Carolina Kids Afterschool Program has openings for eligible elementary students in Pawleys Island
September 7, 2026
Families in the Pawleys Island area who need safe, affordable afterschool support for young children still have an opportunity to enroll. While Carolina Kids Afterschool Program sites serving intermediate and middle school students at Waccamaw Intermediate School, as well as programs in Georgetown, are already at capacity or have waiting lists, the Pawleys Island elementary program currently has six openings for eligible students in first through third grade.
Hosted by Carolina Human Reinvestment South Carolina, the non-denominational program(opens in new tab) provides a safe, nurturing place for children to spend the hours after school while parents and guardians are still at work. CHRSC describes its mission as helping youth and families build transformative life skills through its #TeachFeedSucceed approach, which connects academic support, mentoring, nutrition and community engagement. In the elementary program, a small staff and dedicated volunteers help children strengthen reading and math skills, complete homework, enjoy a healthy snack and have time for supervised play. 
“We have transportation to pick them up from school and have our sessions at the Holy Cross Episcopal Chapel,” said Michele Thompson, who manages the elementary afterschool experience. “The children have some time to run around and decompress once they arrive. Then, at 3 p.m., they pair up with their tutors for an hour of individualized study time. After that, they have free play time. By the time they leave, you can recognize the quiet peace they feel from the positive attention and sense of security the volunteers provide.”
The Pawleys Island opening is especially important for underserved families who may have limited access to transportation, tutoring or affordable afterschool care. By combining pickup from school, individualized tutoring and consistent adult encouragement, the program gives elementary students a dependable place to learn, play and feel supported during a critical part of the day.
To learn more about eligibility or available space in the Pawleys Island elementary program, contact Michele Thompson directly at [email protected] or by phone: 503-709-4153 or visit www.chrsc.org.
CHRSC’s Carolina Kids Afterschool and Summer Program is built around the idea of helping young people discover a personal passion through alternative learning paths. The organization says that approach is designed to spark a desire for learning, build personal purpose and help students imagine a future for themselves, while also connecting them with guidance and mentoring from community small business owners.
About CHRSC
Carolina Human Reinvestment South Carolina(opens in new tab) serves Georgetown County and surrounding communities through youth mentoring, afterschool and summer enrichment, a community garden, FoodShare Georgetown and related programs that address education, health, food access and local sustainability. The organization reports that its afterschool program supports more than 60 students, while its community garden and FoodShare efforts have provided thousands of pounds of fresh produce and food boxes to local families.
With the motto #TeachFeedSucceed, CHRSC works to teach and feed young people while helping them grow into confident, successful adults and future community leaders. Its holistic model welcomes all ages and socioeconomic groups and creates spaces where students, families, volunteers and community partners can work together to build long-lasting change.
