Charleston Community Raises $150,000, Gives Back to CYDC’s Children

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This letter appeared in our email newsletter distributed the week of February 6. To sign up to receive these newsletters so you can learn more about the children and programs of CYDC, please click here.

Dear Supporters,

As we begin the second month of 2012, we are reflecting on the kindness of countless individuals, businesses and organizations that provided the children and youth in our programs with a holiday season to remember. From the students of Horizon House Clinical Day School and the Littles served Big Brothers Big Sisters, to the children and youth in our group home and shelters, we thank you. For our children who live with us, and for whom the holidays are especially difficult, your support helped us to provide a season of normalcy with your wonderful gifts and invitations to so many community events and activities.

Your contributions were varied — some of you dropped off homemade meals or delicious baked goods while others collected coats to keep our children warm or non perishables to stock our kitchens — as were the businesses and organizations you represented, including churches, entire school communities, student groups, government agencies and more. Our complete list of holiday helpers appears below.*

AGFA Materials Corp.
Animal Helpers ReTAIL
ASMC
Bank of America
Barre Evolution
Blackbaud
Blackbeard’s Cove
Booz Allen Hamilton
Lynn Branton
Amanda Cain
Cane Bay High School
Charleston School of Law Children’s Advocacy and Family Law Society
Charleston Southern University Pre-Pharmacy Club
CGI
College of Charleston Chapter, Psi Chi
Colonial Properties
Colonial Village at Hampton Pointe
Cooper River Baptist Church
Curves of West Ashley
Devon Pointe
Ben and Sara DeWolf
Chris Duc
Ebenezer AME Church
Octavia Edwards
Tracy Emond / ThinkFun
Essex at Carolina Bay
Ethan Allen
Chaka Francis
High Cotton
Historic Charleston Foundation
Home Telecom
The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
Hunley Park Elementary School
Valerie Jackson
James Island Charter High School FBLA
Gayle Jinks
JW Aluminum
K-Con Building Systems
Leisure Depot
Liberty Tap Room
Life Cycle Engineering
Lowe’s
Doug MacIntyre
Medical University of South Carolina Multicultural Graduate Student Association
Messiah Lutheran Church
Amy Monsky
Motley Rice LLC
North Charleston Elementary School
Northwoods Academy
The Office of the Registrar, College of Charleston
Office of the Solicitor, Ninth Judicial Circuit
Old St. Andrews Parish Church
Pegasus Steel
Pointe North Community Church
Portside Baptist Church
Tommy Pruitt
Quoizel
Secure Mission Solutions
Syd Shuler
Allen Smith
Karen Smith
Wally Burbage and Associates Insurance
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

*A list of those who gave monetary donations will be included in our Bi-Annual Report in the Fall of 2012.

Joining our team of holiday helpers again this year was MUSC Gives Back, the student volunteer program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). These generous volunteers, who have been working to provide our children with holiday cheer for the past 15 years, provided each child with gifts. They also donated gifts for our homes that included video games, books, linen and stuffed animals. Our staff tells us they heard many squeals of excitement as the children opened their gifts, as well as more than a few breathless comments of “This is the best Christmas ever!” We are so appreciative to all of you for your role in helping to make the holiday season memorable for our deserving children and youth.

We are also grateful for the support of those in the community who supported us with donations to The Post and Courier‘s Good Cheer Fund. With these funds, we provided critical assistance to some of the families of children served by our Horizon House Clinical Day School program, preventing eviction and providing help with utility bills, allowing them to enjoy the holidays safe and warm at home. We also provided gift cards to single parents whose children are Littles in our Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.

In addition to acknowledging your kindness, we are celebrating the accomplishments of a few young men who lived in our group homes and benefited from the innovative programs in the Bakker Career Center. These success stories remind us daily of the importance of our mission and inspire us to work harder to ensure there are even more happy endings to our children’s stories.

Last week as I was reading through emails before heading to a meeting, I saw a familiar face pop in to my office. I broke into a smile as Robbie, who lived in our Oak Grove group home a few years ago made his way into my office. He had his new wife, Leah, with him and excitedly shared the news that they expecting their first child! Robbie was the first to complete the Bakker Career Center’s Leadership for Life Program and later helped to develop the graphic arts program at the Center. After a difficult upbringing, he flourished in our care, completing his GED before enlisting in the National Guard, securing employment at Zeus, Inc., buying a car and finding a place of his own to live! All of us at CYDC are pleased to see that he has developed into a happy, well adjusted young man.

Later that week, our staff and residents gathered on campus to offer well wishes to two young men who also lived with us and participated in the Bakker Center’s programs. Raheem, pictured left, is a former Bakker Scholar who worked for both Staples and Converse applying skills he learned in the Bakker Center. A graduate of Wando High School, Raheem left after the celebration for National Guard basic training. Sharing the honors with Raheem at the celebration was John, a young man who finished his high school classes at West Ashley High School last fall. John, who first came to us as a resident of Oak Grove group home, is a former Bakker Scholar and Ambassador whose work ethic and pleasant attitude were repeatedly praised by his employer. He is interested in pursuing a future in the military, and we’re certain he will excel at whatever he chooses!

We can’t thank you enough. It is your generosity, your support, and your belief that our children deserve a better future, that allows them to fulfill dreams they thought impossible and to achieve goals they believed were beyond their grasp. I am deeply grateful to you. Indeed, you make a difference!

Sincerely,

Barbara Kelley Duncan
Chief Executive Officer

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

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Together since 2004 when Terrence was just 8 years old, Bill is a 67-year old man, and Terrence is a 16-year old from a single parent home. Terrence* and Bill* enjoy each other's companyThe two have been matched for eight years, spending time with each other going out to eat, checking out local sporting events and talking on the phone. Bill also attends many of Terrence’s track meets and football games, and he provided assistance for Terrence to be able to attend a national track meet last summer.

Terrence’s mother, who has her hands full with three other children, credits Bill’s influence for helping to turn Terrence’s life around. She’s watched her son, who runs track and plays football, improve his grades from C’s and D’s to A’s and B’s.

“Without the support of [Bill], my son would likely be in jail,” says Terrence’s mom.

Bill and Terrence say they will continue to spend time together even though their official match support through Big Brothers Big Sisters ends this year when Terrence turns 16.

*Names have been changed.

January is National Mentoring Month — a time to celebrate the work of mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) in bringing together people like Bill and Terrence in successful mentoring relationships. National Mentoring Month is a nationwide initiative to call attention to the need for mentors in communities like the Lowcountry. Big Brothers Big Sisters of CYDC is the local affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the oldest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the country.

In addition to a need for African American male mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of CYDC also has an urgent and ongoing need for financial support of its programs. It takes about $1,000 a year to provide each Big-Little match with the volunteer training, match management, and match support that are the hallmarks of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. An investment in Big Brothers Big Sisters pays off BIG for the Lowcountry — compared to their peers, matched youth are 52% less likely to skip school and 54% less likely to get arrested.

Youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are primarily children of single, low-income or incarcerated parents, or they are in military families or are coping with other challenges.

“We hold ourselves accountable for the proven youth outcomes that are unique to Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs, including academic achievement; avoidance of risky and delinquent behaviors; and higher self esteem and aspirations,” said Barbara Kelley Duncan, CEO of Carolina Youth Development Center.

“Our committed board, volunteer leaders, and program and mentoring staff work with parents, volunteer mentors, donors and partners from the diverse communities we serve to give children who face adversity every opportunity to succeed. National Mentoring Month is a time to pay tribute to the Big Brothers Big Sisters village and to encourage others to Start Something to extend our reach.”

For more information on how you can get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center, click here to visit our website.

K-Con Continues a Tradition of Giving

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K-Con Building Systems, Inc. recently continued its tradition of giving to CYDC with the 13th Annual K-Con and Carolina Youth Development Center Thanksgiving Cookout on our North Charleston campus.

