Building More Than Homes: A Community Collaboration in BTW
At Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, our mission goes far beyond building homes. We are committed to building community and hope. Through our Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside residents and community partners to create lasting, meaningful change.
Recently, a project in the Booker T. Washington (BTW) neighborhood showed us exactly what’s possible when creativity, timing, and collaboration come together.
Listening First: A Neighborhood’s Vision
Our program team had been in conversation with residents of Carver Apartments about their hopes for the future of their neighborhood. One priority quickly rose to the top: creating a safe and welcoming space where families could gather. Residents pointed to the common area of their property, where unsafe playground equipment sat unused. There was no shade, no comfortable place to sit, and no safe environment for children to play.
They dreamed of a space that could be transformed—a place where parents could relax, children could safely play, and neighbors could come together.
The Right Connection at the Right Time
Around the same time, The Chapin Foundation identified an opportunity. Just down the road at the Boys and Girls Club of the Grand Strand, a playground was due to be removed. Rather than see it go to waste, they asked an important question: Could this be the answer to the prayers of Carver Apartment residents?
It was. And Habitat had the volunteers, tools, and know-how to make it happen.
Building Together
With the support of The Chapin Foundation and in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat volunteers carefully relocated and rebuilt the playground for Carver Apartments. But the project didn’t stop there.
Volunteers also upgraded the neighborhood’s basketball court, installed new picnic tables, and planted shade trees—ensuring the space would be both safe and inviting for years to come.
A Testament to Partnership
This project is a powerful reminder of what happens when neighbors and community partners come together. Residents voiced their priorities. The Chapin Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club stepped up with resources. Habitat volunteers brought the tools, skills, and energy.
Together, a vacant area was transformed into a safe, vibrant gathering place—a place where children can laugh, parents can connect, and the seeds of community can grow.
At Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, we are proud to be part of these kinds of collaborations. Because when we build together, we don’t just build structures—we build community and hope.