Summerville council issues proclamations, honors local nonprofits and police officers

The Summerville Town Council on Nov. 13 issued a series of proclamations recognizing local nonprofits, cultural observances and community policing efforts.

The council proclaimed November 2025 as Homelessness Awareness Month and commended Keys to Change—a Summerville-based nonprofit—for providing transitional housing and support services, noting the organization’s new men’s facility was made possible by state, county and town capital funds. "Keys to Change has provided transitional housing and support services to over a thousand unhoused men and women and is recognized as the county's only shelter of its kind," the proclamation read.

Council members also proclaimed November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month, citing the regional tribe’s role in preserving history and culture in Berkeley and Dorchester counties. The council approved a resolution naming 11/29/2025 as Small Business Saturday and recognized Help of Summerville on its 50th anniversary, noting the agency’s emergency assistance work funded by individuals, businesses, faith communities and small grants.

The council accepted a presentation from the Dignity Project, a citizen group that partners with the police department, and presented awards to officers nominated by community members. James Young and members of the Dignity Project read multiple citizen letters praising officers for community engagement and compassion; one letter named Officer Richard Crist and described a supportive interaction during a traumatic period for the writer.

The proclamations and awards were presented as part of the meeting’s opening ceremony; council approved the items by voice vote and moved on to the regular agenda.