At the YMCA of Greenville, we work tirelessly to create a place for all to belong. This year, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the YMCA of Greenville’s signature program for post-high school adults with diverse abilities: RECESS (Recreation, Education, Community, Exercise, Social and Service). The program fosters the growth of each participant by providing opportunities to learn about nutrition, fitness, social responsibility, community outreach, and independent living skills. RECESS allows adults with diverse abilities not only a place to grow their practical life experience, but also gives them a place to connect with friends and gain a sense of belonging.
The creation of RECESS was inspired by a young man who visited the Y often, looking for a place to make friends and connect to his community, just like every other member that walks through the doors of the YMCA. His family knew the Y’s mission: to serve all. Our YMCA recognized the need and responded in 2013 by partnering with the Barbara Stone Foundation to create this dynamic signature program. RECESS began with 5 participants at the Caine Halter Family YMCA. In its 10 years, it has grown to now serve 73 participants in four different classes. Families can choose to attend the program at one of three locations: Caine Halter Family YMCA in Greenville, Eastside Family YMCA in Taylors, or YMCA Program Center in Simpsonville. RECESS is unique in that it offers a continuous yearlong opportunity for participants to grow, learn, and engage with the world around them.
RECESS allows individuals with disabilities to experience life as part of the greater community rather than sitting on the sidelines, watching from a distance. The program emphasizes volunteerism, service, and continued learning both during scheduled curriculum days, and also during social events. The program has helped individuals gain the needed skills to volunteer independently while at the Y as well as other mission-driven organizations, such as Meals on Wheels. Through community partnerships, RECESS participants are given the chance to make a difference by assisting with the needed “sweat equity hours” at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, baking cookies for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, and developing relationships with residents at the Windsor House (an assisted living facility in Greenville). In addition to becoming more autonomous as individuals, RECESS participants learn the value of civic responsibilities. One class learned the importance of registering to vote and then visited their local city council. While there, they had the opportunity to meet the mayor and learn how their vote impacts their local communities.
RECESS makes a tremendous impact on the lives of each person served. The families of our participants have shared that RECESS has boosted confidence, promoted independence, created peer interactions and friendship opportunities, and resulted in an overall increase feeling of happiness. Kelly Lusk expressed her gratitude for the program, “Our son, Cameron is diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Seizure Disorder and OCD. He graduated from high school at 21 years old and we were in a total state of panic as to what to do and where to go next. Our search for a program where he didn’t just sit in a chair all day long proved to be completely unattainable in this area. We had literally prayed for a program for over 5 years in anticipation of the day he would no longer be able to attend school. When we learned of RECESS, we knew our prayers had been answered. The RECESS Program and all the instructors involved are absolute answers to our prayers and blessings to our lives. We cannot imagine life without RECESS.”
Aside from the community engagement, service opportunities, and learning experiences, RECESS participants want the same thing out of life that we all do: to experience life with friends and have fun while doing it! Bowling, mini golf, dance parties, holiday gatherings, and playing games are just a few of the activities that we engage in!
The need for our program to expand is an urgent one, and the YMCA of Greenville is here to answer the call by providing a high-quality experience for these incredible individuals living in the Greenville community. Over the next 10 years, the YMCA of Greenville will continue to identify chances to offer this life-changing program, and we look forward to partnering with community agencies to fill the gap for people with diverse abilities.
BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX is looking for local, Upstate, nonprofit organizations to sign up for Birdies for Charity to start earning matching funds now!**see details below.
Here is a little informational Q&A about the program:
What is Birdies for Charity? Birdies for Charity® is a multi-level fundraising program designed to give participating charities the opportunity to generate contributions for their organization based on the number of “birdies” made by Korn Ferry Tour professional players Thursday through Sunday during the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX.
What’s the cost for local nonprofits to participate? It is completely free for 501(c)3’s and schools in the Upstate to participate.
What are the expectations? There are no expectations! Just sign up and start soliciting pledges. We recommend that you send e-mail blasts, post on social media and work within the community to promote that you are participating in this event….but there are no minimum requirements!
What’s the benefit of participating?
No Risk! No out of pocket expenses!
All donations are tax-deductible
Charities receive 100% of their donations
Organizations can receive Bonus Bucks
Dollar for dollar match up to the first $100,000.00 raised by all charities
Participating organizations get their name on the Charity Spotlight Board at the tournament
What’s Next? Go to bmwcharitygolf.com to register. Click on the “donate now” button and then choose “participating organization”. You will receive an approval email within 5-7 business days that includes login information to the Birdies Portal. Once you have the approval email you are able to solicit donations! Utilize the charity resources that are on the Birdies website and then email cassadzandi@sccharities.org with any questions or concerns.
Have you ever heard about a town that was losing its only grocery store? What about a local park that was run down and unsafe? At Wholespire, we help community coalitions identify ways to fix those types of problems so that all community members have a fair chance at taking better care of their health. It’s amazing to see how making one or two small improvements can lead to a healthier and happier community.
Wholespire has been working to make South Carolina a healthier state since 2007. Our mission is to provide communities with proven and sustainable approaches that lead to increased access to healthy choices for all people. With a focus on increasing access to healthy eating and active living, Wholespire is a leader in creating environments that promote healthy behaviors and prevent chronic disease.
