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Charleston, Lowcountry S.C.
Why We Are Here: Demographics: According to 2009 Census results Charleston county S.C. is home to more than 350,000 residents. The major demographic composition of the Charleston population is as follows: 66.3% White, 30.5% African American, 1.6% Asian & 4.1% Hispanic. More than 15% of Charleston residents live below the poverty level and there is are an estimated 80,000 residents that are school age or younger. Charleston county school district demographics are somewhat different due to an abundance of private and parochial school options. The approximate racial composition includes: 43% White, 50% African American, 2% Asian & 4% Hispanic. The district has a 67% on-time 4 year graduation rate and 83% of elementary/middle school students as well as 53% of high school students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Earth Force is beginning to build some community-based work in the Goose Creek area of Berkeley county, an adjacent suburb of Charleston. Berkeley county school district faces similar challenges and assets to Charleston but with a lower average household income and less urbanization. The approximate racial composition includes: 55% White, 37% African American, 3% Asian & 5% Hispanic. The district has a 68% on-time 4 year graduation rate and roughly 45% of all students qualify for free/reduced lunch.
What We Are Doing: Although Earth Force continues to support some individual teachers in the Lowcountry, we have shifted our focus to energizing partners around the work that we do. Much of this work evolves according to the assets and challenges of each community but is highly dependent on creating a network of community support for youth engagement (CBI). James Island CBI: This CBI is well-supported with anchor partners of James Island Community Education, City of Charleston Mayor’s Office for Children Youth and Families and S.C. Learn & Serve. Our network of community partners includes businesses, government offices and community-based organizations as well as 4 elementary, 2 middle and 1 high school. This 3-tiered program engages elementary, middle and high school youth with multiple opportunities for youth to participate in environmental service learning and become active in their community. North Charleston CBI: Our fledgling CBI in North Charleston is starting strong with anchor partners that include WINGS for Kids and S.C. Maritime Foundation. Through these innovative anchor partners, Earth Force is working to establish a diverse network of community partners to support North Charleston youth engagement. Currently programs are reaching elementary and middle school youth during out of school time including after-school and summer programs. Developing CBI work: Earth Force is also working with our partner Alcoa, Mt. Holly to build our community-based work in Goose Creek, S.C. Efforts have begun toward building a network of partners interested in supporting efforts to empower Goose Creek youth and engage them in their community. One of those partners, SEWEE Association, will be integrating Earth Force into their established Earth Stewards program. This partnership will allow 800+ youth from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties to address environmental issues related to conservation and National Parks and Refuges.
Earth Force History in this Community: For over 10 years Earth Force has been supporting Lowcountry schools, teachers and youth in the Charleston metro and surrounding areas. The Lowcountry field office began as a program offering of Youth Service Charleston in 1998 and became an independent field office in 2004. Through our work in schools throughout the Lowcountry, Earth Force has built strong relationships with municipal leaders and local community-based organizations. Historically Earth Force has targeted middle and elementary school science classrooms. In recent years though, strong programs in the local high schools and after school programs have provided great examples of the versatility of Earth Force curriculum. Number of Youth: 800 Number of Educators: 44 Participating Partners: Alcoa Mt. Holly Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium Charleston County Community Education Charleston County Parks and Recreation (CCPRC) Charleston County School District City of Charleston Mayor's Office for Children, Youth & Families City of North Charleston Mayor's Office on Education, Youth & Family College of Charleston - Centers for Partnership to Improve Education College of Charleston - Grice Marine Lab Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs (LEEP) S.C. Department of Natural Resources South Eastern Wildlife and Environmental Education Association (SEWEE Association)
Participating School Districts: Charleston County School District: James Island Elementary School * Murray LaSaine Elementary School * TI Stiles Point Elementary School * Harborview Elementary School * Sullivan's Island Elementary School ^ St. James Santee Elementary School ^ TI Stono Park Elementary School ^ TI Minnie Hughes Elementary School ^ TI Belle Hall Elementary School Chicora School of Communications ** TI James Simons Elementary School ** TI Memminger School of Global Studies ** TI North Charleston Elementary School ** TI Sanders Clyde Elementary/Middle School *** TI Lincoln Middle School ^ TI James Island Middle School Fort Johnson Middle School * Haut Gap Middle School TI Zucker Middle School of Science James Island Charter High School Wando High School Berkeley County School District: Goose Creek High School TI Boulder Bluff Elementary School ^ TI Georgetown County School District: Browns Ferry Elementary School ^ TI Plantersville Elementary School ^ TI McDonald Elementary School ^ TI Carvers Bay Middle School ^ TI Independent/Private Schools: Charleston Day School * In partnership with James Island Community Education ** In partnership with WINGS for Kids *** In partnership with the S.C. Maritime Foundation’s Horizon’s Program ^ Coming in 2011-2012 through the SEWEE Association Earth Stewards program TI = Title I status
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