On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Charleston Hope was honored as the Non Profit of the Year by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce at their annual Honors awards ceremony—an evening dedicated to celebrating visionary leaders and organizations who are shaping the Lowcountry's future.
Charleston Hope received the recognition for its unwavering commitment to transforming the mental and emotional health landscape in Title 1 schools across the county. Through its flagship program, THRIVE, Charleston Hope provides school-based clinical therapy, emotional wellness programming, and trauma-informed support for students, families, and educators living and growing up in poverty.
“Being recognized with this award is an incredible honor,” said Emily Kerr, Executive Director of Charleston Hope. “It reflects the strength of our students and the dedication of every therapist, care coordinator, educator, partner, and donor who believes in their potential. This moment is a reminder that when we prioritize mental health in our schools, we change lives— and communities.”
The award comes at a pivotal time for Charleston Hope, as the organization experiences growing demand for its programs amidst a youth mental health crisis and a student-to counselor ratio in South Carolina that exceeds 1:650. Charleston Hope is currently working to expand its reach into more schools across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, but continued community support is vital.
“We can’t do this alone,” Kerr added. “This recognition shines a spotlight on the need—but also on the opportunity—for our entire community to come together to ensure every student has access, no matter their zip code, to the support they need to thrive.”
Charleston Hope calls on local businesses, foundations, and individuals to partner with them to expand school-based therapy and emotional health programming. As the organization looks ahead to its upcoming FLOURISH Women’s Luncheon in May, leaders hope this momentum will spark even deeper collaboration to create lasting change in the lives of Charleston’s youth.
For more information or to learn how to support Charleston Hope’s mission, visit www.charlestonhope.com or contact Executive Director Emily Kerr at emily@charlestonhope.org.
