Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Carolyn Cherwon

As a volunteer driven organization, we are shining the spotlight each month on one of our dedicated volunteers who are the heart of Family Promise. They work tirelessly and greatly deserve our thanks and recognition!

In June, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Carolyn Cherwon, a Host Coordinator at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bluffton, who has been involved with Family Promise of Beaufort County (FPBC) since its inception in 2006. Starting out as a recruiter, trying to get churches to sign on for hosting Family Promise guests, Carolyn remembers going to the original meetings at Grace Coastal Community Church. There, a core group of individuals in the community came together to help families in need and began what became FPBC.

“We were all like-minded in our singular goal to get the program up and running to assist homeless families get back on their feet,” Carolyn said. “Grace Coastal Pastor John Ring and Susan Milne, with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, were the true initiators and early leaders of the program. I still have the sign in sheets from those first planning meetings!”

Since few of those key volunteers had ever been involved with the Family Promise model, they relied heavily on help and guidance from Family Promise National.  “Staff members at the National Office told us it would take two years to get the churches we needed, the office space, a van, and a director and social worker. I was so excited and totally sold on the program. But I was sure we could make it happen in a year,” Carolyn said. “Well, National was right! Two years later, in 2008, FPBC opened its doors.”

At that time, the program was based in a small building that had been a doctor’s office at 164 Bluffton Road (it’s no longer there).  As the program grew and more money was raised FPBC had the opportunity to purchase the current building that houses the Day Center and Family Promise Office at 181 Bluffton Road.

Carolyn served on the FPBC Board of Trustees from 2007-14 and was President of the organization from 2011-14.  In 2013, she was honored as National Family Promise Volunteer of the Year – Cabot Community Celebrity Award.

Carolyn and her husband, Gus, moved to Sun City in 2003 when they retired and made the move from Ann Arbor, MI.  “We love this area because of the beauty of the Lowcountry, the hospitality, the weather and the many wonderful friends we have made,” Carolyn said. “I pretty much like everything here except the nosee-ums.”

In talking about her responsibilities and involvement as Co-coordinator at her church Carolyn enthusiastically said, “It warms my heart to know that all of us working together on behalf of these families – be it preparing a meal, staying overnight, preparing rooms, doing laundry, etc. – can make a very real and important difference.”    

When she’s not busy with Family Promise or Lord of Life activities, Carolyn volunteers each week at the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen and works occasionally at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. She loves to cook and entertain friends and even squeezes in a part-time job.

Carolyn exemplifies the more than 700 volunteers who make it possible for Family Promise to assist homeless children and their families.  We greatly thank you for all that you do!