I am grateful to share with you the July 2023 edition of the Department of Children's Advocacy's newsletter, containing highlights from last month.

In addition to continued expansion of our agency with many new employees, we've been busy in the community, attending the graduation ceremony at DJJ, participating in the State Museum's Disability Pride Day, and raising awareness for the GAL program at back-to-school events in the Pee Dee.

We're also very excited to share about our new South Carolina Heart Gallery exhibit that will open in August. More details below. We hope you mark your calendar and make plans to join us for the grand opening!

We thank you for reading this newsletter and for all you do to improve outcomes for children in South Carolina.

Have an item you'd like to share? Please send us your questions, concerns, and recommendations for future newsletters. We'd love to hear from you.

Movers

and Shakers

Erin Milam began July 2. After retiring from a fulfilling career in the tech sector, where she primarily focused on finance and business, she and her husband Brett decided to embark on a new adventure by moving to Myrtle Beach in 2019. She did not want to stop working altogether, so she decided to a pursue a second career in advocacy.

Erin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas and has worked as volunteer coordinator and case manager for a local nonprofit. She is also a former GAL volunteer for both Horry County and Florida.

Erin has been happily married for more than 25 years. She has two children and two grandchildren.

Latanya Williams was promoted to Program Coordinator I on July 17 and has been with the DCA for more than three years. Prior to that she worked for the Magistrate’s Court of York County for 21 years.

Latanya is the youngest of nine children and lives in York, South Carolina, where she was born and raised. She graduated from York Technical College with an associates degree in office systems technology.

She is an active member at her church, where she sings in the choir and teaches Sunday School to the children of the church. Some of her hobbies include singing, dancing, traveling, and most of all spending time with her family. Latanya is excited to take on this new role because she loves being a voice for the children.

Taylor Young was recently promoted to county director for York County. Taylor graduated from Winthrop University with a bachelor’s in social work.

Originally from Gainesville, Georgia (Go Dawgs!), she is mom to her three-year-old daughter and four-year-old stepson.

Some of her hobbies are working out, running, and traveling with her family.

Taylor is excited to take on this new role with the Department of Children’s Advocacy because she is passionate about her community and being able to advocate for the best interests of children.

Welcome to

Microsoft Teams

DCA employees now have access to Microsoft TEAMS!

Webex will be going away in September, and to ease the transition, our IT Director Steve McConnell has provided staff with a TEAMS JumpStart Guide [PDF].

A virtual training was also offered on August 11, which included a tutorial video for how-to schedule meetings.

A New Gallery Is Opening and You're Invited...

In its most ambitious project to date, the South Carolina Heart Gallery will open its newest exhibit at the Columbiana Mall, located at 100 Columbiana Circle in Columbia, South Carolina.

The semi-permanent exhibit will hold its grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. in the storefront across from Hollister, near the entrance to JC Penney.

The space will be set up like an art gallery, with framed photos of children from across the state who are waiting to be adopted. QR codes will accompany each photo where individuals can read a bio, view more photos, and take the first steps to inquire about adoption.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” says Christina Grant, the South Carolina Heart Gallery coordinator. “Our exhibits have traditionally been at somewhat smaller venues, such as churches and libraries. But having an actual storefront at Columbiana Mall will give us so much more exposure and help these children find loving families of their own.”

READ MORE

Meet Zakayla G.

Photo credit: Mi Bella Photography, 2023

Za’Kayla likes to read, do hair, and sleep. She loves learning about new things, and when she grows up she wants to be a social worker because she wants to help other children.

Za’Kayla describes herself as kind, confident, and pretty. The most amazing thing about Za’Kayla is that she is smart and intelligent, and if she had any super powers, it would be to change the outlook on foster parents.

The one thing that Za’Kayla wants her forever family to know is that she is AMAZING!

To inquire about adopting Za'Kayla, or any of the other Heart Gallery children, visit scheartgallery.sc.gov.

Congrats to the Class of 2023!

On July 28, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice held a graduation ceremony for more than 100 youth who earned their high school diplomas or GED certificates.

Nick Nichols (top photo), a class of 2011 alumnus of the program and the current director of e-commerce marketplace for a multi-million-dollar fitness and therapeutic product corporation, gave an inspirational speech encouraging graduates to believe that anything is possible and advising them to surround themselves with people who want the same things.

Dr. Roslyn Clark-Artis (middle photo), president of Benedict College, gave a passionate commencement address reminding graduates that this moment is not the end but signifies the beginning of the rest of their lives.

The DCA is elated that these young people, many of whom were the first in their family to graduate from high school, were able to overcome so many obstacles and achieve this milestone. In attendance to cheer on the graduates were Melissa Pettinato-Irby (bottom photo, left), assistant child advocate; Kayla Capps (bottom photo, right), deputy child advocate; and Eden Everett, administrative coordinator.

Congratulations to the teachers, staff, mentors, and most importantly the 2023 graduates!

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”

—Anthony Robbins

Photo Credit: Akai Jones and Nathan Chaplin, SC DJJ

Disability Pride Day at the State Museum

DCA Director and State Child Advocate Amanda Whittle represented the agency at the South Carolina State Museum's Disability Pride Day on July 8.

It was a chance for the museum to celebrate South Carolinians with disabilities and provide them with fun, inclusive activities such as a hands-on art project, special tours and shows with ASL interpretation, an Astronomy Touch Zone, and more.

The day is part of the museum's accessibility efforts, which also includes monthly Accessibility Mornings designed to allow guests with neurodiverse, autistic, or other disabilities experience exhibitions at their own pace and enjoy other special activities.

Upcoming Accessibility Mornings are scheduled for:

• September 12, 9 - 11 am
  
• October 14, 9 - 11 am
• November 11, 9 - 11 am

Welcome to Our

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