About Us

    The Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons, Inc. (CAAP) was established in 1979 to coordinate existing services and emergency assistance for domestic violence victims and their families, as well as development of an emergency shelter program in Aiken County.

    The Center later expanded to include rape crisis services to adults and children of child sexual abuse. Our satellite offices in Edgefield and Barnwell Counties provide services to Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties.

    The Cumbee Center also coordinates a batter’s program, known as Unity, to provide counseling services for the abuser. Most often, batters are sentenced through the court system to attend the 26-week program.

    The Cumbee Center, a non-profit agency, could not provide services free of charge without community support. The United Way of Aiken, Barnwell and Edgefield Counties fund around half of the Cumbee Center’s budget. The Cumbee Center also receives support through several grants allocated by the state of South Carolina as well as private donations.

    Originally named the Coalition to Assist Abused Persons, the name changed in 1995 to the Cumbee Center, in honor of a longtime, dedicated board member and volunteer John Cumbee. He assisted the Cumbee Center for several years with everything from budget matters to painting until his unexpected death in 1994.