Author: epidevelopment

GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 17, 2023) – YMCA of Greenville announced today the promotion of leadership team members Sam Franklin, Barbie Jefferson, Diana Watson and MaryEllis Petrosian as they accept additional responsibilities in association strategic initiatives and broader staff and board leadership roles.

Sam Franklin is promoted to the position of executive vice-president and chief operating officer for the YMCA of Greenville. Franklin will continue to lead day-to-day operations at nine locations, focusing on membership and program service development. In his new capacity, Franklin will also serve as key facilitator and liaison with volunteer board members in the Y’s growth and strategic planning initiatives, as well as corporate partnership development.

Barbie Jefferson is promoted to the position of executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Jefferson will continue to oversee association financial performance matters, serving as the liaison to the board of directors’ finance committee, supporting YMCA of Greenville Foundation investment initiatives and human resources. Jefferson will also lead as the staff facilitator and liaison to the board of directors’ Christian mission committee, focusing on lifting the Y’s Christian mission, principles, and practices.

Diana Watson is promoted to the position of senior vice-president and chief philanthropy officer. Watson will continue to provide strategic leadership for the Y’s Annual Campaign, facilitate grant applications, major gifts, and capital campaign initiatives. Additionally, Watson will serve as staff liaison to the board of directors’ governance and recruitment committee, focusing on board member recruitment, board self-assessments and leading ongoing board training.

MaryEllis Petrosian is promoted to the position of executive director of foundation and fundraising innovation. Petrosian will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the YMCA of Greenville Foundation. Petrosian will also work with the chief philanthropy officer on donor research, grant development and general strategic advancement of the association’s development initiatives.

YMCA of Greenville offers professional growth opportunities to its high-achieving leadership. With a long-standing policy of promoting from within whenever possible, the organization will continue to benefit from the staff’s years of experience and knowledge, helping the YMCA of Greenville advance its mission and improve the overall impact the Y has on all communities it serves.

To learn more about the YMCA of Greenville and the projects, programs, and services it supports, visit https://www.ymcagreenville.org/.

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About the YMCA of Greenville, SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include afterschool care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered though four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, YMCA Judson Community Center, the YMCA Program Center and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government programs.

For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.

Greenville, SC – FUEL – a Greenville, S.C.-based strategic marketing and branding agency – announced today that it has selected South Carolina Children’s Theatre as the FUEL for Good Grant recipient for 2H 2023. Founded in 1987, SC Children’s Theatre is committed to empowering and inspiring a new generation of changemakers through theatre.

“We are thrilled to partner with FUEL as we seek to bring transformative theatre experiences to every young person and family in the Upstate of South Carolina,” said Katie O’Kelly, managing director of SC Children’s Theatre. “Greenville is fortunate to have companies like FUEL who prioritize the success of local non-profit organizations. This opportunity is pivotal for us to communicate the story of SCCT’s next chapter.”

FUEL created the FUEL for Good Grant program in 2020 as a tangible way to give back to its community and help local nonprofits. To date, FUEL has donated nearly 850 hours of service with work ranging from video production and logo development to social media campaigns and marketing collateral.

“Giving back to the community is an integral part of the FUEL culture, and the arts is a particular area of passion for our team,” said Meredith Kinsey, president and COO of FUEL. “SC Children’s Theatre is more than the exceptional productions they are known for. Outreach, education, and making Greenville a better place are a bigger part of their story, and we can’t wait to help share all of it.”

For more information about the SC Children’s Theatre, please visit scchildrenstheatre.org/. More information about the FUEL for Good Grant program is available at fuelforbrands.com/grant.

