About Family Life Outreach

History:

In 2000, our first event was about bringing awareness to hunger through the use of music. The event was heavily attended and there were performances by several award-winning artists. The funding was a challenge, but the town pulled together and donated plenty of food for the people in need. At that point, we realized that there is truly a need for an organization to assist the poor in our community. People will come together and help if someone is there to organize it.

Our mission evolved as we began coordinating more events for food drives, disaster relief, and feeding the elderly. It affirmed our belief that Family Life Outreach’s calling was to assist those that are in need.

In 2003 during a small ice storm, Family Life put on a free Christmas concert that was attended by 1100 people. Despite the bad weather, we raised plenty of gifts and food for the United Way’s Department of social service, and the Richland County Children’s Hospital. We received so many donations that even our storage, which at the time was Admin. Assistant Roberta Langley two-car garage was not enough room to hold the abundance of gifts. The staff delivered all the gifts to the children at the cancer center in Columbia, South Carolina. The reactions from all the children just reaffirmed that serving those in need was our calling.

Since then Family Life partners with other organizations and even runs an After School Program and Homework Center for children. We are trying to encourage them in their studies and keep them off of the streets. We currently have an average of 90% A’s and B’s amongst these children, along with most making honor roll on a regular basis. These are children that were not expected to do well or even stay in school.

Family Life is now in the process of trying to purchase land and a building to expand it's services for the needy and impoverished. Our further expansion plans include partnering with other small organizations and churches across the South (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia) to share knowledge and increase services.

Founder:

Charlie “Bishop” Mayes, a native of Suffolk, Virginia, founded Family Life Outreach. He has been a Pastor/Bishop in North Carolina for over 30 years. Bishop Mayes (as he is known to his close friends) believes in following the footsteps of Jesus. He lives his life with the philosophy of being merciful and kind always being mindful of the poor and unfortunate.

He has been involved in community events long before Family Life Outreach came along. He and his wife (Delores Mayes) also continue to help other ministries. With prayer and support, he oversees Family Life Outreach events; from Food Drives to managing the clothing bins (which are used for gifting to the poor). In the month of October this year was one of the most successful - raising 6000 lbs of clothes!

Pastor Brian Mayes:

Brian Mayes is the manager and operator of the Christian Band "Heavenbound". This organization donates its services by providing singing concerts at no charge to help smaller ministries and churches. Also he and his wife are directors in the teenage after school resource center that provides study sessions, computer training and hot meals for some of Camden South Carolina’s underprivileged children. Brian is also provides mentoring services for some high school and helping them to begin thinking about a college career.

Roberta Langley:

Roberta is a full time employee for South Carolina’s Community Schools and works in the Community Relations Department. She spends all day mentoring children including after school programs.

Both Brian and Roberta balance their spare time between involvement with hunger projects and providing programs at the center to help keep children off the streets.

Family Life Outreach’s Executive Board: