SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A new resource connection center had its grand opening in Dorchester County.

Trident United Way opened a location in the Summerville area, hoping to get people back on their feet.

“From many of the families that we see, they’re working one sometimes multiple jobs. We want their children to be in a stable place so they can continue to remain in the same school, continue to learn and ultimately that our neighborhood can thrive by making sure every neighbor is financially secure knowing where their next meals are going to be and that they’re able to stay in their home,” Trident United Way President and CEO, DJ Hampton said.

Hampton says this resource center has taken time to open the doors for those in financial distress.

“So for those families who are working hard every day, struggling to make ends meet, it’s a place where they can come and get additional help and services,” Hampton said.

After looking at their database, Hampton said there’s about 40% of the community that are above the poverty line yet struggle significantly financially.

“There’s a large cross-section in our community that’s on the brink of financial disaster so all of those citizens have a resource center right here,” Summerville Mayor, Russ Touchberry said.

Touchberry explained that though he did not play as big of a role as others, he has referenced many to the organization and is hopeful for what this may bring.

“I’ve connected folks to the 211 program and connected them directly to them and they always get taken care of. It always makes folks feel special,” he said.

Trident United Way partnered with about a dozen non-profits to help provide opportunities for Summerville families.

While choosing which partners, Hampton says they had to consider their data to also cater to the needs of the community.

“We know health care can be a real challenge for people to access here, so we’ve partnered with mobile clinics from MUSC and roper to come and actually provide medical for those families while they’re already here,” Hampton said.

The center has office spaces for seminars or meetings, computers, school supplies and food.

“Then we help them get it in one stop. So instead of spending weeks going to multiple places, they’re able to get it one place. Which ultimately means they’re most likely to get services and they’re more likely to get the help they need to stay stable,” Hampton said.

Hampton also explained they can help with taxes.

He said every year, they complete about 1,200 to 1,300 tax returns for families, so any family that makes less than 73,000 dollars a year are eligible for the opportunity to have their taxes done for them.

“I hope when people get in there, they feel comfortable. They feel empowered and supported, and then from that they can be successful in our community,” Touchberry said.

The hours for the new location are Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

They will then accept appointments on Friday.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

|Updated: Sep. 20, 2024 at 4:18 AM EDT

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - More than a week after a Summerville tutoring service shut down without warning, teachers are left without a job and are missing paychecks.

Former Sylvan Learning employees describe how the situation has been handled as shocking and ridiculous.

Staff was notified about the immediate closure in a Zoom meeting 10 days ago, and they still have not seen their last paychecks.

The owner of the franchise, Susan Fairbairn, closed the Summerville location, along with her other four locations in Texas, without proper protocol, according to Sylvan’s home office.

Fairbairn cited the reason for the Summerville closure as a lack of resources.

Katelyn Bunch taught there for over a year and says things seemed normal. She says they had plenty of tutors and a waiting list of kids to get in.

Bunch says she has received little to no communication on if the money she and others are due will ever turn up.

“I’m someone living paycheck to paycheck and wondering how I’m going to pay my bills as I was relying on this money a lot,” Bunch said. “Now, I’m trying to figure out how to pay for my basic needs.”

Bunch says working at Sylvan in Summerville was a positive experience until now.

“It was a wonderful place and I’m gonna miss teaching there,” Bunch said. “I felt like I was a better teacher after working here and now I don’t know what to do. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to make ends meet.”

After teaching there for seven years, Kristina Bell says she was brought to tears once the closure sunk in.

“Losing a family and working with the children that you enjoy working with every day and then on top of that you don’t get paid, so then I was in a financial bind,” Bell said.

Bunch and Bell want to continue working with the kids who need tutoring.

“She {Fairbairn} didn’t give us any information,” Bell said. “She could have definitely rolled back enrollment, told the directors to not bring on any more students because I’m going to gradually phase out of this.”

Fairbairn did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Sylvan provided the following statement:

Since the Sylvan Learning of Summerville was independently owned and operated by Susan Fairbairn, she is responsible for providing paychecks to her employees. Sylvan Learning, the Franchisor, has not heard from Susan Fairbairn. Sylvan Learning is working on other solutions to help these families, including delivering tutoring for their children for a period of time while they continue to pursue legal action and/or find another tutor.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.