Charleston, South Carolina
Overview
Charleston, a third-time 100 Best Communities for Young People winner, continues to make children a priority with its various resources and initiatives dedicated to improving education, assisting at-risk youth and addressing the obesity crisis. Communities In Schools Charleston (CSC) supports students with programs to address the social and emotional factors that influence a child’s academic success. CSC serves students in 15 schools in the Charleston County School District. Charleston also boasts a program modeled after Harlem Children’s Zone called the Charleston Promise Neighborhood, which helps break the cycle of poverty within the community by partnering with organizations that help integrate high-quality prenatal-to-college services for each child. Charleston has addressed the national obesity crisis with two unique programs: Louie’s Kids Fit Club and the Lean Team. Louie’s Kids Fit Club is an after-school program that teaches children how to make healthy food choices and the importance of exercise. The Lean Team is a partnership of 12 schools and 20 community organizations that help schools establish and maintain wellness committees dedicated to helping students improve nutritional intake and increase physical activity.
Community Programs
- The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina fosters philanthropy in Charleston, including organizations related to arts, health, education and the environment.
- The Charleston County Department of Juvenile Justice provides care and rehabilitation services for adjudicated youth or youth on probation/parole.
- The Charleston Promise Neighborhood is a program modeled after Harlem Children’s Zone, and aims to break the cycle of poverty within the neighborhood by partnering with organizations that help integrate high-quality prenatal-to-college services for youth.
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Communities in Schools addresses the risk and protective factors that influence a child’s academic success, helping 95 percent of a group of 582 students graduate.
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Louie’s Fit Club helps children learn how to eat healthy and exercise to prevent childhood obesity.
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The Lean Team is a collaborative effort of 12 schools and 20 community organizations that helps schools establish and maintain wellness committees that implement of school-wide health campaigns to prevent and treat childhood obesity.
Youth Voices
The Spirit of South Carolina, an educational working schooner offers day sails and maritime education for public and private schools in Charleston. I have personally gone through a year-long leadership program culminating in a ten day sail aboard the ship, and have since founded a club for the purpose of continuing funding for this unique maritime experience for students.
—Danielle
In my community I serve on the Mayor's Youth Commission as the voice from youth in Charleston. The commission and I have even met with our superintendent to discuss concerns in our schools. For Christmas, members of the Ronald McDonald House Junior Board and I prepared a meal for the families staying in the house. They were very appreciative of our service; I love putting a smile on someone’s face.
—Panetha