By Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton
Guest Commentary
It is summer and a time to relax. It is also a good time to remind the public about the wide-ranging programs offered at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC) for youth, adults and senior citizens living in Lexington and Richland counties and other communities in the Midlands of South Carolina.
Already under way for the summer, for example, is the popular 21st Century COLA summer camp program for students in Northside Middle and East Point Academy Middle Campus and rising sixth graders from Saluda River Academy for the Arts, Riverbank Elementary and East Point Academy Elementary Campus. This program is free and runs daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July 19.
BLEC is addressing a critical issue with its Mental Health First Aid Training Initiative. It is a training that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training provides the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
Another dynamic program is the Diabetes Intervention Program for Families. Professionals with expertise on diabetes will explain the benefits of healthy eating and how to get active to lower stress levels, reduce or maintain weight, reduce blood glucose and A1c levels, and improve confidence.
BLEC is laser-focused on youth potential. In that regard, there is a program that provides mentoring and tutoring for youth and teens. There is also a Youth and Teens Athletic Program, where students are afforded the opportunity to participate in various athletic programs, including basketball, football, and track.
And then there is our Farmer’s Market and Food Promotion Program, which strives to create partnerships with local farmers, government and communities to eliminate food deserts while providing access to healthy foods. This program will continue to expand to include growing practices and food nutrition programs while achieving long term sustainability.
Of course, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the myriad programs BLEC offers, but rather an insight into BLEC’s drive and commitment to be an invaluable resource in the communities it serves.
Your support in encouraging individuals to seek the services BLEC provides will be greatly appreciated. Please contact BLEC office at (803) 744-7943 or by email at crichburgcotton@brookland.cc for more information on programs that collectively offer health, education, and economic opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton is the Executive Director of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center.