Poverty Alleviation Plan

Poverty in Greenville

Greenville County ranks in the bottom 1% (24th worst out of 2,478 counties) in the United States in chances of upward mobility for poor children → Greenville metro area ranks 94th out of the 100 largest metro areas in the country

4.7% = the chance a child in Greenville County who is raised in the bottom fifth income bracket will rise to the top fifth in their lifetime

47% of the Poe Mill community (the neighborhood to the west of the church) lives below the poverty line (the highest rate of any neighborhood in Greenville County) → Poe Mill median household income is $19,000

Sources: Greenville County Racial Equity Index & Opportunity Insights

What Is Poverty Alleviation?

Serving our neighbors in Greenville who are suffering under the weight of poverty by partnering with local ministries that are working to lighten the burden of poverty by addressing its generational, systemic, and/or personal causes.

Alleviation is the lessening (not complete elimination) of a burden or suffering.

We are excited to partner with organizations that are addressing poverty in these areas

Youth Training + Mentoring, Educational Support, & more
Affordable Housing Investment, Legal Reform, & more
Personal Finance Training, Christian Discipleship, & more

Mission

Just as Jesus loved us in our poverty without expecting repayment, so he calls and equips us to care for the poor in the same way.

We are seeking to serve our neighbors in Greenville who are suffering under the weight of poverty by partnering with local ministries and organizations that are working to lighten the burden of poverty by addressing its generational, systemic, and/or personal causes.

G&P began supporting its first partnerships in 2023, initially intending to partner for one year, but extended to three years. G&P intentionally plans and gives 20% of our annual budget to this initiative, believing it to be part of stewarding our resources and influence in our community. In 2025, the diaconate opened applications for new partnerships, and concluded its process at the end of the year.

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”

— Isaiah 58:10

Our Partners

G&P seeks to use its resources to partner with organizations that meet the following criteria:

Have programs & ministries that address poverty in at least one of these areas:

Generational (youth training/mentoring, educational support, etc.)
Systemic (affordable housing investment, legal reform, etc.)
Personal (personal finance training, Christian discipleship, etc.)

Primarily serving in the Greenville community

Are willing to periodically visit Grace & Peace to share their vision and work with the congregation

Express a present need for financial resources to carry out their mission and offer a plan to use the resources in the near future.

Featured

Homes of Hope

Homes of Hope aims to open doors to economic mobility through housing, economic, and workforce development.

Lead Collective

Lead Collective exists to equip and elevate youth leaders in the way of Jesus, from historically under-resourced communities in Greenville, SC through three ministries: Eleos, GOAT, and Reach.

Mill Village Farms

Mill Village Ministries’ mission is to confront local, systemic injustice through education, access, and resources by inviting the whole community to spark multigenerational improvements in Greenville, SC.

Poe Mill Achievement Center

Poe Mill Achievement Center is a free after-school and summer enrichment for elementary school-age children in Greenville, SC.

Housed on G&P’s campus, G&P provides in-kind support via heavily discounted rent to PMAC as a ministry partner.

Rebuild Upstate

Rebuild Upstate is a non-profit organization that exists to repair the homes of our low-income neighbors to make homes safer, healthier, and more livable.

Soteria Community Development Corporation

Soteria CDC advocates for economic and social justice for those and their families impacted by the criminal justice system. We work to create opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals to reenter society through transitional housing, life skills, and job training.

United Ministries

United Ministries exists to is a direct services organization that serves individuals and families experiencing scarcity by providing basic needs for stability and supportive services to achieve self-sufficiency. They focus on three key areas: housing stability, economic mobility, and homeless services.

Unity Health

Unity Health is a community-led community health center that serves the Medically Underserved Area (MUA) of Greenville County, providing access to compassionate, affordable primary healthcare services in the community.