Lowcountry Youth Services (LYS) received a $40,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, to support middle and high school youth in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties with the skill-building and mentoring support they need to succeed in every area of their lives.
They learn the values of accountability, community, consistency, diversity, empowerment, integrity and a commitment to success.
The funds will support staffing, program benefits and group outings.
“Lowcountry Youth Services has been striving to offer the best youth development programs in the tri-county area since 2009. Despite our limited resources, we are proud of our achievements so far,” said ReZsaun Lewis, Lowcountry Youth Services executive director. “However, partnering with organizations like Power:Ed will enable us not only to sustain the services we take pride in but also to expand our programs, reaching out to even more youth.”
LYS enhances education through community-based and in-school initiatives. Its programs, including Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club, Queens’ Being, Girls on the Rise, and Young Men Rise, engage youth and foster a positive learning environment, providing essential life skills, leadership, responsibility and decision-making.
These programs are designed to engage and empower youth, creating a positive and supportive learning environment that instills college and career readiness through youth-centered mentorship.
“Lowcountry Youth Services has a great reputation, and we are pleased to help the organization support more area youth in achieving their full potential,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons. “The ultimate goal is to achieve positive outcomes, such as better family relationships, increased high school graduations, and higher college enrollment rates for boys and girls of color.”
In fiscal year 2023-24, Power:Ed will award $1 million in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations. In this third quarter, Power:Ed has awarded five grants (including this grant to LYS) totaling $185,000.
Grants are administered quarterly; the next grant funding deadline is April 1.
