Self Help opens doors to expanded services in Jasper County

Community leaders, partners, supporters and residents gathered June 4 to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Self Help’s new Hardeeville Education & Resource Center, a facility designed to provide education, workforce development and community support services in Jasper County
The center will offer GED preparation, English as a Second Language classes, workforce development programming, digital literacy instruction, financial education workshops and personalized resource navigation.

“This center represents far more than a building,” said Courtney Hampson, CEO of Self Help. “It represents access to opportunity, trusted relationships, and a deeper commitment to walking alongside our neighbors as they pursue their goals and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”

According to Self Help, the opening comes as Hardeeville and surrounding communities continue to experience significant growth. The organization said adult education, workforce development and individualized support services are important components needed to support that growth.

“On June 15, we’ll open our doors for our summer semester. As of today, we have three times as many students for our summer classes as we did this time last year,” Hampson said. “That is progress, and we are grateful.”

Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams also addressed attendees during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This is a great example of an organization that was doing phenomenal work,” Williams said. “They could have stayed where they were and still done phenomenal work, but it wasn’t enough. They saw a need and they came to Jasper County. On behalf of all the people of Jasper County that you’re about to help, we can’t thank you enough.”

The facility will also serve as a collaborative space for community partners, including Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and Greater Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine, according to Self Help.

The organization reported serving 2,331 households in 2025 and reaching more than 6,000 residents through its programs and services. Self Help said 70% of participants engaged in more than one program or service.

The organization also reported that volunteers contributed 32,376 hours in 2025. During the first quarter of 2026, Self Help made 313 referrals to partner organizations.

More information about Self Help and its programs is available at selfhelpservices.org.