Friends of Morning Light: A Community Answering the Call to Serve
In Charleston, a city known for its beauty and hospitality, an unseen crisis is growing. More than 300 school-aged children in Charleston County are experiencing homelessness. Mothers with children make up 36% of those seeking emergency shelter, yet no transitional housing exists to help them rebuild their lives.
For Friends of Morning Light, the question isn’t whether to act—it’s how quickly.
In October 2024, a group of women, invited by Lizl Kotz, toured Star Gospel Mission to learn about its transitional housing program for men. What began as an informational visit became a life-altering moment. Walking through the facility, they felt the undeniable presence of God in every story, every space, and every person they encountered. They learned about the SGM program and the transformative pathways that have changed men’s lives—lives restored through a safe place to call home, supportive counseling, and a foundation of faith.
Standing in the parking lot afterward, they struggled to leave. Their hearts were heavy, not just with the stories they had heard, but with the urgent need for more. One month later, they formed Friends of Morning Light—a movement dedicated to providing transitional housing for mothers and children through Star Gospel Mission.
Their mission is bold but clear: raise $4 million to build Morning Light Village, a safe and stable home where families can heal, rebuild, and move forward with dignity. This vision includes four homes—two existing, one move-in ready by spring, and two newly built. Charleston has shelters, but no transitional housing for women and children. That is about to change.
“This is our town. These are our children. And we will not rest until every mother and child has a safe place to call home,” said Shea Chambers, co-chair of Friends of Morning Light.
The movement expands a 120-year-old mission that has already changed thousands of lives. Founded in 1904 by Obadiah Dugan, Star Gospel Mission has long been a refuge for men facing homelessness, addiction, and hardship. For decades, the organization also served women and children—until Hurricane Hugo destroyed their housing in 1989. The funding to rebuild never came.
Now, under the leadership of Dr. Marion Platt, that will finally change.
Dr. Platt’s journey began at age 11 when he volunteered at a Salvation Army shelter and saw a man write “under the bridge” as his address. That moment planted a vision in his heart—to create a place where no one would feel discarded. After serving in the U.S. Army, he spent 20 years with the Salvation Army, leading efforts to help men overcome addiction and homelessness. When the opportunity arose to lead Star Gospel Mission, he knew he had been called to carry forward its legacy of redemption.
“This is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a community where redemption is possible, where hope has a home,” he said.
Ethan’s story is a powerful example of the impact of Star Gospel Mission. He arrived exhausted, addicted, and estranged from his family, having lost everything—his job, his home, and his relationships. In Phase One, he found a warm bed and hot meals—one of 10,676 nights of shelter and 25,946 meals provided in 2024. With support, he progressed to Phase Two, securing a job, paying off debt, and regaining stability through 1,536 hours of life-changing classes and 570 one-on-one chaplain interactions. By Phase Three, he was living independently and rebuilding his relationships. That Christmas, for the first time in years, he sat at a family dinner table.
“I spent Christmas with my dad,” he shared, tears streaming down his face. “For the first time, I felt whole.”
His story is one of thousands. In 2024 alone, 2,028 people found strength through Star Gospel Mission’s chapel services. Yet, women and children still lack a place to turn.
Imagine a mother, exhausted from months of instability, walking through the doors of Morning Light Village for the first time. She no longer has to put her children to sleep in a car. She no longer has to choose between food or rent. She no longer has to wonder if anyone cares. Here, she will find safe, stable housing, tutoring and emotional support for her children, job training, financial guidance, and family counseling to heal from trauma and rebuild trust.
Just two months after that pivotal tour, Friends of Morning Light hosted their first fundraiser—a Christmas gathering that became a celebration of hope and purpose. The response was overwhelming. People want to be part of something meaningful. People want to be part of a story that changes lives.
“The Morning Light program provides an opportunity for our community to act on behalf of these mothers and children and bring beautiful transformation to their lives,” said Michelle Owenby.
Tonight, another mother will put her child to sleep in a car. Another child will wake up hungry, unsure of where they’ll live next. But we can change that.
Together, we can build a future where no mother or child faces homelessness alone. Help us bring Morning Light to life.
🔗 Get Involved Today! Visit stargospelmission.org/friends or email friends@stargospelmission.org.
Friends of Morning Light Co-Chairs:
Shea Chambers – Co-Chair, Friends of Morning Light & Board Member, Star Gospel Mission
Michelle Owenby – Co-Chair, Friends of Morning Light, Star Gospel Mission