Anderson, SC—-The Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium (GAMAC) Chorale under the direction of Dr. Don R. Campbell will hold auditions for new members on Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13, 2023 beginning at 4:00pm. Auditions will be held in the choir room at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1809 North Main Street, Anderson, SC—directly across from Ingles Supermarket. Signs will direct you to the choir room. Singers should come with their voices warmed up. All materials will be provided. Auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call the GAMAC office at (864) 231-6147.
The Chorale will perform three times this year as part of GAMAC’s annual concert season. Performances will include an opening performance titled How the West was Sung as well as GAMAC’s annual Christmas concert featuring favorite carols performed with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. A third performance is scheduled for Spring 2024. Additional activities will include a Messiah Sing-Along, Christmas caroling in downtown Anderson in early December and social gatherings. Rehearsals will be held on Monday nights from August through April.
Renamed the GAMAC Chorale in 1990, the ensemble began in 1970 as the Anderson Civic Chorale. The ensemble continues to be a civic ensemble comprised of talented singers from all areas of the Upstate and neighboring Georgia. The mission of the group is to provide singers and audiences the opportunity to experience quality choral music performances of all genres and styles. Dr. Don R. Campbell was named conductor of the Chorale in 2010.
GAMAC Chorale auditions and membership are open to all talented adult singers regardless of race, religion, gender, or orientation. New members will find a diverse and welcoming community of singers dedicated to great music with a big dash of fun! The GAMAC Chorale is funded in part by generous contributions from individuals and businesses in addition to funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

[June 26, 2023] – Project Hope Foundation will join the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) as an on-site partner and ABA therapy provider at its downtown Greenville facility. CDS brings the expertise and value of multiple partners to one location, giving individuals with special needs direct access to many different services under one roof.

With eight campuses across the Upstate, serving clients from 12 counties, Project Hope Foundation is the largest ABA therapy provider in South Carolina. The need for autism services is greater than ever, with the diagnosis rate now 1 in 36. “Project Hope Foundation’s ABA therapy aligns perfectly with the collaborative services that many of our families need,” says CDS Executive Director Dana McConnell. “CDS is proud to add Project Hope to our list of partners, and showcase their brand alongside others in the building, as we continue to serve the thousands of people in our community who have developmental delays and disabilities.”

Located in downtown Greenville since 2000, CDS provides access to as many services as possible in one place to help families of children with developmental challenges from having to drive all over town to receive them. CDS and their partners offer developmental screenings, diagnosis, therapies, audiology, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, education, bilingual services, legal aid, care planning, case management, and family support.

“Many of our friends on the spectrum receive other therapies in addition to ABA,” says Susan Sachs, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Project Hope Foundation. “Moving into the CDS space will give our therapists the chance to collaborate with other specialists to offer the best, most well-rounded care possible, while also reaching new families in need of autism services.”

Project Hope will move into the CDS building on North Academy Street in July and aims to start offering ABA therapy sometime in August. More information about both organizations is available online: Center for Developmental Services | Project Hope Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Project Hope Foundation: Amanda Harley amanda@pefectpitchprod.com
Center for Developmental Services: Blair Stephenson blair.stephenson@cdservices.org

GREENVILLE, SC (July 11, 2023) – Endeavor, the membership-based coworking and shared office space community for professionals in downtown Greenville’s ONE tower, announces it has hired Lena Barakat as communications coordinator.

In her role as Communications Coordinator, Barakat will help bring “the Endeavor experience” to life by overseeing the coworking space’s social media platforms and content marketing strategies. She will also monitor paid media campaigns, provide event support, and help coordinate public relations activities involving Endeavor and its members.

Barakat graduated from Clemson University in May 2023 as a Marketing major with a minor in Brand Communications. At Clemson, Barakat was highly involved in the Erwin Center for Brand Communications, was a Brand Strategist at Cadency, Clemson’s student-led agency, and was a participant in the AdPR Academy program for diversity and inclusion within the University of Georgia. Barakat gained professional experience at Chase Bank, Chick-fil-A, Prisma Health, and most recently, served as a media intern at Greenville marketing agency, FerebeeLane.

“Lena is a terrific fit to serve as Endeavor’s Communications Coordinator,” said Joe Erwin, founder and president of Endeavor. “It’s clear that she made the most of her time at Clemson, even receiving the Eugene and Valerie Getchell Scholarship for Advertising. Through her Erwin Center work and her internships, she has the experience, drive and passion to help bring Endeavor to life – both online, and as part of our team serving Endeavor’s members and visitors here at ONE City Plaza.”

To learn more about Endeavor, visit www.EndeavorGreenville.com.

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About Endeavor
Endeavor is a membership-based coworking community for creative and entrepreneurial professionals, as well as corporate teams and business travelers. Endeavor’s premium location in the ONE Development in Greenville, SC provides members with state-of-the-art work and meeting space, and uniquely, surrounds them with a diverse array of peers who offer a broad range of services and experience. Training opportunities, networking events and business consulting are available for the professionals who call Endeavor home every day, as well as business team members across the region. Endeavor has been recognized as the winner of the Coworker Member’s Choice Award for Greenville, SC. For more information, visit endeavorgreenville.com.

