History

Serving Bamberg, Barnwell, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties.

We’ve assisted with rehab since 2005, as our mission was to improve quality of life of families by providing a decent, safety and healthy home through rehabilitation, preservation of affordable housing and programs connecting people with support and education.

Over the past year this organization has not only provided rehab it has also provided affordable and rental housing to families in this community. Currently, this organization provides five rental housing units for families in this community.

This organization has assisted approximately 225 plus families with rehab or repaired throughout the counties we served. In 2022 CUAP was award $400 thousand investment through American Rescue Plan Act from Barnwell County. This program assisted approximately 50 families within the Barnwell County to improve their homes. This even includes mobile homes with no restrictions. This did not include state funding received from Housing Trust. Over the past five years the organization has been awarded over 3.5 million dollars for community services. In addition, recently CUAP partnered with Allendale County Alive to build five ramps for needed families in this community.

Services

Arts and education workshops were provided to youth and adult seniors to encourage community engagement and activities. An outstanding achievement for this community, the Blackville Community Choir that existed over 52 years without noticeable recognition. Through partnership with SC Arts Commission, Blackville Community Choir was nominated by CUAP and won the state recognition and won Jean Laney Heritage Folk Ward. This organization felt this choir deserved recognition for their outstanding community service.

Another Arts and Education project that is available to adults and students is the Phoenix Project 29817 initiative provides mindfulness collaborations for Artistry and Information Technology. This education is provided by instructor Victor Jones. Victor also teaches piano lessons, and drum classes to students .. Recently, the Phoenix Project 29817 in partnership with Downtown Development and CUAP hosted a Black History Program celebrating NAACP 100 years of existence at the Blackville Community Center. A large writeup article was published in the Barnwell People Sentinel Newspaper.

We offer FREE income tax assistance to anyone with income up-to $75,000. This is VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). These services are provided with certified volunteers from this community that just want to help others. This program is in partnership with United Way of the Low Country. Services are provided during tax season and saves tax payer money. Currently, we are offering a Financial Empowerment Workshop weekly on Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 P.M. until April 21st at the Blackville Hilda High School Library. Classes are free to all. The workshop is designed to help you understand money, build confidence, and make smarter financial decisions for your future.

Currently, we are offering a Financial Empowerment Workshop weekly on Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 P.M. until April 21st at the Blackville Hilda High School Library. Classes are free to all. The workshop is designed to help you understand money, build confidence, and make smarter financial decisions for your future.

Past Work

Annual fundraiser event Distinguished Men Who Cook is held in August where men of different ages, careers, professions showcase their specialty dish. This event is always filled with fun great food. We have approximately 25 men show casing special dishes.

We have conducted neighborhood projects with various colleges during their spring break. Students visit this area for a week. Some projects consisted in this community was cleaning Blackville cemetery, cleaning the elderly yard. painting outside and inside homes, painting fire hydrants around town of Blackville. Landscaping. Etc.

This organization has assisted families in this community and county with utilities payments to keep water or lights on for their health and safety needs. And medical assistance with medicine.

A wall mural was created of agriculture history of Blackville show casing the Best Friend Train that travel from Charleston to Hamburg. Also, a sidewalk mural wit statements from citizens of completing a sentence with Blackville is …….. the statements were stencil painted by citizens of Blackville on downtown sidewalk Squares.

Future Projects

CUAP is proposing a development of 2 to six single family units in this community soon. The units will be 3 bedrooms with 2 baths, single car garage. The home will be attracted to teachers, fireman’s, first responders or anyone that meets the guideline. This project may take 12-18 months to complete. Currently, we are offering a Financial Empowerment Workshop weekly on Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 P.M. until April 21st at the Blackville Hilda High School Library. Classes are free to all. The workshop is designed to help you understand money, build confidence, and make smarter financial decisions for your future.