Folks gather for the meal for at the 2011 K-Con Thanksgiving CookoutThe day kicked off with a dozen K-Con employees on site to prepare the food. Led by Nate Albertson of Charleston Pickle Company, the volunteers fried 50 turkeys and cooked traditional Thanksgiving fare with a slight twist, including adding organic pickles to the stuffing.

Around 4:00 that afternoon, some 150 guests, including children in CYDC residential programs and children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of CYDC and Horizon House, gathered at the Pavilion for the meal. While the adults finished preparing the food, several of the children enjoyed outdoor activities like hula hoops and playing ball, while others got their faces painted, courtesy of talented artists Kathryn Johns and Melanie Franks, and made unique handmade crafts at craft stations set up by the folks at Strategic Online Marketing. Some of the children (and a few adults too!) danced to music provided by Bobby Geiger of Spotlight Entertainment. Called to the meal by the toll of the historic bell from the tower of the original Charleston Orphan House, all of the guests later came together to enjoy the meal, served by K-Con staff.

Event sponsors secured by K-Con included Apex Corp.; Austin Mohawk; Charleston Pickle Company; The Crab Shacks; DataSpring; Dow, Inc.; Impact Image Group; Mark Jackson Engineering; McNair Law Firm; Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery; Northwood Academy; Novus Architects; Nucor Steel; Overhead Door Company of Boston; Pride Electric; Reddy Ice; Schulte Building Systems; US Doorways; Vendue Inn; and Walmart.

Thankful for Altria’s Tradition of Giving

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A group of employees from Altria Group recently spent the day on a series of beautification and improvement projects outside of our Bakker Career Center. The group of 30 employees from Altria Group Distribution Company came from all over South Carolina (Charleston, Columbia, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach) and coastal Georgia, including Savannah, to give their time to some significant projects here. Volunteers from the Altria Group pose with the sign dedicating The Tree of New Beginnings

With project management and logistics support by Hands On Charleston, the group worked together to extend the rear patio of the Bakker Center, spread fresh pinestraw and plant annuals along the building’s perimeter, build new picnic tables and benches, erect a beautiful bird feeder (filled to the brim with tasty food for the our winged friends!) and put down splash blocks beneath the building’s gutters.

Hands on Charleston’s Wade Thompson says this is the fifth year his organization has worked as a liasion between Altria and CYDC; that day has come to be known on our campus as Altria’s Day of Sharing. Founded in 2006, Hands on Charleston is a local affiliate of the Hands On Network; the group has organized 4,000 volunteers on over 500 projects for organizations as diverse as Charleston County Parks and Recreation, the Lowcountry Food Bank and United Methodist Committee on Relief, thus helping Hands On Charleston to meet its goals.

“Our focus is…to create a pleasant, repeatable experience for the volunteer,” said Thompson.

Those goals were further met through Hands On Charleston’s successful partnership between Altria and CYDC. Of the 30 volunteers who came out that day, only four were first timers.

When asked why he decided to come out to CYDC, Altria employee Brian Kinsley had this to say.

“Just the work you guys do here. Serving children — it’s unbelievable work. To support people who work with children who are having trouble.”

Altria Group generously donated $15,000 to fund the projects undertaken today. The most significant of the projects included a sign naming The Tree of New Beginnings, which members of the Altria group came together with CYDC staff late today to dedicate. The Tree of New Beginnings is a 100+-year old tree behind the Bakker Center, so named by the children on campus last year because many of them felt it describes the second chance they receive at CYDC. The sign reads:

“This grand oak tree is a symbolic reminder to us all that no matter the Transitions we face, we too are firmly grounded, confident that we will overcome the Endings, navigate the Neutral Zone, and succeed in the New Beginnings.”

Since 2001, Altria Group has donated over $186,000 and its employees have given over 1,400 volunteer hours to various landscaping and maintenance projects at CYDC.

Carolina Youth Development Center Announces 2011 Board of Directors

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(Charleston, SC) – Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) announced today its 2011 Board of Directors. New members from the group of business and community leaders will participate in an orientation at the organization’s North Charleston campus this week.

