Rebuilding Lives for a Stronger Community

We give hope and rebuild lives through rehabilitative and prevention services.

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What We Do

The Alston Wilkes Society (AWS) is a South Carolina nonprofit organization that provides those most at risk with hope for a brighter future. We provide supportive services to Veterans and their families, individuals with justice system involvement, and at-risk youth and adults in our community.

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Who We Serve

  • Our Youth Home services males aged 11-21 who are referred by approved state agencies in South Carolina. Our programs focus is to transition residents to a less restrictive environment and promote family reunification.

  • The Alston Wilkes Veteran Home was the first transitional housing facility specifically for Veterans in the Midlands. AWS currently provides case management and supportive services for homeless Veterans and their families, including operating two transitional facilities for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

    The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program prevents homelessness by helping qualifying veterans and their families gain access to the resources they need in order to successfully transition to or maintain permanent housing.

  • The Community Service Program carries on the original AWS mission assisting offenders, former offenders, family members and homeless individuals in rebuilding their lives as productive, law-abiding members of the community. Case management and coordination of services help clients make a successful transition into society having a positive effect on crime reduction and prevention.

    We have 9 Community Service Coordinators throughout South Carolina that provide supportive services to people who are, or have been, involved in the justice system.

  • Our Residential Reentry Centers house federal offenders through contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. AWS provides 24-hour supervision, housing, food, and intense case management. We also offer services like anger management counseling, cultural diversity training, life-skills training, financial management classes, and substance abuse counseling if needed. These services help ensure that our residents have all of the tools necessary for them to transition back into their communities, where they can become productive and successful members of society.

    We operate 4 Residential Reentry Centers throughout South Carolina that provide rehabilitative and supportive services to people who are transitioning from incarceration back into their communities, ensuring that they are successful in rebuilding their lives.

Our Services

Upcoming Events

  • 2026 Oyster Roast

    October 18th from 3-6 PM at Bowen’s Island Restaurant in beautiful Charleston, SC.

    We are looking for sponsors for this event! If you’d like to consider helping support our mission and the oyster roast, please take a moment to check out our sponsorship package and consider how you can help!

  • 2026 Annual Meeting

    November 19th from 11 AM to 3 PM

    More details coming soon!

  • "I am forever grateful to the Alston Wilkes Society and their employees who took the time to show me what God's grace looks like and how to recover and reclaim what belongs to me. Thank you for being that listening ear, for your patience and dedication in helping me find a place to call home."

    —SSVF Client “Sheila”

  • "When I came to AWS with a child that other providers rowned upon and would not accept placement for, I was concerned that this child's life would never be given the care they so clearly needed. Ms. Bookard greeted him with a warm and fuzzy smile, and I knew then that this time would be different and that he was home. I thank Ms. Bookard for making a lasting difference in this child's life."

    —Wanda Debnam, DSS

  • "I was at my wits end on how to help myself and you were able to help me in a clutch. Thank you. What you do makes all the difference between being able to move forward in life and grow, or simply fall through it, and remain outside of society."

    —Community Service Program Client, Mr. S.

  • "As a veteran, my wife and I wholeheartedly appreciate the assistance they have given us. They stayed with us through the whole process and said be patient, it will come, and it did. So my hat goes off to the Alston Wilkes Society along with the Veteran Administration for a job well done."

    —Mr. & Mrs. Griffin | Local Advocate

  • "I was a resident at the Alston Wilkes' Veterans Facility from September of 2020 to March of 2021. I want to say Thank You for the outstanding services I received while I was there. I appreciate the care and concern they provide for all of the Veterans. Thank you for everything you all have done for me. I will carry your message with me on my journey."

    —Mr. Hall | Pilot

  • "One agency I would like to sing the praises of is the Alston Wilkes Society. For years, AWS has been working with former offenders at the state and federal levels to ensure that they have the tools and resources that they require. Their community service programs and residential reentry centers have, year-in and year-out, produced success rates far exceeding national averages. It's because of the work of agencies like this that South Carolina now leads the way in rehabilitation."

    —Robert Barber | Former SC House Representative

  • "I came to seek assistance from the Alston Wilkes Society because I had a determination to rebuild my life and reunite my family. The Alston Wilkes Society helped me secure an ID and put me in touch with partner agencies for clothing and food. Then they helped me with finding employment opportunities and encouraged me to return to school. I am so grateful to the Alston Wilkes Society for the second chance they gave me, but more importantly, for helping me bring my family back together."

    —Community Services Program Client “Joe”

Get Involved

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Volunteer

Volunteering is an impactful way you can support the Alston Wilkes Society. We offer volunteer opportunities for our Veterans, Youth, and Community Services programs.

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Internships

We offer internship opportunities for our Veterans, Youth, and Community Services programs. Get hands-on experience working directly with clients in our social service programs.

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Employment

Imagine a place where your talent makes a meaningful difference in peoples’ lives. Working at AWS is a uniquely rewarding experience in which our employees work together as vital parts of a much larger mission. We are a nonprofit that is innovative, mission-focused, diverse, collaborative, and values-driven.

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Donate

Your monetary donation allows AWS to offer more services and recreational activities for our clients. Donate today to make a difference.

Free, Confidential Support

Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Contact the Veterans Crisis Hotline. It is available 24/7.

1-800-273-8255

Contact Us

Interested in volunteering or have other questions about Alston Wilkes Society? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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