![She Served Too! – Showing Thanks to Local Women Veterans by Providing Needed Resources]()
Oct 11, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
“But Thank You For Your Service”
It’s a statement many women veterans in need have come to dread hearing. Unfortunately, this all-to-common phrase usually follows being told that in some way her needs just cannot be met. Sometimes it is not having enough “qualified service”. Other times it is not having the expected disability requirement. And more often it is simply not having space to support her. The lack of supportive resources for women veterans can be drilled down to two main barriers: access and availability.
BattleBetty Foundation is working to remove those barriers. With a mission focused on women veterans BattleBetty makes sure that no woman is every turned away for support because of the component she served in, her character of discharge, or if she has a VA rated disability. BattleBetty’s founder DeAndria L. Hardy said, “The hardest part about being in need wasn’t the need. It was being told over and over again that my service didn’t matter enough for someone to help me. When I was able to help someone else, I wanted to do my best to make sure no other sister-veteran felt that way”
Since August 2018 BattleBetty Foundation has been working to increase the availability of resources for women veterans. The organization started by participating in local homeless standdowns hosted in the spring and fall by providing hygiene kits. After the standdown, BattleBetty began incorporating “street outreach” and providing supplies to women veterans in need who were not capable of attending standdowns or crowds.
And just over two years later BattleBetty continued to grow by adding South Carolina’s first Women Veteran Resource Center in early 2021. The Center provides a 90-day Shelter program along with additional resources of a Clothes Closet and Essentials Gear Locker. But it was during their continued “street outreach” efforts that BattleBetty met Kory, a 50-year-old Army veteran, living in a wooded encampment in Greenville. She was a chronically homeless veteran who struggled with social interactions, substance abuse, and maintaining her finances to remain sheltered.
Kory had a confluence of barriers that limited her access and availability to needed resources. Her struggles were made all the more dire by being unsheltered during the winter. “It doesn’t matter where she is or how long she’s been out [of the military]. No woman should ever feel like she doesn’t deserve help.”, Hardy said. For Kory that meant providing her with proper cold weather rated sleeping bag, waterproof boots, clothes, other clothing items and weekly food drops. Although the barriers presented were unique the mission for BattleBetty was the same, to remove the immediate barriers that prevented safety and stability for that veteran.
And though it took some time, through a major collaborative effort, as of August 2022 Kory was finally permanently housed!
Did You Know?
- Since initiating its Shelter program BattleBetty has provided over 330 nights of warm, safe shelter
- According to the VA, the 10 Counties of the Upstate are home to 8600+ women veterans
- In a year, 13-15% of women veterans experience some form of homelessness
- Across the whole Upstate there are less than 10 women only/women and children dedicated homeless shelters (that are not add-ons or housed with a men’s program)
- $750 helps cover the cost of a 30-day shelter stay, meals, transportation, clothing, and case management costs that assist women veterans on the road to permanent housing placement
Like Kory, there are many women veterans that are not quite ready to be housed. Some veterans need more support than what a 90-day program or basic outreach can offer. They need an additional bridge to help get them from homelessness to permanency. Hardy’s goal is to grow into a Shelter to Transitional Housing step-up program. Hardy says, “Providing long term support gives veterans their best chance at achieving lasting stability.” This aim is to have a built-in continuity pathway for women who need additional supportive services.
The first steps to bring this program, Heroine’s Home, to fruition have already been taken. We are very excited to continue bring supportive service to women veterans of the Upstate.
Get Involved
BattleBetty Foundation will host Beyond the Battle 5K from November 6th-Novemeber 12th, 2022. This marks the 3rd year of the virtual 5K fundraiser with proceeds going to benefit homeless women veterans. You can ruck, run, or walk from wherever you are!
Heroine’s Home is an ongoing project to bring a first-of-its-kind transitional housing program for women veterans to the Upstate. Through a collaborative partnership with the City of Spartanburg we were granted permission of use of a vacant lot to build the home. From site prep to materials to finishing landscaping, we are looking for motivated patriotic philanthropic partners to make this resource a reality.
Be a Hero’s Hero by Supporting Our Mission
Become a partner or help support local women veterans and provide resources for she-roes still in need.
BattleBetty Foundation
PO Box 277
Fairforest, SC 29336
Email: info@battlebettyfoundation.com
Charity EIN: 83-2015836
Website: battlebettyfoundation.com
Oct 11, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
Upstate South Carolina was a very different place in the middle of the 20th century. The idea of regional collaboration was not a common one among politicians, businesses, or economic development organizations.
Across the nation, the jet age had arrived bringing larger and faster aircraft and the need for bigger airports to support them. As demand for passenger and cargo services increased, Upstate business leaders knew that bold action was needed to avoid being left behind.