Mount Pleasant accountant and business leader John F. Hyland of Hyland Ruddy & Garbett continues to lead the Board as its Chairperson. Rounding out the Board of Directors are the following individuals:

Bill Watson
Comcast
North Charleston, SC

Timothy J. Hyland
Charleston Cancer Center
North Charleston, SC

Abby Baker
Boeing
North Charleston, SC

James Bakker
McAlister Development
Charleston, SC

Dena A. Davis
Consultant
Charleston, SC

Kristen Grimm
The NECPA Commission
Mount Pleasant, SC

Wesley P. Harvey
Training & Consulting Solutions
Summerville, SC

Wilbur Johnson
Young Clement Rivers, LLP
Charleston, SC

Robert B. Johnston
InterTech Group, Inc.
North Charleston, SC

Patrick J. Kiernan
K-Con Building Systems
Charleston, SC

Wes Koch
Page 23 Media
Hanahan, SC

Sara R. Maniccia
Pulte Group
North Charleston, SC

Brenda Myers
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Moncks Corner, SC

Chuma Nwokike
Gallery Chuma
Charleston, SC

David F. Santos
Dodds & Hennessy, LLP
Charleston, SC

Douglas Smith
Ilderton Contractors
Awendaw, SC

Amy J. Spencer
Blackbaud
Charleston, SC

Decatur Ward Wilson, II
Wilson & Associates Developers, Inc.
North Charleston, SC

Members of the Board of Directors of CYDC serve three-year terms that run concurrent with the organization’s October to September fiscal year.

“We are excited to welcome this new slate of Board members as we begin a new year providing life-changing programs for at risk children and youth in the Lowcountry,” said Barbara Kelley Duncan, CEO of Carolina Youth Development Center.

About Carolina Youth Development Center:

Founded as the Charleston Orphan House in 1790, Carolina Youth Development Center’s nine programs are dedicated to providing shelter and support services to children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, and to helping these and other at-risk youth in the community become successful adults. Together these programs serve more than 600 children annually. For more information about Carolina Youth Development Center, visit our website at http://www.cydc.org.

Umphlett Family Donates $17,000 to Berkeley County’s Callen-Lacey Center for Children

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Callen-Lacey Center for Children, an emergency shelter program of Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC), has received a $17,000 donation from the family of late South Carolina Representative C. David Umphlett, Jr.

Umphlett Family makes donation in memory of late husband, father, C. David Umphlett, Jr.Located in Moncks Corner, Callen-Lacey Center for Children is the only emergency shelter for children in Berkeley County. Rep. Umphlett, along with his family, was a longtime supporter of the Center. His daughter, Karen Umphlett, is a member of Callen-Lacey’s Advisory Council, a committee of business and community supporters who help with fundraising and awareness on behalf of the Center. Rep. Umphlett died in May 2011.

The Umphlett family presented the $17,235 check to representatives of Callen-Lacey and CYDC at a recent meeting of Callen-Lacey’s Advisory Council.

CYDC Chief Executive Officer Barbara Kelley Duncan thanked the Umphlett family for their generous donation.

“Callen-Lacey continues to provide high quality services for children, and Rep. Umphlett was such an integral part of the Callen-Lacey family. His love for our children was always evident, and his generosity of spirit was admired and respected by all. I am deeply grateful that this contribution allows us to continue his legacy of service.”

Opened at its Moncks Corner location in 1998, Callen-Lacey Center for Children was developed in response to a critical need identified by a 1992 Trident United Way Needs Assessment which defined “children in crisis” as a top priority. Members of the community joined together to form the Give Me Shelter Committee which worked diligently to address this important issue. Because of its experience and success operating the Charleston Emergency Shelter, Berkeley County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Trident United Way asked CYDC to establish the shelter and assume responsibility for Callen-Lacey’s day-to-day operations.

Founded as the Charleston Orphan House in 1790, CYDC manages nine programs dedicated to housing and supporting the victims of child abuse and improving life opportunities for at-risk youth in the tri-county area of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. CYDC serves over 600 children annually. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities at CYDC, visit http://www.cydc.org, or call (843) 266-5200.