Greenville, SC (July 2023): The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) announces the promotion of three case managers to supervisor positions: Casandra Johnson, Cleonis Johnson and Shalanda Smith.

“These employees have developed great leadership skills over the years and their promotions are well deserved,” said Cindy Carter, Director of Family Programs. “Each supervisor brings extensive case management experience and long tenure to the field that will strengthen our service coordination to families.”

The new supervisors will transition immediately to help onboard and train new staff as the organization grows to serve more individuals with intellectual disabilities, related disabilities, and head and spinal cord injuries.

About CDS
CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

We watch the news with a sense of disbelief yet can’t seem to pull ourselves away even as the screen fills with image after image of raging wildfires. In its newest exhibition, “Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer,” opening Saturday, July 1, 2023, the Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate, presents a rare opportunity to experience a “day-in-the-life” of those who face these growing challenges while feeling like you’re beside them attacking the infernos.

Kari Greer is a wildland firefighter and documentary style photographer who specializes in wildland fire photography. Throughout her 20-year career, she has driven hundreds of miles, endured 130-degree heat, dodged falling trees and electric lines, fought side-by-side with fellow fire crews, and turned her trained eye toward capturing the complexities, anxieties, and insights of these events and the people who try to harness them.

From blazing flames, plumes of blinding smoke, planes attacking with fire retardant, light against dark, and firefighters braving it all, “Facing the Inferno” is an illustrative story of the paradoxical phenomenon that wildfires represent. And taking visitors visually into the middle of these raging wildfires are 64 powerful images by Greer that not only show the effects in a very real and up-close presentation, but also provide an intensely dramatic connection to that which draws viewers into the unimaginable.

Organized by the Moscow Contemporary Art Gallery in Moscow, Idaho, this exhibition, on display through Sunday, October 22, 2023, has been designed to increase public conversation and understanding of the volatile occurrence of wildfires, their increasing severity, and the experiences of the fire crews who fight these extreme situations.

In a connection to Upstate history, UHM is including a companion exhibition focused on the wildfires and wildland firefighting in the Carolinas. Through artifacts and archival materials, visitors can examine the history, significant events, and growing number of “Red Flag Alerts” in the Upstate and Western North Carolina.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2, 2023

(WASHINGTON, DC) More than 4,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened this week in the nation’s capital for the 132nd Continental Congress, the latest gathering of the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The week-long convention consisted of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and was topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners were honored. In attendance were Regent Loretta Mullé, delegate; Vice Regent Adrienne Hogan, delegate; Recording Secretary Melissa Franklin; Parliamentarian and State Chairman DAR schools Kristi Kingren, delegate; Historian Patti Enter; Librarian and State Vice Chair of Pages Julianna Crawford; Christian Paxton, and Sara Canada, members of the Behethland Butler Chapter located in Greenville, South Carolina.

At the Opening Night Ceremony, Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise and author, was honored with the DAR Patriot Award. The National Defense Night Ceremony, celebrating our nation’s military personnel and veterans, welcomed Lieutenant General Nina Armagno of the United States Space Force. Other national awards were presented during the week to outstanding individuals celebrating excellence in historic preservation, education and patriotism. While at Congress, Behethland Butler Chapter members attended the Units Overseas Luncheon and Bazaar, Celebrating Membership forum, News You Can Use – “Shooting Stars” from the office of Registrar General, Texas Tea, Michigan Welcome Brunch, Heritage Club breakfast, Patriotism Luncheon, and Congress Reception. Crawford served as a page and carried the South Carolina flag on Education Awards Night, and Mullé and Hogan served as South Carolina period room docents.

“As more than 4,000 dedicated DAR members gather in one place, their energy produces inspiration, creative breakthroughs and true camaraderie,” said Pamela Rouse Wright, President General. “We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the hard work and accomplishments of the past year. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, DAR needs to continue to present itself as the patriotic service organization that we are. Continental Congress offers a way for Daughters to come together and sparkle as they celebrate our country’s unique and rich history at the national level and within their own communities.”

The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.

