Community Interest
Social Mission: Sistercare + Songbird Café
With each issue this year, Fig has been privileged to partner with Sistercare. This non-profit empowers survivors of domestic violence in Richland, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Kershaw counties by providing emergency shelter and community-based services.
With each issue this year, Fig has been privileged to partner with Sistercare. This non-profit empowers survivors of domestic violence in Richland, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Kershaw counties by providing emergency shelter and community-based services. From teen outreach programs to legal representation, court advocacy, housing, individual and group counseling, and more, Sistercare has served nearly 12,000 women and children in the past three years alone.
One of Sistercare’s yearly highlights is Songbird Café, a musical fundraiser inspired by Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café, that brings national talent to Columbia for an evening of intimate song in storyteller fashion. With the help of Musical Director, Ricky Wright, Sistercare has welcomed acts like Darius Rucker, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel and more for 20 years. “What’s so unique is that the event is not a huge concert. We like the singer-songwriter feel and keep it small intentionally,” says Leah Wicevic, Executive Director of Sistercare. With limited seating and a fantastic spread catered by longtime friends at Southern Way Catering, Songbird Café typically sells out before it goes on sale to the public. “We encourage people and organizations to become sponsors. That’s how we make the biggest impact and raise the most funds for the domestic violence survivors and children we serve,” Leah continues. Although the music might be the initial draw, their mission takes center stage every October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month as survivors share stories of strength.
“42% of South Carolina women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. It doesn’t discriminate,” Leah states. The harrowing realities of domestic violence and a night of beautiful music might seem like an unlikely pair, but Leah affirms that, through awareness, education, and fundraising, “we are able to make our community a safer and healthier place.” With every guitar strum, Songbird Café breaks the silence through sound—because no one deserves to live in fear.
The 21st annual Songbird Café will take place on October 26th at the USC Alumni Center. To attend, contact Leah at lwicevic@sistercare.com for sponsorship information.
“Sistercare allows those in dire need of help the opportunity to understand that they are not alone. I always look forward to getting the call to perform.”
Patrick Davis, SC native and acclaimed Nashville singer & songwriter
Photos by Everett Zuraw at the ’22 Songbird Café Fundraiser
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