COLUMBIA, S.C. -- As the Christmas holiday approaches, members of the Benedict College women's basketball team continued to be a "Power for Good" in the community by volunteering at Transitions on Wednesday, December 17th.

"Their professionalism, hard work, compassion, and friendliness left an impression on everyone they came into contact with. The Lady Tigers exemplify Benedict's values, and are a power for good in society," said Community Resources Manager Johns Dawkins. "Homelessness is a difficult issue and without the help of you as volunteers and other like-minded citizens, we could not provide all the services that we need to."

Transitions is based on public-private partnerships, who receive support from the local governments of Richland County, Lexington County, the City of West Columbia and the City of Columbia. Other major supporters to date include the United Way of the Midlands, City Center Partnership, the Kresge Foundation, and the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Emergency Shelter Grant). Transitions house over 200 people per night in various programs. A Day Center is available for approximately 100-125 people daily that engages people who are on the street into services by meeting basic needs like showers, laundry, meals, mail and clothing. Comprehensive services are provided to support clients as they achieve independence, including assertive community outreach, assessment, case management, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, health care, employment counseling and placement, and housing placement.

The Benedict women's basketball team will continue to work hard this season in the community and outreach endeavors to contribute towards the Citizenship Award for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The Student Athlete Advisory Committee guided by Ms. Loraine Dunbar, is a NCAA mandated committee that is made up of student-athletes. Student-athletes from around the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), through their SAAC programs, compete all year long to acquire points by completing community service projects and other initiatives on campus and in the community.