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The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

Greenville, SC – June 27, 2023 – Pillar Holistic Living, a leading provider of holistic products and services for body, mind, and soul, is proud to announce the launch of its new Holistic Telehealth service led by renowned Chiropractor and Energy Practitioner, Dr. Jessica Caruso. With a comprehensive approach to healthcare, this cutting-edge service aims to provide personalized holistic care from the comfort of one’s own home.

Dr. Jessica Caruso, a seasoned expert in holistic health with 18 years of experience as a holistic chiropractor and energy healer, brings her expertise and passion for integrative healing to Pillar Holistic Living. Through the Holistic Telehealth service, patients will have the opportunity to engage with Dr. Jessica in an extensive health history discussion, where she will attentively listen to their concerns and health goals.

What sets this service apart is the integration of remote energy healing and/or meditation, which Dr. Jessica will provide during the session if necessary. This holistic approach focuses on addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals, creating a harmonious balance for optimal health and healing.

By embracing telehealth technology, Pillar Holistic Living ensures that geographical limitations no longer hinder individuals from accessing high-quality holistic healthcare. The Holistic Telehealth service allows patients to conveniently connect with Dr. Jessica through secure and user-friendly virtual platforms, enabling them to receive expert guidance and support regardless of their location.

“We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Jessica Caruso’s Holistic Telehealth service at Pillar Holistic Living,” said Brian Caruso, co-owner at Pillar Holistic Living. “Our mission has always been to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being, and this innovative service takes that commitment to the next level. We believe that everyone should have access to holistic care that considers their unique needs and supports their journey towards optimal health.”

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the Holistic Telehealth service at Pillar Holistic Living, visit our website or contact (864) 451-7009 for further assistance.

Pillar Holistic Living is a leading provider of holistic products and services for body, mind, and soul. Combining advanced chiropractic services with mind-body programs, a vegan & eco-friendly boutique, a plant-based market, and a vegan apothecary to nurture the entire person, as a whole.

Pickens, SC – June 22, 2023 – Upcountry Fiber, the internet service provider created by utility cooperatives Blue Ridge Electric Co-op (BREC) and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (WCTEL), announced it is ahead of its construction schedule due to, in part, additional ARPA funds awarded by Broadband Office of South Carolina’s Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS).

Currently, Upcountry Fiber has more than 400 active miles of broadband fiber internet under construction, with an additional 515 miles that have already been completed this year. Since construction began in 2020, Upcountry Fiber has completed more than 1,900 miles of fiber and has approximately 11,000 customer orders, the majority of which are in rural and underserved rural areas. The project, which was initially forecasted to take five years based on both utility companies’ investment, has been fast tracked due to the infusion of ARPA funds.

Specifically, Upcountry Fiber’s team has started construction in varying phases in the following areas:
• Oconee County – Coneross, Fair Play, Long Creek, Mountain Rest, Oakway, and Salem
• Pickens County – Rocky Bottom area in Northern Pickens County above Highway 11 and Shady Grove
• Northern Greenville County – Marietta

“The message we want people in these areas to know is that we are coming, sooner than originally anticipated,” said Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO of BREC. “We can’t thank ORS enough for designating ARPA funds so that people and organizations in unserved and underserved communities throughout the Upstate can have access to this vital utility.”

“At halfway through the year, we have reached our annual goal for 11,000 people have access to our high-speed broadband internet service so that businesses can be more competitive and for citizens to have better access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities,” said Jeff Wilson, president and CEO of WCFIBER. “The collaboration between our state government and our industry has made this possible.”

For more information about Upcountry Fiber, visit UpcountryFiber.com and view the following videos:

• Our commitment to connecting you
• What does it take to build out a service territory?

About Upcountry Fiber
Upcountry Fiber is a high-speed fiber internet provider to the five counties of Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Established in Fall 2020, Upcountry Fiber is the product of a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (WCTEL). Founded by organizations created to electrify and connect rural areas of South Carolina; decades later, Upcountry Fiber’s mission is to bridge the digital divide. Offering symmetrical internet speeds up to 1 Gbps over a fiber network, Upcountry Fiber has the fastest and most reliable high-speed internet in the area. To learn more about Upcountry Fiber, visit us at www.UpcountryFiber.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Upcountry Fiber
Amanda Long Melissa Slater
Hughes Agency Hughes Agency
864.275.9890 864.313.4681
AmandaL@hughes-agency.com MelissaS@hughes-agency.com