In 1957, Charlie Daniel, founder of Daniel Construction, one of the largest construction firms in the country at the time, approached his friend and frequent collaborator Roger Milliken with an ambitious proposal: to build one large airport to serve the entire Upstate region. A textile magnate and CEO of what would become the largest privately held firm in South Carolina, Milliken assembled a team of top engineers and designers from around the country and led the effort to secure funding and government approval.
On July 7, 1961, local leaders joined the Airport Commission along with the design and construction team for a groundbreaking ceremony of the new airport. The airport would open just 15 months later, ushering in the jet age to the Upstate. The Greenville-Spartanburg Jetport opened on October 15, 1962.
When GSP opened, it was the first airport designed specifically to handle jet aircraft with forward-thinking technology that has become commonplace today, including in-pavement lighting on the runway, high speed taxiways and more. GSP was the first airport to offer an airside garden and one of the first airports in the nation to have a landscape master plan to ensure that future development projects adhere to the aesthetic intent of our founders.
Today, GSP continues to be the economic engine that Charlie Daniel and Roger Milliken envisioned. GSP boasts over 100 daily passenger flights, the only scheduled nonstop international cargo service in the Carolinas and a modern, user-friendly terminal building that has been recognized for its excellent restaurants, shops, customer satisfaction and for its extensive collection of art. GSP currently supports nearly 15,000 local jobs, adds $649 million in income to the regional economy and contributes a total of $2.9 billion in annual economic output.
In the years to come, GSP will continue to introduce innovative programs that meet the needs of our growing region. As demand warrants, GSP has plans for an expansion of the passenger terminal, a new parking garage, additional cargo facilities, a new air traffic control tower, an airport hotel, and more nonstop destinations. We are also studying the potential of replacing our gasoline-powered shuttles with all-electric autonomous vehicles that will transport passengers, employees and cargo on-demand to and from the terminal.
In the immediate future, GSP will soon embark upon a significant roadway improvement project that will reduce the congestion in and around the terminal curb front. The project will provide a larger curb area for passengers to be picked up and dropped off, with more lanes available in front of the terminal and additional roundabouts to keep vehicle traffic moving.
Sixty years ago, community leaders had a bold vision to establish a modern airport that will serve the air transportation and economic development needs of the region far into the future. At the time, many believed that generating the level of regional collaboration needed to achieve such a vision was impossible. Community leaders at the time proved that great things can be accomplished by working together and looking to the future.
As we begin our next 60 years, GSP is focused on building on our past and always looking to the future. Thank you for supporting Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. We hope your future travels begin at GSP!
Sep 26, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
The Robinhood Group established FoodShare Union in June 2021.
From January to August 2022 FoodShare Union County has sold over 2,000 boxes of fresh, locally grown produce to 175 residents and this is with taking the month of May off to move into our permanent location. Our program purchases most of produce from local farmers, who sell at the Union County Farm & Craft Market, which means we are also increasing the income of small, rural, farmers as well as providing ‘just picked’ items to our neighbors. Items not from local farmers are usually (bananas, apples, oranges, lemons). Most of our customers are SNAP recipients which enables us to help low-income families access fresh produce at a great price. SNAP recipients are able to purchase a small produce box for $5 and large for $10, the statewide Healthy Bucks SNAP Incentive program supplements the $10 balance. Each Fresh Food Box comes with a recipe flyer, on how to use the produce contents that week, in a different and often healthier way, prepared by SNAP-Ed, Elise Ashby or Dilia Mosquera (2022 Teacher of the Year at UCHS). Ms. Mosquera is a native of Colombia and works with us to introduce traditional Colombian dishes (made with local produce) to Union County. Additionally, as we add unfamiliar produce to the boxes, we provide tastings, at the Union Farm & Craft Market, which help our neighbors enjoy new fruits and vegetables, like butternut and spaghetti squashes, pumpkin, eggplant and kiwi.
Another exciting benefit of FoodShare is being able to help our neighbors and family members reduce illnesses. FoodShare South Carolina was awarded a five-year grant to improve South Carolinians’ access to fresh, healthy food as a foundational step to decreasing the impact of diabetes on the state. In Union County with a population is 27,316, the diabetes rate is 12.2%, 47% of adults are classifies as obese and we have a children poverty rate of 32%. In comparison South Carolina’s overall diabetes rate of 8%, 20% adult obesity rate and only 15% of children living in poverty, Union County is falling behind on these key health indicators. FoodShare Union County is providing a great service to the County, an awesome benefit to residents and increasing income for farmers and keeping revenue in the County.
