A Spotlight On Homeless Outreach with Angie Shirley, Homeless Outreach Coordinator
At United Way of Kershaw County, our mission has always been centered on serving our neighbors — especially those facing hunger, homelessness, and hardship. Every member of our team brings their own passion, faith, and perspective to this work. In this feature, we’re highlighting one of those voices — a powerful reflection on what it means to serve others, to understand homelessness beyond the stereotypes, and to find hope even in the hardest places. We sat down with Homeless Outreach Coordinator Angie Shirley, to talk about homelessness in our county, and why working to end it is important.
What inspired you to start working with United Way?
I wanted to join the United Way of KC team because it reminded me of what the Church was called to do. We take care of the least of these. The elderly, the poor, the afflicted, the homeless, the hungry, the children, those who are in need in our community.
What does the mission of United Way mean to you personally?
The Mission is very personal to me because we are an organization that knows that to be a leader means to help others lead. Our community being united is very important in being a strong community. We meet the needs of KC by uniting the hearts, minds, and resources.
How has your work here changed your perspective on homelessness in our community?
My work here has not changed my perspective on homelessness but helped me gain knowledge, resources, and joining others who are passionate about not enabling homelessness but understanding that people are not broken overnight and they are not fixed overnight. Understanding that working with the homeless is not always an immediate or easy fix.
What do you think people misunderstand most about homelessness?
I think people misunderstand most about homelessness is the stereotype that everyone is just lazy and needs to get a job. People who are homeless in our community are each unique in their own struggles. Many have mental health issues, addiction, childhood trauma, and many times a combination of all of those. We have a rising growth of elderly losing their housing because they cannot survive off of Social Security. There are many who have lost housing due to the rising cost of housing, utilities, etc. Most have no family and no resources. We have youth who are aging out of foster care. We are charged with standing in the gap for these individuals and helping to get them the help, support, and services that they need so that they can find stability, healing, and the most basic of human needs. Shelter, clothes, and food.
Why do you believe outreach and direct engagement are so important in addressing homelessness?
Outreach is extremely important because we are human beings. When you are homeless you are living in crisis daily trying to survive. Coming into an office is a very cold experience. I meet them where they are and get to know them with no other agenda except to want to be their friend and figure out how we can help him them.
Can you share a moment or story that reminded you why this work matters?
Sharing one moment is hard. Every moment in doing this work helps me to keep going. From seeing them get into housing, recovery, to finding the perfect size coat in the closet, to giving them a shoulder to cry on and being a friend to listen. To watching the light in their eyes slowly turn on after feeling so alone and on their own for so long.
In your opinion, what’s the most powerful way the community can help?
I believe that the most powerful way a community can help is by being aware of what is going on in their community. In my faith as a Christian, we are all called for something different, but we are called to help. Some can help with their time, some with money, and some with resources, some with prayers. I believe the adage that a community’s strength is measured by how it helps its weakest members.
What does hope look like to you when it comes to ending homelessness?
I do not believe that we will ever end homelessness. It will always be a constant fight because their will always be the poor, mental illness, etc. Yet working together and providing the resources, housing, shelter, and services that we need can greatly decrease it.
Closing Reflection
This conversation captures the heart of United Way of Kershaw County’s mission — not just to provide services, but to walk beside those in need with compassion, dignity, and understanding. Ending homelessness may not be possible, but reducing it, responding to it, and restoring hope absolutely are.