Womens Community Residence

Pros

• Reviewers say Sistercare provides vital services to survivors and their families, with free counseling and licensed social workers empowering them.
• The staff are described as caring, supportive, and going above and beyond to help women in hard times.
• The program is credited with helping women dress for job opportunities by providing outfits.
• Kim (Ms. Kim) is described as incredible, genuinely caring, and dedicated to helping everyone she meets.
• Kimberly is praised as the best counselor who works hard to assist anyone who comes through the door.
• Ms. Kim and Ms. Nina are highlighted as the best counselors who make clients feel warm and comfortable.
• Ms. Tia is called a godsend, with the organization described as professional and responsive to needs.
• The team is praised as wonderful, proactive, and focused on safety and follow-up after traumatic events.
• Sistercare is seen as an awesome program that helps women get back on their feet and reintegrate into society.
• They are recognized for providing resources at almost all phases of escaping violence.

Cons

• The hotline staff are rude and unprofessional, making callers feel they should have stayed with their attacker.
• The organization is no help at all and the staff are rude, with donations reportedly kept for themselves.
• The overall experience was very disheartening and an emotional setback.
• Sistercare is lacking and provides little help for women.
• They describe Sistercare as totally useless.
• They dump people after a year and lose important documents.
• They ignore calls and emails about legitimate requests.
• They primarily help women with kids and only direct others to temporary shelters.

Review

The collection of reviews paints a complex, almost dual portrait of Sistercare. On one hand, many survivors describe the organization as a crucial lifeline during a terrifying and unstable time. They recount receiving real help that made a tangible difference for themselves and their families, including emotional support, practical resources, and a sense that someone was in their corner as they tried to escape violence. People talk about clothing and other donations that enabled them to look and feel prepared for job interviews, about follow-up after traumatic events, and about staff who advocated for safety, housing, and counseling. For some parents, especially those with young children, Sistercare felt like a dependable ally that helped them become stronger mothers and more empowered individuals.

Several reviewers singled out specific staff members who made a lasting impact. Kim is repeatedly praised for her genuine care and persistent efforts to remind women that they are strong. Nina and the other counselors are described as warm and comforting, helping to create a space where clients felt seen and protected. Mrs. Young is noted for staying on top of things, ensuring clients were safe, cared for, and connected to resources when needed. One reviewer called a particular advocate and counselor "Ms. Tia" a godsend, expressing deep gratitude for her professionalism and responsiveness. Across these accounts, the thread is clear: knowledgeable, compassionate staff can transform a frightening experience into something more navigable through steady advocacy and follow-through.

The program's counseling services and lack of out-of-pocket costs are highlighted as major positives. Several reviewers emphasize that there is never a charge for counseling and that the agency staffs licensed professionals dedicated to empowering survivors. The accessibility of these services - whether through crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, or assistance with legal advocacy - appears to be a defining strength for many. The combination of emotional support with practical resources (like safety planning and referrals to other services) is repeatedly noted as a key benefit. For families who have faced acute danger, this continuity and depth of care can be life-changing, even if it doesn't solve every problem immediately.

Of course, the same body of reviews does not omit serious criticisms. A number of individuals describe a troubling experience with the hotline and some frontline staff as rude or unprofessional, leaving them feeling dehumanized or judged at a moment of vulnerability. Others report delays in getting connected to advocates after calls or referrals, with some saying they were told an advocate would call the next day but never heard back. Several reviewers argued that resources are limited or uneven, and that the agency sometimes seems to direct people toward shelters or other pathways without delivering sustained support. The perception that "they dump you after a year" or that "they are no help at all" for people who don't fit certain profiles adds to a sense of inconsistency in outcomes and expectations.

There are also practical concerns about how the organization operates. Some reviewers mention that services or donations were not available at certain times (for example, being closed due to the Corona virus or not accepting clothing donations and instead directing people to other resources). There are complaints about the handling of donations, with a few saying that donations were kept for staff or that only brand-new items are accepted. Others describe systemic frustrations, such as feeling that referrals from hotlines were not followed up promptly or that the agency's capacity to meet everyone's needs is limited. A recurring sentiment is that while Sistercare can be a powerful anchor for some, it appears to struggle to meet the needs of all clients in a consistent, timely way.

A final throughline is the sense that Sistercare's impact is highly dependent on context and individual experiences. For many, the organization is described as a godsend and a beacon of hope in an otherwise devastating situation. They emphasize the importance of Staff like Ms. Tia and Kim in turning a crisis into a pathway toward safety, stability, and longer-term well-being. Yet for others, the experience feels uneven - marked by long waits, limited resources, and interactions that fall short of the compassionate care they expected. The reviews collectively acknowledge the essential, life-saving potential of Sistercare while also calling attention to areas where improvements - particularly in communication, responsiveness, and resource consistency - could make the services more reliable for every survivor who reaches out.

In sum, Sistercare emerges as a potent but imperfect resource in the realm of domestic violence support. It is cherished by many who have benefited from its counseling, advocacy, and practical assistance, and it is critiqued by others who felt unheard, mismanaged, or underserved. The overarching message is clear: when the organization works well on a given day - with responsive advocates, welcoming counselors, and tangible aids - it can be transformative. When it doesn't, the gaps can be acutely painful for those already navigating fear, uncertainty, and the responsibilities of protecting themselves and their children.

This part of West Columbia, South Carolina, offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple pharmacies in close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare services is convenient. There are also several dining options nearby, ranging from fast food to cafes for a casual meal out. Physicians' offices specializing in various medical fields are within a short driving distance, providing easy access to healthcare services. The area is surrounded by parks and nature trails, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, the presence of hospitals and emergency rooms ensures quick access to medical care when needed. Transportation services such as rental car agencies and airports make it easy for seniors to travel both locally and beyond.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Medicine Mart Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Agape Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Savage Craft Ale Works (1.5 miles)
• New Brookland Tavern (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Freshe Poke (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• The Foot Institute (0.4 miles)
• Advanced Fertility (2.2 miles)
• South Carolina Oncology Associates (2.3 miles)
• Three Rivers Pain Management (2.5 miles)
• Future Psych Solutions (2.7 miles)
• Emmons Ellen M - Lexington Ent (2.8 miles)
• Riverside Surgical Group (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Piecewise Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (2.7 miles)
• The Corner Blend (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Drip (3.7 miles)

Parks

• West Columbia Riverwalk (1.7 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (2.3 miles)
• Saluda Riverwalk (2.3 miles)
• Hollywood Park (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Lexington Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.8 miles)
• National Car Rental (3.6 miles)
• USO Columbia Airport (3.6 miles)
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) (3.8 miles)