In 2022 FoodShare Union has secured funding to provide Fresh Produce Bags for the UCSD’s 2,000 student households (funding from Executive Director, Elise Ashby); 900 Fresh Produce Bags for low-income residents (funding from Save the Children) and 5,000 Fresh Produce Bags for elderly residents (funding from AARP Community Challenge). Beginning in 2023 FoodShare Union along with FoodShare hubs in Greenville, Spartanburg and Williamsburg partnered with FoodShare SC and local medical facilitators to facilitate the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Veggie Rx prescription program to combat diabetes in the participating counties.
Sep 14, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
Sniff. Point. Cuff.
K9 Officer, Queue, and Sergeant Michael Rainey with Greenville County Sheriff’s Office are heroes once again! The duo just completed another home search of an alleged sex offender as part of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Only the Electronic Detection K9’s snout can smell hidden electronic evidence that proves sex offenders, traffickers, or child pornographers guilty.
The New Electronic Detection K9s are trained to signal officers by pointing their noses at Micro SD cards, thumb drives, hidden cameras, phones, and computers. One device can hold countless images and videos of live children being abused. Founder of Defenders for Children, Toni Clark says, “On average, the K9s locate two electronic devices missed by law enforcement per search. There’s a high probability the evidence located will be needed for prosecution.”
Clark says, “One sexual perpetrator or sex trafficker can abuse nine or more children. Victims’ ages range from babies and up.” It’s extremely important to stop them before they abuse again.
Child pornography is growing at alarming rates. Sergeant Michael Rainey and his team of investigators fight daily to keep children safe. With help from the community, Clark’s goal is to continue to donate K9s to law enforcement agencies in 2022 – 2023. Clark says, “The K9s are a powerful tool needed in every search to help save and protect children while stopping those who are hurting them.
There are currently Six local Electronic Detection K9s just like Queue. While Queue resides in Greenville, his co-partners in crime fighting are spread throughout the state and one in Georgia. K9 Darcy lives in Bryan, GA; K9 Sata in Spartanburg; K9 Oakley in Richland; K9 Spiller in Anderson; K9 Cypher in Charleston. Clark says, “Our Six K9s have located an estimated 540 hidden electronic devices!”
The Seventh Electronic Detection K9 is sponsored by Charter Communications and will be announced later this fall. The new K9 team member will be the FIRST State Level K9 for South Carolina State Law Enforcement to work with Probation, Parole and Pardons. A cocktail party will celebrate the new addition in November. Clarks says, “The dogs we have placed across the state are from the support of the people in the Upstate.” Now, Clark needs help spreading the word across the Nation.
Launching Soon!
“Defenders On The Road” Taking Our Message Across The Nation
We are excited to launch our new “Defenders On The Road” Program in March 2023, which will deeply impact our community and surrounding areas.
Swamp Rabbit Moving is dedicating 18 to 20 moving trucks to the pilot launch with more trucks coming soon. The trucks will display a full graphic including a QR code leading to a landing page to create awareness, details on how to report abuse and trafficking, encourage more donations and guide victims to receive help. Each truck will display a different impactful image and be seen by millions of eyes per year while on the move across the Southeast. One truck a day can have 30,000 impressions with 98 percent of drivers noticing truck graphics.
How can you help?
“Defenders On The Road” Sponsorship Packages offer a wide variety of visibility opportunities. Packages range to company logos on a truck, and on the QR code landing page. Other packages include sponsorship logos present at the exciting launching event where we display the trucks for the first time, tickets to events, photos with the K9s, and more. “Defenders On The Road” Sponsorship and donations will help fund the placement of additional Electronic Detection K9s.
Graphic Design Contest
The “Defenders On The Road” Program is hosting a graphic design contest that will allow individuals, students and companies to submit powerful graphics and messages to be seen by millions nationwide over the years. A prize will be given to the first and second place winners.
Toni pleads, “It’s time for us to focus on our children.” They need our help more now than ever. South Carolina court cases for sex crimes against children have reached 2,086 child cases vs. 769 adult cases in one year. The conviction rate was as low as 27.8 percent with cases needing more evidence to convict the criminals.
” The most important part of healing our children is preventing it from happening at all”
Scan the QR code within the photo to donate and access the website.
Did You Know?
- Established in 2010, Defenders For Children has donated 98% of all proceeds to our programs
- Electronic Detection K9, Spiller, is named after former Clemson Tigers football player and current Assistant Coach of Running Backs, CJ Spiller. Sponsored By Dabo’s All In Team Foundation.
- Because the traffickers and predators travel, we need to place more K9s in the adjacent states.
