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Community Action Projects

UNITE South Carolina - Celebrating 10 Years of DLI

UNITE South Carolina – Celebrating Ten Years of the Diversity Leaders Initiative

As part of the DLI program, participants work in small groups to identify, analyze and develop real solutions for real community issues. Some of these community action projects are the focus of UNITE South Carolina. This special edition publication features 10 DLI community action projects that are helping build better communities throughout the state.

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UNITE South Carolina

A Mother's Voice

Child Trends released a report citing that more than five million U.S. children have had a resident parent incarcerated at one point or another. While men make up 99 percent of the U.S. prison population, the number of women and mothers involved in the criminal justice system has grown significantly over the last 20 years.

Since 1991, the numbers of mothers in state and federal prisons has more than doubled, to an estimated 120,000. The majority of women are incarcerated for non-violent related offenses, like drug, property, or public-order offenses. 

The A Team

Celebrate Diversity Activity Book

Celebrate Diversity is an eight-page activity book for elementary age youth focusing on diversity, culture, and respecting differences. Students participate in facilitator-led group discussions and dyads, followed by time to color and complete activities.

All — In

The team members of All-In worked with the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council (GCCRC), which promotes positive relationships within the community, equal opportunity and fairness for all members of the community and awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity. The GCCRC has existed for over 50 years in Columbia, but a recent survey taken showed that the community at large is not aware of the GCCRC or its significant contribution to the community.

All In

Uniting with Project Hope Foundation, Team All In, will assist in securing the renovation for a new and critical addition to their mission. Project HOPE Foundation has access to a residential house located adjacent to the Hope Reach Clinic in Woodruff, SC. 

This house will serve as a “real life” setting for teaching important life skills to individuals that will promote independence and a sense of contribution to those with autism. Skills taught in this home include the processes involved in bed making, cooking, laundry, grooming and self-care. 

Altoids

Question: Does diversity tension affect student performance in our public schools? Process: selected Lake Forest Elementary School due to student diversity; studied school data; identified diversity mixtures; evaluated school motto/mission, and requirements; conducted interviews.

Anderson: Bulldogs for Business

The focus of Bulldogs for Business will be on the special needs, self-contained population of students at the middle and high school level – approximately the 20-30 students who are on the ‘certificate only’ track (i.e. not eligible to earn a High School diploma). The goal is to help prepare these students for life beyond school. Bulldogs for Business will provide classes on etiquette, resume building, and plan to host job fairs that include companies where this population could work successfully.

Armonía

Armonía -- Spanish for "harmony" -- is a two-pronged project to create a music room for the homeless parishioners of Triune Mercy Center and to arrange for much-needed office space for the Hispanic American Women's Association.

A S.E.A.T. at the Table

Greenville’s downtown is flourishing through its beautiful scenery, waterfalls, award-winning restaurants, art galleries, local shopping, farmer’s market, entertainment, sports, and warm-hearted neighbors. This DLI team was inspired to enhance our loving community adding a combination of the infectious and positive aspects of pay-it-forward with the spirit of unity.  We have created A S.E.A.T.

Askable Adults

The South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy’s (SC Campaign), goal is to decrease teen pregnancy in our state, and to that end, it provides training and technical assistance to adults who are working with or caregivers to teens (ages 12-24).

The SC Campaign developed a six-hour long Askable Adult workshop targeted at adults working with teens (coaches, camp counselors, youth ministers, etc.) that provides participants with an opportunity to learn how to improve communication skills to support adolescents’ healthy decisions. The philosophy of the training is that every moment with a teen is precious and an opportunity for positive encounters that have the most benefit for the teen.