our Initiatives

Metanoia is a nonprofit organization incorporated to provide programs, create opportunities, and engage in other activities that promote and support community development. We are defined by our community-based leadership and community-oriented goals, which were identified by community residents beginning in 2002: a safe and nurturing place for children after school, quality affordable housing, and economic re-energizing of disinvested North Charleston neighborhoods.

While these are the three core areas of focus for Metanoia, within each are many separate and important initiatives that have become the foundational building blocks for the work we do every day.

Youth leadership

Scholars work year-round to build character, commit to excellence, and exhibit the presence of a leader. Young leaders are simultaneously focusing on academics, creating opportunities for themselves, and building leadership skills in these three areas.

Affordable housing

Guided by strong voices from within the community to address housing problems, we learned that, to guarantee student success, neighborhood families needed access to attainable housing options. This led to Metanoia’s affordable housing initiative beginning in 2005.

Economic development

We recognize a healthy community is one where individuals have genuine opportunities for earned income. That income must also remain in our community through additional chances for local spending that increases economic mobility for us all.

Our Culture

Metanoia is collaborative, relaxed, and results-oriented with a strong culture and reputation that we depend on everyone in our community of volunteers, supporters, and staff to carry forward. It is the nature of our work together to experience days of both exhilaration and heartache but faithfulness to our mission remains more important than any victory or loss we may experience. We ask that you remain open to growth in our community and within yourself. When we work together, we see positive changes both around us AND within us.

98%

of CDF Freedom School®️ students gained or maintained reading levels over the summer

The CDF Freedom Schools®️ program is the only six-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program with a key focus on social justice.

179

essential repairs completed for homeowners to preserve their leading family asset

Our homeowner repair program assists with health and safety issues related to a major system - electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or roofing.

125+

quality jobs created in partnership with The Urban Electric Company since 2015

A local manufacturing facility continues to co-create jobs with living wages, paid leave, fringe benefits, and career growth opportunities.