- Any donation big or small will have a huge impact on the community and children’s lives
- If the entire cost of a dog ($21,000) is donated, the group or individual can name the dog and leave a lasting legacy behind. This covers the cost of a K9 and training, handler training and, other cost to help with placement.
- The Average K9 works for eight or more years saving children and stopping criminals.
Be a Child’s Hero In Our Community By Donating Today!
Help support Sergeant Michael Rainey and K9 Officer, Queue, along with the rest of the K9 team to continue searching for solid evidence against predators and protect God’s innocent children and take our message across the Nation.
Toni Clark, 1140 Woodruff Rd, Suite 106, P.O. Box 108, Greenville, SC 29607.
Email: DefendersForChildren@gmail.com
Charity Tax ID: 27-3388956
Website: www.DefendersFORChildren.org
Sep 14, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
“Zoom fatigue” has become a real thing over the past two years.
In March 2020, the world was put on pause, we packed up our office supplies, and headed home – where many of us set up makeshift offices.
Never did we expect the sheer volume of in-person events and gatherings we would miss over the next several months.
Zoom, Teams, WebEx, and FaceTime began to consume us, especially at work.
Conferences and networking events went virtual.
Did we ever think we would see the day when a networking event was virtual? Really?
For example, in 2021, after postponing a year, PIQUE (the young pros arm of Ten at the Top) held its annual networking event…virtually.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we had a fantastic keynote speaker, learned a ton, and are thankful for were thankful for our guests and attendees who were able to join us.
But let’s all be honest with ourselves. Virtual networking events just aren’t the same.
Even as we began to emerge from the pandemic, handshakes have become fist bumps, and many employees aren’t going to the office nearly as much as they used to.
So much has changed, and even today, various facets of our personal and professional interactions remain different than prior to the pandemic.
However, as co-chair of the PIQUE committee, I am thrilled to announce Ten at the Top’s signature networking event for young professionals is back!
That’s right – we will be in person this year on Monday, October 3, from 1 – 7pm ET at the Huguenot Mill and Loft in downtown Greenville.
Having attended PIQUE back in 2018 (prior to my involvement as co-chair), I can say that as a young pro looking to meet network, share ideas, forge new relationships withother young pros, and hear from some of the Upstate’s most influential leaders…this is the event you don’t want to miss.
What’s unique about PIQUE is that it’s open to such a wide range of ages – generally from some of the youngest pros just launching their careers, to 10–15-year seasoned professional who are now beginning to lead others within their organizations. It’s an experience that can appeal to so many.
This year’s event will kick off at 1pm ET, featuring three breakout panels and executive roundtables, a “LinkedIn Lounge” (strictly for networking and meeting fellow peers), and an engaging keynote speaker and thought leader, Jonathan Parker, who has previously presented at TEDx events and taught audiences all over the world.
A networking reception will round out the evening from 5 – 7pm.
I want to invite all who are reading this to either join us on October 3 or share this with your team members and other young pros within your organization.
And hey, if you see me there, maybe we can shake hands…or at least rock a fist bump and enjoy some conversation!
More details and ticket information can be found here.
Jason Weidman, PIQUE Committee Co-Chair
Director of Communications, Purpose Financial
Aug 31, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365
readySC™ is one of the nation’s premier economic development training programs.
Since 1961, we’ve helped thousands of companies across the state start-up or expand quickly and efficiently by providing comprehensive, custom-designed workforce recruiting and training solutions.
Working in tandem with sixteen local technical colleges, our Apprenticeship Carolina program and our e-Zone job retraining program, we strive to take our client organizations’ workforce from initial start-up or early production to 100% proficiency.
readySC will work with the organization through our proven 3D process, which includes:
Discovery.
readySC works with the company to determine the knowledge, skills and abilities needed…and to define the culture and working environment the organization wants to create at the new facility.
Design.
We then design training to meet those specific needs. readySC doesn’t just deliver training; we integrate the organization’s principles into every facet of the project so that the resulting recruiting and training plan is specifically customized.
Our goal is to help companies start production with employees who are already immersed in the culture and processes.
Delivery.
readySC is completely flexible in our delivery options…Hands-on simulations of the working environment; computer-based training; workstation training; virtual recreations of the work processes; hand-held video delivery options or classroom training.
We work with organizations to determine the right solution.
SCTECHJOBS.COM
sctechjobs.com is a recruitment service provided by readySC for our client organizations.
This online application system provides information about all current training opportunities.
On average, over 40,000 online applications are taken each year through the site.
readySC by the Numbers:
Over 5,300 trained last fiscal year
115 companies served last fiscal year
Over 310,000 trained since 1961
49% African American; 38% Caucasian; 13% Other
37% Female; 63% Male
36 Average Age
12.7 Average Education
