Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Johanne Golcher

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 March, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Johanne Golcher, coordinator for Family Promise activities at Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island.  A congregation actively committed to helping those in need, Sea Island has worked with Family Promise since the program began in Beaufort County in 2008. “In addition to our members, our pastor and associate pastor are involved with and strongly support Family Promise and its mission” says Johanne. Sea Island also serves as the only cold weather shelter in Beaufort County.

When asked about coordinating and preparing for Family Promise guests, Johanne says “What we do is only possible because so many people come together and collaborate.  I, in no way, work alone.” As she shared about the variety of tasks that are done to prepare for hosting, Johanne said Nancy Pratt meticulously plans meals and arranges who will bring them. Nancy Kessel oversees and organizes volunteers to assist with guest accommodations, including setup, greeting, overnight hosting, laundry, and cleanup. Trey Daughtery and Clay Wallace are also members of the coordinating team.

Assisting Sea Island, the host congregation, are two support congregations.  Volunteers from Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort provide meals and hosts for two evenings. Volunteers from Live Oak Christian Church also assist with hosting. Because of the large number of volunteers involved and the multitude of details to track, Johanne and the people she works with use Google spreadsheets to track information and enable all involved to be aware when there are changes.

Johanne is also a volunteer at Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic in Beaufort.  She works one morning a week focused on the paperwork necessary for financially qualifying individuals. The organization provides primary health care services at no cost to adults who have low household incomes and no access to health insurance.

Johanne, who lives on Dataw Island with her husband Ron, enjoys golf and a variety of activities including walking and yoga. Three mornings each week she joins a group of women on Dataw for an early morning exercise class at 7:30 a.m.

Johanne and Ron are originally from New Jersey. Through the years they have moved often, their last location being Las Cruces, New Mexico, before returning to live in the Low Country. Together the Golchers have six grown children. They are the proud grandparents of twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Johanne exemplifies the dedicated volunteers who make it possible for Family Promise to provide respite to homeless families with children. We thank you!