New to the Charleston community? The best way to meet new friends is to join an organization, become a member of your neighborhood association, volunteer, start a new career, and/or or learn a new hobby.
Charleston offers hundreds of community programs and is home to 18 institutions of higher education. At age 60 there is free tuition at all state supported educational institutions (depending on space restrictions and the usual entrance requirements). So why not learn a new language or expand your computer skills? This is your time to take advantage of the diverse offerings of Charleston.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
Ballroom Dance Club of Charleston http://www.ballroomdanceclub.org
Charleston Area Ladies Tennis Association http://www.caltatennis.net/
Carolina Lady Anglers (Fishing) http://www.carolinaladyanglers.org/
Charleston Beach Volleyball & Social Club http://charlestonvolleyball.net/home.html
Charleston Chess Club http://www.charlestonchess.org/
Charleston Group of Southern Off-Road Bikers http://www.clubmtb.com/
Charleston Horticultural Society http://charlestonhorticulturalsociety.org/
Charleston Metro Sports Council http://www.www.sportscouncil.org
Charleston Mens Senior Baseball League www.charlestonmsbl.com
Charleston Mens Adult Baseball League http://www.cmabl.com
Charleston Miracle League http://www.charlestonmiracleleague.org
Charleston Ocean Racing Association http://www.charlestonoceanracing.org/
Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Club http://www.charlestonrugby.com/
Charleston Pro Tennis League, Inc http://www.cptltennis.com/
Charleston Rugby Football Club http://www.charlestonrugby.com
Charleston Running Club http://www.charlestonrunningclub.com
Charleston Triathlon Club http://www.charlestontriathlonclub.com
Coastal Cyclists www.coastalcyclists.com
Executive Womens Golf Association www.ewgacolumbia.org
IOn Village Walk & Pond Polo Assoc http://www.ionvillage.com
Lowcountry Paddlers Canoeing Kayak Club http://lowcountrypaddlers.net/
Omar Shrine Temple http://www.omarshrine.com/
Rotary Club of Charleston http://www.charleston-rotary.org/
Rotary Club of Summerville www.summerville.rotary-clubs.org
SC Eastern Surfing Association http://ssc.surfesa.org/
SC Marine Association http://www.scmarine.org/
SC Racquetball Association http://www.scracquetball.org/
SC Wildlife Federation http://www.scwf.org/
COMMUNITY CENTERS
Berkeley County Family YMCA… 843-761-9622
Charleston Jewish Community Center…843-571-6565
Summerville Family YMCA…843-871-9622
Summerville YMCA Gymnastics…843-821-2727
YMCA, Charleston…843-571-9622
YMCA, Charleston…843-722-1644
Jewish Community Center…843-571-6565
Christian Family Y…843-723-6473
North Charleston Community Service Center…843-554-1176
VOLUNTEER OR BECOME A MEMBER
Charleston Habitat for Humanity http://www.charlestonhabitat.org/
Dorchester Habitat for Humanity http://www.dorchesterhabitat.org/
East Cooper Habitat for Humanity http://www.eastcooperhabitat.org/
Historic Charleston Foundation http://www.historiccharleston.org/involved/volunteer.html
Hospice of Charleston http://www.hospiceofcharleston.org/volunteer/application.shtml
Center for Women http://www.c4women.org
Lowcountry Food Bank http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/
My Sisters House, Inc mysistershouse.org/volunteer-opportunities
South Carolina Arts Commission http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/
South Carolina Aquarium www.scaquarium.org/volunteer
South Carolina Historical Society www.southcarolinahistoricalsociety.org
SPCA www.charlestonanimalsociety.org/how-you-can-help
Additional Charities www.charity-charities.org
JOB SEARCHING
Statistics show more and more retirees decide to return to the workforce during their retirement years. The intellectual stimulation, money, and sense of purpose are all reasons why you might decide, too, to reenter the workplace.
http://www.charleston.net/classifiedmain/
http://www.charlestonjobmarket.com/
But do remember that if you decide to work before or after you reach the FRA (full retirement age) make sure you check out the governments social security website regarding if your income will reduce your social security benefits: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/RTeffect.html
RELIGION
Charleston, known as the Holy City, has more than 350 churches, synagogues, temples, mosques in the tri-county. For an up-to-date list, please visit: http://www.sciway.net/org/religcharleston.html
SENIOR CENTERS
Charleston County
Charleston Area Senior Citizens, Inc.
259 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 722-4127
Lowcountry Senior Center/Roper Saint Francis:
865 Riverland Drive Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-9555
http://www.ropersaintfrancis.com/seniorcenter/Default.asp
South Santee Community Center
710 S. Santee Road McClellanville, SC 29458
(843) 546-2789
Berkeley County
Hanahan Senior Center
3100 Mabeline Road Hanahan, SC 29406
(843) 266-0958
http://www.cityofhanahan.com/seniorcenter.cfm
Berkeley Seniors, Inc.
103 Gulledge Street Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(843) 761-0390
http://www.berkeleyseniors.org/
Moncks Corner Senior Center
222 Heatley Street Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(843) 761-0390
South Berkeley Senior Center
103 Thurgood Road Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-2423
St. Stephen Senior Center
117 Bay Street St. Stephen, SC 29479
(843) 567-2674
Dorcheester County
David Sojourner Senior Center
5361 E. Jim Bilton Blvd. St. George, SC 29477
(843) 563-3709
Dorchester Seniors: Faith Sellers Senior Center
312 North Laurel Street Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 871-5053
http://www.dorchesterseniors.com/
Other Useful Contacts and Links:
Area Agency on Aging/Elderlink Inc: (843) 554-2275
SC Office on Aging http://www.aging.sc.gov
SC Senior Citizen’s Handbook http://www.aging.sc.gov/docs/SrCitGuide.pdf
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) http://www.aarp.org
National Council of Senior Citizens http://www.ncsinc.org
National Council on the Aging http://www.benefitscheckup.org
National Institute on Health http://www.nih.gov
Eldercare http://www.eldercare.gov/
United States Government Resources for Seniors http://www.seniors.gov
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
Below please find a document outlining the Colleges and Universities in the Charleston area courtesy of the Center for Business Research.
