Colonial Life awards Original Six Foundation a grant to support afterschool programs in rural underserved areas of South Carolina
May 24, 2023
Colonial Life awarded the Original Six (O6) Foundation a $15,000 Equitable Pathways Grant to help expand its O6 Afterschool program which currently serves third through eighth grade students in rural and underserved communities in South Carolina.
Every child in every school in South Carolina deserves access to the same educational opportunities. But in many rural and underserved communities, barriers exist that create limitations for our most vulnerable students. The Original Six Foundation is committed to providing equitable opportunities for students who may have limited access to learning opportunities due to their geographic location. The Original Six is committed to help South Carolina students in rural and underserved communities thrive by removing barriers to career and post-secondary school success by providing preparation.
“Colonial Life’s Equitable Pathways Grant supports the O6 Afterschool program’s goals of providing alternative opportunities for students in need,” says Tim Arnold, president and chief executive officer of Colonial Life. “The program offers students creative opportunities to learn and thrive, and many students will benefit from the program’s expansion.”
With the support of Colonial Life, this grant will allow the Original Six Foundation the ability to continue to expand the reach of its O6 Afterschool program and provide more students with a safe place to learn while filling educational gaps. During O6 Afterschool, individualized homework assistance is provided by certified teachers who not only care about their students but help them develop the strong study habits that carry them through high school and beyond. Emphasis is placed on interactive learning—particularly in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—awakening curiosity and igniting a new love of learning.
“This grant could not have come at a better time,” says Original Six Foundation executive director, Kara Gormley Meador. “There is a desire among a number of Original Six partner schools to expand the O6 Afterschool program into second grade during the 2023-24 academic year,” Gormley Meador says. “This grant will give the O6 the flexibility to be able to reach those students.”
The Original Six Foundation’s O6 Afterschool program is currently in 11 public schools in 8 counties including: Florence, Union, Marion, Allendale, Bamberg, Kershaw, Greenville, and Colleton Counties. Grants like this ensure that more students in rural and underserved communities are presented with opportunities similar to students who attend school in more affluent school districts. With support from partners like Colonial Life there is never a charge to attend O6 Afterschool, and all services offered are free.
About Colonial Life
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Unum Group, provides financial protection benefits to America’s workers and their families when the unexpected happens. The company offers workplace benefits, including disability, life, accident, dental, cancer, critical illness and hospital confinement indemnity insurance. Colonial Life’s benefit services, education and innovative enrollment technology supports over 87,000 businesses and 4 million workers. In 2022, Colonial Life paid more than $700 million in benefits to policyholders.
About Original Six Foundation
Founded in 2011 by then-Governor Haley, the O6 Foundation believes children across South Carolina deserve a quality education regardless of where they are born and raised. The O6 Foundation works to improve education by identifying gaps and filling them through hands on engagement and resources. To learn more, please visit: www.originalsixfoundation.org.