Win a Date for a Great Cause at the Charleston Rugby Charity Auction

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Charleston Rugby Charity AuctionAre you looking for a night out on the town with your favorite local celebrity or perhaps a strappingly handsome rugby player? Then you need to buy tickets to the Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Club’s Charleston Rugby Charity Auction. The second annual event will be held at the South Carolina Aquarium, Thursday, September 8, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in formal attire.

The night will be filled with celebrity guest stars, “Calhoun’s Calling” jamming the night away with an opening performance by Americas Got Talent sensation Nick Pike. 95SX’s Party Girl Kelly G and Joey’s Town Joe Girard will be co-emceeing while DJ Natty Heavy pumps up the jams. An open bar and hors d’oeuvres are included in the price of admission. This year’s event includes bachelors and bachelorettes who will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Celebrities being auctioned off range from radio DJs, news reporters, band members, and actors to local promoters, business owners, and rugby players. There will also be a selection of items for silent auction if you are on a tighter budget or just love to walk away with an incredible deal.

The proceeds from the auction will benefit four local charities: Pet Helpers, a non-profit pet adoption center and low cost spay/neuter clinic that serves communities across the Lowcountry; Charleston Youth Development Center, a non-profit organization that operates emergency shelters and group homes, and provides mentoring services for at risk youth; the Charleston Outlaws RFC which is putting all of their proceeds towards the future purchase of land and facilities for all local rugby including the colleges, high schools, and youth; and Charleston Youth Rugby where the funds will help high school and youth rugby teams pay for equipment, jerseys, administration fees, and more.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 after Sept 1st, and $50 the day of the event. VIP tickets are limited and sell for $60. Tickets are available online at: http://www.CharlestonRugby.com.

Carolina Youth Development Center Receives $10,000 Grant

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Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has received a $10,000 grant from the CSX Corporation, an international transportation company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. These funds will provide partial support for a six-week Summer Biz Camp program to be operated in the Linda and Tony Bakker Career Center on CYDC’s North Charleston campus. The Summer Biz Camp is in operation from June 20 to August 5, 2011.

The Bakker Career Center provides personal development and academic support programs, and leadership and career technology training. The participants are children and youth in shelters and group home care at CYDC.

“The young people who come to live with us at CYDC have suffered great personal trauma from abuse, neglect or abandonment. We offer them a safe, supportive environment designed to encourage and empower their transition to independent adulthood,” said Barbara Kelley Duncan, CEO of CYDC.

The Summer Biz Camp Program will serve all CYDC resident students on campus, placing targeted emphasis on students who are behind grade level and/or who have been identified as needing reading and math support. The program will be led by a certified teacher with the assistance of three support staff, with an emphasis on reading and math, as well as career and life transition skills.

“CSX has made an investment in the future of our community by making this grant to our Bakker Career Center for its summer Biz Camp Program, which provides educational assistance, job training, leadership development and life skills. The youth who benefit will one day be the leaders of our local businesses and organizations, thanks to CSX’s corporate support of programs like ours that prepare at-risk youth for independence,” said Ms.Kelley Duncan.

Founded as the Charleston Orphan House in 1790, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) manages nine programs dedicated to housing and supporting the victims of child abuse and improving life opportunities for at-risk youth in the tri-county area of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. CYDC serves over 600 children annually. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities at CYDC, visit http://www.cydc.org, or call (843) 266-5200.

CYDC Employee Celebrates 30 Years of Protecting Childhood and Preparing for Adulthood

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Every year, in addition to helping to manage the day-to-day activities of the children and youth entrusted to us, our caring employees help them as they experience special milestones in life.

Andrea Recoma cuts into her anniversary cake

This year, one of those employees experienced a pretty special milestone of her own.

Andrea Recoma is a 30-year employee of the Carolina Youth Development Center. She started working at CYDC in 1981 shortly after the organization became an independent nonprofit. Andrea has spent her full tenure with CYDC at the same group home on our North Charleston campus.

