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Faith leaders in Orangeburg meet to discuss solutions to community issues

In a meeting Tuesday, a local group of pastors met with the community to talk about issues plaguing Organgeburg and how they can take actionable steps to solve them.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Pastors and community members met at the Orangeburg Library on Tuesday to talk about what actions they are taking to address problems like healthcare access, gun violence, and business stimulation for the local economy. 

"We didn't come to be policemen, we did not come to be teachers, but we come to let you know that we are here, and when you need us, call us because we're going to make an impact in our community," said one pastor. 

The organization calls itself the faith group for action and they've met a few times already, but on Tuesday they met to bring the community what they have so far and explain what their 6 focus points will be. 

"Education, law enforcement, politics, faith, business, and health awareness," said one minister.

The group explained that they have after-school resources available at all the participating local churches, and a mentoring partnership going with the Orangeburg School District.

They are also working with NAMI and MUSC to get more accessible health resources to the community.

Trying to partner the state department of mental health with the sheriff's office to bring crisis intervention teams to local law enforcement as well.

As the group brought several solutions forward, members of the public brought more questions and comments to the discussion.

These concerns were why people like Gloria Kirkland, came out.

"You have the colleges here, but what we want to do is get young people in so that they too can see what's happening in the town, so they don't just go to college, and pack their bags and leave," Kirkland said.

The group says they will have monthly meetings to continue bringing people together and discussing community issues so they can work with county and city leaders toward solutions. 

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