We were formerly known as Eat Smart Move More South Carolina
While you may not be familiar with Wholespire, you might know us as Eat Smart Move More South Carolina. In 2020, we decided to change our name to better reflect our work. Wholespire combines the word “whole” with the words “aspire” (what we’re striving for) and “inspire” (what we hope to evoke in people). It’s the state in which a complete and harmonious community is achieved.
Our new name and look capture our efforts to bring about lasting and healthy change for so many who aspire to wellness but lack access to the key components of health. It’s a refresh on our goal to make whole health a possibility for all South Carolinians as we inform, engage and influence decision-makers to include health in policy decisions.
We are advocates
What makes us different from other organizations is that we advocate to our state legislators to include health in all policies. You can find us at the state house advocating for free school meals for all SC students, more recess time at school and the Healthy Bucks program. We also support our partners’ initiatives that impact health equity. In addition to advocating to change state-level policies and laws, we equip communities to do the same at the local level. You can learn more about our legislative priorities and the bills we’re watching by visiting our Advocacy Center. You can also become a Wholespire advocate! We make contacting your legislators easy with pre-written email messaging. Sign up to become an advocate for health in your community.
We have annual mini-grants available
To date, Wholespire has invested over $200,000 in mini-grants across the state. While these grants cannot be used to fund events, programs, or direct education, they can be used to create or improve access to nutritious foods and safe places to be physically active. Examples of mini-grant projects include:
A paved walking track at an elementary school
Outdoor water bottle refill stations at parks and trails
Bilingual signage at a farmers’ market
Benches, signage, trash receptacles along trails or walking paths
Community change must start with community voice. That’s why Wholespire uses a chapter model to allow communities to lead the change themselves. We provide branding and technical assistance, but each coalition has volunteers made up of people who live and/or work in that county. Each chapter chooses the strategies that make the most sense for their community.
Stay up to date with all our work by subscribing to our newsletter!
AARP’s remarkable founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, had a passion for education and service that carried her throughout her extensive career as a teacher and a high school principal. After retiring at age 60, she turned her energies to helping “aging folk realize life’s possibilities.”
Dr. Andrus had a new and different vision of aging. “We don’t get old,” she said, “we grow old. We mature. If we ever stop growing, then we have had it.” But as she looked around in 1950s America, she could see that “most organizations working with older citizens did things for them—things that too often led to trivial activities and childish games.”
“Why,” she asked herself, “can’t AARP offer senior Americans a chance to solve their own problems of personal identity, recreation, travel, health protection and financial security?”
Since 1958, AARP has been doing just that—and helping all Americans to understand that, in Dr. Andrus’ words, “age is not a defeat, but a victory; not a punishment, but a privilege.”
Here in South Carolina, AARP has more than 600,000 members. There are great ways to get involved ere in the Upstate. See the opportunities below and let us hear from you.
AARP South Carolina’s volunteers are local heroes. They are everyday people who care about their communities and are doing what they can to make a difference. We want to join you in the work you are doing in your community or to create the change you know needs to happen.
We work on the issues that impact the 50+ and their families, including:
Veterans Outreach
Health & Healthcare
Hunger and Food Insecurity
Utilities
Caregiving
Fraud Prevention
Join AARP South Carolina as a volunteer for some great opportunities and self-fulfillment. The calendar for the upcoming months is starting to take shape and your help is needed. AARP SC is planning some major events and activities for our Upstate members.
Here is a sample of volunteer opportunities that are available in the Upstate.
Community Engagement Team – be a part of the steering group to help plan and Implement community events. This group will meet on a regular basis to plan and develop events and on-going programs for members in the Upstate.
Community Event Volunteers – Spend some time working events and representing AARP SC at community events, festivals, Movies for Grown Ups, Shred Events with the BBB of the Upstate, and Fraud presentations. Look for AARP SC on Fridays on Main beginning March 17.
Advocacy Volunteers – Help track and advocated for issues that are important to older South Carolina residents. This includes state and federal officials. AARP is a fierce defender on issues that impact your wallet.
2024 Presidential Primary Volunteers – Track ALL presidential candidates when they visit the area. AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. Volunteers will be needed to help AARP hold the candidates accountable on issues that impact older voters.
AARP is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. With over 600,000 members here in the Palmetto state, AARP is making life better for its members. For other information on AARP programs, services and benefits call 1-866-389-5655 or aarp.org
On February 23, Ten at the Top and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control (SC DHEC) brought together a group of mental and behavioral health care providers for an initial discussion of working regionally and collaboratively to address elements of the behavioral health crisis in the Upstate. The group analyzed current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in regional behavioral health care, and determined common themes and potential courses of action. The group agreed to form a regional task force to define and prioritize objectives, and determine strategies and action steps.
James Nelson shared updates and information on initiatives that focus on litter removal, and “Keeping Spartanburg Beautiful”. To learn more about Spartanburg County’s Environmental Enforcement Department, click the link above.
Jasmine Road provides help for women in need by providing safe housing, basic needs, life/job skills training, and more. To learn more about this incredible resource, click the link above.
