Community Impact: How Carolina One's Carolina Cares Program Transforms Lives

Alyssa Blitch, COO, accepts check from Paige & Michael at Carolina Cares.

Every day, small acts of kindness add up to create lasting change. At Closet of Hope, the power of community support is clear: when many people

contribute, the lives of children impacted by foster care improve in meaningful ways. One example of this collective effort is the Carolina Cares Program by Carolina One Real Estate, which has recently chosen Closet of Hope as a recipient of its funding. This partnership shows how everyday actions, like buying a home, can ripple out to support vulnerable children and families.

!Eye-level view of a welcoming home exterior with a "Sold" sign on the lawn.

How Carolina Cares Turns Homebuying into Community Support

The Carolina Cares Program stands out because of how it raises funds. Instead of relying on traditional donations, it uses interest earned on earnest money accounts during the homebuying process. When families purchase homes across the Lowcountry, the interest from their earnest money helps fund local nonprofits like Closet of Hope. This behind-the-scenes mechanism transforms routine real estate transactions into a source of steady support for children in foster care.

This model is powerful because it connects everyday people to a cause without requiring extra effort or expense. Homebuyers may not realize that their earnest money is helping provide essential items and services to children and families facing difficult transitions. It’s a reminder that community impact often comes from unexpected places.

The Importance of Funding for Children in Foster Care

Receiving funding from Carolina Cares is more than just a financial boost for Closet of Hope. These funds are critical to continuing our work meeting the practical needs of children and caregivers. Foster care can be a challenging experience, and consistent support makes a real difference.

With this funding, Closet of Hope can provide:

• Essential clothing and school supplies

• Hygiene products and comfort items

• Support services for caregivers during transitions

• Resources that promote stability and dignity

  
  

Each item and service helps children feel cared for and supported during uncertain times. The funding ensures that help is not just immediate but ongoing, reflecting a compassionate approach to foster care.

!Close-up view of a neatly packed backpack filled with school supplies.

A Community That Shows Up for Its Most Vulnerable

Being one of only ten nonprofits selected in the Lowcountry to receive Carolina Cares funding is an honor Closet of Hope holds with great respect. It highlights the trust placed in us to use these resources wisely and effectively.

This program also reflects the strength of the community itself. Carolina One, the real estate company behind Carolina Cares, and the homebuyers who participate are all part of a network that cares deeply about local children. Their commitment creates opportunities for stability and hope exactly where they are needed most.

For the families purchasing homes, this connection may be invisible, but it is powerful. Their decisions contribute to a larger effort that supports children they may never meet but whose lives are changed because of their participation.

How You Can Be Part of the Impact

If you are considering buying a home in the Lowcountry, know that your earnest money can do more than secure your new place—it can help build a stronger community. Programs like Carolina Cares show how everyday choices can support vulnerable populations in meaningful ways.

For those who want to get involved beyond homebuying, supporting local nonprofits like Closet of Hope through volunteering or donations also makes a difference. Every contribution helps create a safety net for children and families facing challenges.

!High angle view of a volunteer organizing donated clothes and supplies.

Gratitude for a Community That Gives Back

The partnership between Carolina One’s Carolina Cares Program and Closet of Hope is a reminder that community support is a powerful force for good. It shows how simple actions, like buying a home, can have far-reaching effects on the lives of children in foster care.

To Carolina One and everyone involved in Carolina Cares, thank you for your dedication to reinvesting in the community. Your support helps provide stability, dignity, and hope to children and families who need it most.

To the homebuyers who make this possible, your role in this effort is invaluable. Though you may never meet the children impacted by your purchase, your decision is part of something much bigger—a community that cares deeply and acts with kindness.