Her position as a residential counselor at the group home is an important one that finds her spending time with the youth in our care as they prepare to begin their days. This may well be the most significant part of the day for us all, as it sets the tone for what happens throughout the rest of the day. Andrea’s presence at that time, coupled with the stability her tenure provides, is a welcome comfort to this group of 8 to 12 teen boys, many of whom come to us from home environments that were unsafe and not stable.

Andrea’s supervisor, Lew Rogers, Senior Residential Manager at CYDC, spoke of her involvement at the home at this critical part of the day.

“She gets them up, gets them ready for school. She gets their breakfast for them. [I know] they appreciate her consistency.” Lew went on to say that the boys respond well to Andrea, adding that “they look forward to the time” with her.

In an industry where turnover is high because of the stress of the positions, Andrea’s anniversary is indeed worthy of recognition.

“Thirty years in this business is one thing. Thirty years at one facility is unbelievable. It just doesn’t happen in this field,” Lew said after explaining that turnover for similar positions is typically 3 to 5 years. The position is challenging because, “These guys are on the front lines, day in and day out.”

Andrea’s dedication to the boys in her care hasn’t gone unnoticed by the staff at CYDC, who wanted to celebrate her commitment to the organization. The team here threw a surprise celebration in Andrea’s honor to express their gratitude for her loyalty.

“We felt like we needed to honor that kind of commitment and dedication. She’s very dedicated to the kids,” said Lew Rogers, Andrea’s supervisor.

Lew said Andrea is a model employee who is reliable and doesn’t complain.

“She’s a very trustworthy person, and you just appreciate that in this business.”

According to Lew, Andrea was shocked when she came in on a recent day off to find a surprise celebration in her honor, adding that “She was not expecting anything like that.”

We had some help from Jason Lewis and Scott Cloud, the manager and owner, respectively, of The Barbecue Joint in old North Charleston and the Knightsville area Publix in making the party a success.

“On behalf of the hundreds of young men whom Andrea has helped to raise over the last 30 years, we are grateful for her personal commitment to them and to CYDC,” said Barbara Kelley Duncan, CEO of Carolina Youth Development Center.

Preparing for Adulthood: Graduates Achieve Milestones

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Graduation is certainly a well-deserved rite of passage for teenage children everywhere. However, for children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect, the odds are often against them. At Carolina Youth Development Center, we are proud to celebrate two of our children who have beaten the odds and are preparing to embark on a very bright future.

John* is just like any other teenage boy – he is an avid baseball player, loves girls and wants to succeed in life. Due to years of abuse, however, many of his dreams had begun to fade. John came into our care in the fall of 2010 after having been in a treatment facility for issues related to his anger, concentration, and extensive history of abuse. He was brought to our Oak Grove group home to help him adjust back into a less structured environment. Since arriving at CYDC, he has learned impulse control, independent living skills and ways of dealing with his anger towards abusive family members. John has developed healthy relationships with various staff members and peers and is better able to manage his anger, his anxiety, and think through situations before he acts on them. He has overcome feelings of worthlessness and loneliness and has developed positive social skills and job interview skills. sing his newly developed technological skills, he designed and printed his own graduation invitations. This fall, John will begin college, an achievement he never imagined one year ago.

Sue* is a vivacious young woman full of spunk and a continuous smile. She loves to play basketball and is a captain in JROTC. Upon arrival at CYDC, however, her story was a bit different. Sue had suffered from serious neglect and was forced to grow up too quickly. She was very angry toward others and was often disruptive. She was brought to our Ledford House group home and placed in anger management classes. Through hard work and by learning to trust others, she has made a complete turnaround. In the past, she would have reacted to a negative situation without thinking. Now she is able to process her feelings before acting and consistently engages in positive interactions with peers. She has become a leader on campus and has developed strong friendships with both staff members and other young people. Through her work with CYDC staff, she has developed a roadmap for her future which includes college and the military. She looks forward to her future now.

During the first week of June, this young man and young woman will walk across the stage with their classmates while their CYDC family sits cheering in the crowd. There will be “high-fives,” hugs, and tears of joy. But most of all, there will be pride as two of our own have stepped out on the road to success.