Community Connector – July 7

United Way of Pickens Holding Disaster Preparedness Workshops

Following Hurricane Helene, the United Way of Pickens County launched the Pickens County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) to bring together nonprofits, faith communities, government partners, and local businesses. To strengthen community coordination before the next crisis, the LTRG is hosting a series of free disaster preparedness workshops focused on stages before, during, and after an emergency.

Led by experienced practitioners Greg Mullen and Chris Jordan, the remaining sessions will take place on July 29 and August 25. Attendees can register for each session individually.

Register for the LTRG Disaster Preparedness Workshops

Tri-County Technical College & BASF Celebrate 5 Years of Apprentice Partnership

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) and Tri-County Technical College recently recognized their seventh cohort of apprentices at the TCTC Oconee Campus. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the program, which launched in 2021 alongside Apprenticeship Carolina to build a pipeline of skilled manufacturing talent for individuals transitioning from retail, food service, and the military.

Since its inception, the program has driven significant professional growth, with 32 percent of participants advancing into higher-level roles and women representing 39 percent of the total cohorts.

Trees Upstate Planted 1,163 Trees This Spring!

During the Spring of 2026, TreesUpstate volunteers successfully planted 1,163 trees across the region. This included over 500 trees placed along Greenville County streambanks to prevent erosion, absorb stormwater, filter area pollutants, and actively protect the water quality of downstream local waterways.

Explore volunteer paths, upcoming future planting schedules, and details for their annual Turkey Day Run below.

Get Involved With TreesUpstate