Columbia Urban League is awarded two $5,000 grants for teen driving safety
July 14, 2016
The Columbia Urban League announced it has received two $5,000 grants to promote teen driving safety. According to the National Safety Council, teens drive more during the summer months. These months fall during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which are known as “The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer”. In fact, car crashes are the number one killer of teens and they occur mostly during summer months.
The National Safety Council was instrumental in facilitating these grants awarded by the Dominion Foundation and State Farm. Both agencies awarded $5,000 grants to the Columbia Urban League. “We are thrilled to be a partner with the Columbia Urban League and Dominion Resources. The National Safety Council looks to connect with community organizations like the Urban League in order to serve more kids, teens and adults though life-saving, safety-oriented trainings and classes. We look forward to strengthening this relationship for many years to come”, said Jody Jernigan, Executive Director of the South Carolina National Security Council.
Year round, about 400 teens participate in youth leadership development programs offered through the Columbia Urban League. During the summer, that number grows to 1,000. “A core component of the Columbia Urban League’s youth development strategy is its focus on teaching good decision making skills and the fundamentals of marketing oneself for success”, said Columbia Urban League President and CEO J.T. McLawhorn. These programs are what attracted the Dominion Foundation to the nonprofit organization. “The Dominion Foundation is proud to partner with the Urban League and the National Safety Council to support youth workforce development,” said Keith Windle, General Manager of Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission. “Through this partnership, at the Urban League Pre-Employment Readiness Academy, young drivers will be certified in the Alive at 25 driver safety program. Safety is a core value at Dominion, and we recognize the importance of teaching safe driving skills to young drivers across South Carolina.” That same sentiment was echoed by State Farm Agent Larry Lucas. “I look forward to working with the Columbia Urban League more in the future, especially with the young people you support.”
For more information about the programs the Columbia Urban League offers, visit www.columbiaurbanleague.org.
About The Columbia Urban League: The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable African-American and other underserved communities to secure self-reliance, primarily in education, employment and economic development. The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans and others to enter the economic and societal mainstream. For more information about the Columbia Urban League visit, www.columbiaurbanleague.org
About Dominion Foundation: Dominion (NYSE: D), is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies, including Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, support education and promote community vitality. For more information about Dominion, visit www.dom.com.
