Be the Light: Susan Ash and the Mission of Liza’s Lifeline

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On a quiet morning in Park Circle, Okeeba Jubalo sat down with Susan Ash for Coffee with Okeeba to talk about an issue that continues to devastate families across South Carolina: domestic violence. Ash, a nonprofit leader and the driving force behind Liza’s Lifeline, has dedicated her career to building safety nets for survivors while working to change the systems that often fail them.

The organization was founded in memory of Liza Warner, a young woman from Buffalo, New York, who was killed by her husband 20 years ago. “She was a hairdresser who got offered a job at Bumble and Bumble in New York City,” Ash explained. “Her spouse didn’t want to move… things got progressively worse. He eventually ripped the hinges off the door, killed her, and then killed himself. And here we are 20 years later.”

For Ash, the story is not just history—it is the reason Liza’s Lifeline exists. “The core values are still there: safety, security. Everybody deserves a safe place to lay their head at night,” she said.

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Okeeba Jubalo & Susan Ash

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Meeting Daily Needs While Building Futures

South Carolina consistently ranks among the top five states for domestic violence homicides. For survivors, the immediate challenges—shelter, transportation, financial stability—can make the difference between breaking free or staying trapped.

“There’s the stopgap: the day-to-day needs of victims and survivors. And then there’s the long-term goal of getting them out of survival mode so they don’t return to their abuser,” Ash said. “The day-to-day and long-term go hand-in-hand.”

One recent example illustrates this balance. Journalist Mandy Matney and her husband David Moses donated a car to Liza’s Lifeline. Ash and her team matched it with a mother of two. “It was an instant game changer,” Ash said. “It made her no longer reliant on anybody else. It gave her the freedom to move around the Tri-County area, especially in a place without good infrastructure for someone without a car.”

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Moving at the Speed of Trust

Ash credits the nonprofit’s resilience to its culture of transparency. “Somebody told me this a couple of years ago: we’re moving at the speed of trust,” she said. “Our board and volunteers have beautiful lanes that they drive in, and when you combine them, it creates a beautiful nonprofit.”

That trust extends to listening carefully to the community. “We think about the big things—affordable housing, infrastructure—but sometimes it’s as simple as a cell phone or a

Ring camera,” Ash explained. “Things you and I take for granted can be critical to someone’s safety.”

Advocacy Beyond Charity

Liza’s Lifeline is not just providing emergency aid; it’s also pushing for legislative change. Ash co-authored House Bill 3569, a bipartisan effort that would allow domestic violence survivors to break leases without financial penalty or eviction records. “We are one of only eight states that doesn’t have that law,” Ash said. “There are rules for people with money and rules for people without. Sadly, our justice system reflects that divide.”

To support its work, the nonprofit launched Liza’s Light, a jewelry line of gold, bronze, and silver charms that raise funds for direct services and advocacy. The proceeds help fuel everything from emergency financial aid to lobbying efforts at the State House.

The Human Cost—and the Human Drive

Running a nonprofit, Ash admits, isn’t easy. “It’s humbling. It’s not for the faint of heart,” she said. “It’s very hard when you’re funding it from the kitchen table. People don’t always understand that.” Yet her commitment remains unwavering: “I’ve been an activist and advocate my entire career. You follow your passion.”

Ash will bring that passion to the Global Art Fair in October, where she will serve as a panelist and showcase Liza’s Lifeline’s work. For her, every opportunity is another chance to build awareness and expand the lifeline for survivors who need it most.

“Safety and security are human rights,” Ash emphasized. “That’s what keeps us going.”

For more information or to support, visit lizaslifelinesc.org.

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