Greenville Technical College’s Upward Bound program held a Fall Bash for students and their families designed to provide them with access to healthcare, dental care, and financial resources.
The event was spearheaded by Dr. B. Chad Starks with BCS and Associates Consulting Firm, which addresses issues of social (in)justice. Dr. Starks spent a week with the students this summer and saw that many of them did not have regular access to a doctor. This barrier is one that marginalized communities often face. The concept was to bring the doctors to them for health screenings, teeth cleanings, and more. An additional benefit was that the students were able to talk to those who volunteered their services about career opportunities and the education required. The primary sponsor for the event was BB&T Bank, and the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation also provided financial support that made the Fall Bash possible.
Community partners volunteering their time and services included Dr. Fred Nelson, a neurologist, and his wife, Debbie Nelson, owner of DNA Creative Communications; Dr. Dana Ray, internal medicine; Dr. Ben Daniel and staff, dentistry; Dr. Ashleigh Moll, pediatrician; Hillary Dobson, BB&T Bank; Tiffany Sally, Fine Arts Hair and Beauty; and Taliyah Riddick-Waters, Mental Health of America. In addition, students from the Greenville Tech Charter High School’s Students in Action group volunteered their time with one of the group’s members, Ryan Seubarran, serving as DJ.
Greenville Technical College’s Upward Bound program serves 65 students from Berea, Carolina, Southside, and Woodmont high schools. During the school year, the students come to the college every other Saturday for five hours to receive supplemental academic instruction in math, laboratory science, composition, literature, and Spanish. During the summer, they attend five hours each day for six weeks, benefitting from ACT/SAT preparation, college tours, financial literacy instruction, cultural activities, and an end of summer trip.
“The event was very well received by students, their families, and all of the many people who gave so generously of their time,” said Dr. Alecia Watt, director of TRiO Student Support Services at Greenville Technical College. “It was wonderful to see the doctors hang around at the end of the day and discuss careers and education with our Upward Bound participants. That personal interaction on top of the services provided was extremely impactful.”