SEGMENT #1: Charleston County Public Library
GUEST: Kathleen Montgomery, Associate Director of Community Engagement
ISSUE: Community Assistance
The public library is for much more than reading magazines and checking out books. This summer, the Charleston County Public Library is expanding programs to be outreach within the community. Kathleen Montgomery, Associate Director of Community Engagement with the Charleston County Library introduced their Summer Feeding Program, a joint venture with Charleston County School District and the Lowcountry Food Bank to provide lunch for 5 through 18 years old. The program will run through August 10th at the various library branches. Montgomery also provided information on their Summer Reading Program, available to both students and adults. Plus, she laid out the many reasons why libraries are still important and relevant here in the 21st century.
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SEGMENT #2: Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Lowcountry
GUEST: CJ Gathers, CEO
ISSUE: Youth Development/Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry is an organization that changes children’s lives. The nonprofit’s CEO CJ Gathers explained the different ways they are able to do that. In working with “little” (children) and teaming them with the correct “big” (adults), they’re able to provide much needed mentorships for hundreds of Lowcountry children. With school out for summer, Gathers discussed how that affected the program. She also shared the guidelines as to how a “little” gets into the program and how “bigs” are screened and the process of making a match between the right two. This summer, the organization is hosting a golf cart raffle to raise much needed funds, and Gathers provided details on the BIG Golf Cart raffle, how individuals could get tickets and how the money will help.
