the 12 weeks of summer when they don't get meals from school. Every year AIM gives away over 1000 turkeys with boxes of sides for Thanksgiving. I am so proud of AIM for their commitment to feeding the hungry in our community, but that is only one part of the service they do. Please go to the website to see all the wonderful programs and events this organization gives to those in need. Go to https://www.aimcharity.org/ to see more! It's not just a handout, it's a hand up. AIM's Mission Statement: Connecting people with support, resources, and education so they can empower themselves to become self-sufficient. They have been serving our community for over 34 years! Please feel free to tour the facilities and see the great work being done. If you're interested, there is a standing invitation to stop by on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10:00 AM or call 864-226-2273.
Although I am a new board member, I have been supporting AIM for over 15 years. The amazing people at AIM never turn anyone away and have helped our community through so many different avenues. They also are very big on "giving a hand up, and not a handout". Their WACS program has helped so many women pursue higher education while being there to support their families. If it were not for this program many women would not have the opportunity to graduate and go into a higher income field. This is just one of the many ways AIM has offered support into the Anderson County community.
Working with this non-profit has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. Despite having a lean staff, the organization efficiently engages volunteers throughout the year, ensuring that every donor's contribution has maximum impact. Their ability to collaborate seamlessly with other non-profits and government programs is impressive, helping to eliminate redundancy and enhance overall effectiveness. The depth of their programs reflects a deep understanding of the communities they serve, addressing immediate needs while focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions. Their commitment to breaking cycles of hardship is evident in their approach, which goes beyond temporary relief to create lasting change. Backed by strong, visionary leadership and a long-standing presence in the community, this organization is truly a pillar of hope and positive transformation.
As an employee and Americorps member at AIM, I've gotten to know the staff, the leadership, and the heart of AIM. Not only do they care about their employees, but every day they look for new ways to be a force for good in Anderson. They are innovative, intelligent, and community-oriented.
AIM offers five robust program areas with staff devoted to compassionate and thorough service. AIM provides basic needs assistance such as rental, mortgage, utility, home rehabilitation, and food assistance. In addition to these programs, AIM offers monthly financial stability classes, career coaching, college support, and vocational training assistance to its participants to equip individuals towards self-sufficiency and financial stability. It is these wraparound services that mark AIM as unique and foundational to the support of under-resourced members of the community. It is about relationship, seeing people, encouraging them, and providing resources whether it be food, certification tuition assistance, home repair, or financial counsel, to equip clients in their next steps.
They provide for critical community needs such as food, housing assistance, connections with other local resources, and more.
Well-established non-profit with one CEO for over 30 years. Meets many needs in the Anderson community and demonstrated good financial responsibility for years. Programs I've been involved in are the Women and Children Succeeding Program, Snap to Work, Food Pantry, and Pivotal Support. This organization is a great partner to other non-profits in the Anderson community and its municipalities.
AIM helps many Anderson County residents during times they most need it, providing support and resources needed to help them move toward a place of hope!
AIM strives to help everyone they can. They have a great heart for their community and go above and beyond. They have helped me, and so many others, get back on my feet. I love AIM!
Anderson (SC) Interfaith Ministries (AIM) goes the extra mile in serving our community, acting as the heart and hub of shared caring work for our county. Along with creative and adaptive service for basic needs and self-development, my regard for AIM has grown each year, observing how the leadership, professional and volunteer, regularly and intentionally seek outside input and evaluation of their services and programs. AIM invites self-review and larger conversation about what is needed and how best to address concerns. The focus has been and remains HOW TO BEST LIFT AND SERVE OTHERS.
Previous Stories
As a new pastor to Anderson, I quickly attempted to learn our new community, both Anderson's needs and chief helpers. Again and again and again, other leaders and neighbors steered me to Anderson Interfaith Ministries and I soon learned how crucial their programs and staff are to the well-being and compassionate response to those in need. Whatever the issue we attempt to address, we always touch base with AIM, Director Kristi King-Brock, and staff. They are an invaluable and energetic resource for helping beyond surface needs. To show Christian kindness, AIM is our go-to for visionary and proactive guidance and support!
AIM has helped our community for years and has become the one-stop shop for people who are need of job skills assessment, job training, housing, food, or utility assistance. The Women and Children Succeeding (WACS) program has elevated many families from generational poverty to self-sufficiency and sustainability. It's a hand up, not just a hand out.
Women and Children Succeeding is an organization facilitated by Anderson Interfaith Ministries. This program helps remove barriers so that women with children can advance in their community and live independently from government aid. Personally, this program has allowed me to peruse my bachelors in nursing at Clemson University. I would not be able to afford childcare for my two children without AIM. I appreciate knowing that while I am in school my children are also getting a quality foundation in education at the Montessori school they attend. In addition to childcare, the program provides regular car maintenance and support in emergency situations. For every $100 invested in us, we provide an hour of community service. In this way, AIM is not only building us up as women and mothers, but building up the community. They allow children in the program to do extracurricular activities and there is also assistance for holidays such as Christmas, and Thanksgiving. I do not have to worry about my children missing out when the budget gets tight. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the wonderful people that make this program possible. I am looking forward to the day that I can invest in this program in return. With the support of the WACS program, I know I will succeed.
I serve with AIM because I want to be a part of something that makes a lasting impact and truly gives someone the chance to do a complete 180 in their life. Where else can a homeless mother go and get the resources and support necessary to not only stabilize her basic needs, but also procure childcare, earn a degree, start a career and inspire her children to think well beyond the cycle of poverty? Where else can a hungry person go to get food, and end up securing much needed benefits and eventually completing the training necessary to become gainfully employed and off of government assistance?
AIM is doing something incredible. If more agencies with this mindset and mission existed, our cities, states and country would look vastly different.
AIM changes lives! I have seen some many young ladies (and families) go from extreme poverty with little hope, to living productive lives with a degree in hand. AIM has changed generations by giving hope to those who thought there was no hope.
Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) is a wonderful non-profit organization that focuses on several important needs in the community of Anderson County. The biggest programs are Emergency Assistance, Hunger Ministries, and Women and Children Succeeding (WACS). The WACS program is now in the process of replication in the state of South Carolina. AIM began in 1989 as a result of churches coming together to eliminate duplicated help and serve those who were not being helped. AIM is led by an educated and trained team of professional workers who give their all to serve the community, whether through direct service or through capacity building. AIM currently has over five hundred active volunteers who serve in all five buildings on the campus. There are six main programs at AIM that serve those in need, but there are other smaller programs that run seasonally. In order to receive help from AIM, clients must go through an interview process. This way AIM hopes to serve those truly in need and to avoid duplication of help. The organization has grown immensely over the past twenty years and receives much support from businesses, churches, and individuals.