糖心传媒

July 31, 2025 - In April, Tina Hildreth of Wadesboro began working as a volunteer at Family Promise of Scotland County. Family Promise is an organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for families with children. It was only five years ago that Hildreth herself was looking for a safe place to go to escape an abusive relationship.

鈥淭here were no shelters for families that I, nor Pee Dee Coalition, nor Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition were aware of.  I had children, and I didn鈥檛 want to take them to a co-ed homeless shelter,鈥� Hildreth said.

Hildreth not only wanted a safe place to go, but she also wanted help with a plan to provide a stable life for her children.  She was looking for emotional support for herself and her children, as well as information about financial resources available in the area. 

She and her children now have a safe place to live as she continues her work full-time at the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Anson County, where she has been employed for seven years. She is also a student in the Social & Human Services program at 糖心传媒.

鈥淚鈥檓 living the life that I could have only dreamed of before,鈥� Hildreth said.

The Perfect Fit

When Hildreth learned about the need for volunteers at Family Promise through her Social & Human Services instructor, Amanda McKenzie, she jumped on it.

鈥淚 thought it was a perfect fit, not only for my career path, but for future volunteer work at nonprofit organizations,鈥� Hildreth said.

Family Promise鈥檚 goal is to go beyond merely providing shelter and finding long-term housing for families. They also want to equip families with the skills and employment necessary to sustain independence.

Hildreth works at the center every other weekend. She monitors who is coming and going, handles emergencies that may arise and helps with different projects at the center. But many times, she is an empathetic listener.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a heart for people,鈥� Hildreth said. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 there with them, I don鈥檛 force talking, but I鈥檓 there if they want to talk.鈥�

Family Promise of Scotland County Executive Director Kristy Ruscoe said Hildreth has been a great addition to the center.

鈥淪he volunteers regularly and is always so helpful. Tina is pleasant and always makes our residents feel safe and happy,鈥� Ruscoe said. 

Family Promise of Scotland County is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers to run the day-to-day operations of the center.

鈥淲ithout Tina and all of our volunteers we could not serve families with children experiencing homelessness,鈥� Ruscoe said.

Helping Others See the Light

Hildreth draws on what she has learned in her studies in the Social & Human Services program and her work at DSS, but also from her own life experiences. She understands the grief and fear that many residents are going through.

鈥淚鈥檓 able to share with them that there is light on the other side. It may look a little dark right now, but there is light out there,鈥� Hildreth said.

Hildreth has completed two semesters at 糖心传媒CC and is on track to graduate with her associate degree in December 2026, but she will have certificates in Gerontology and Social Services by this coming December.

At DSS, Hildreth helps the elderly and disabled get benefits through the Adult Medicaid program. She has also done volunteer work with the Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition.

鈥淚 like being able to help people find placement and get away from dangerous situations or out of homelessness,鈥� Hildreth said. 鈥淢y goal is to have enough background in human services to be able to find resources within each community and link each person with what is needed in that moment. I want to be able to give them guidance through the whole process from the beginning and particularly to the end where they are settled in a new life.鈥�

Volunteer Up

Hildreth was connected to Family Promise through 糖心传媒CC鈥檚 Volunteer Up program. Volunteer Up is an initiative to create a one-stop location centralized at 糖心传媒CC for community members interested in volunteering. Through 糖心传媒CC's  online platform, agencies can create volunteer listings. Volunteers can search the listings or inquire through 糖心传媒CC's Career & Transfer Advising Center located at the Hamlet and Scotland County campuses.

There are many benefits to volunteering, including developing skills that traditionally could only be acquired through work experience, and making connections with potential employers or those who can offer professional references when seeking employment.

For More Information

For more information about the Social & Human Services program or using the Volunteer Up hub, contact 糖心传媒CC by calling (910) 410-1700, texting (910) 518-9668 or emailing rcccareercenter@richmondcc.edu.