Dominion Energy helps South Carolina foster children

Grant will provide duffel bags for children entering foster care through Precious Cargo Program

Dominion Energy has made a generous contribution to the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (SCYAP), a provider of foster care and community-based services, to support a special project called Precious Cargo.

Precious Cargo provides duffel bags for foster children as they come into SCYAP care. The bags are designed to be durable enough that the children can use them over and over to pack their belongings as they transition back to their biologic parents, to another foster home, or to their forever family through adoption. The bags are filled with necessities the children will need immediately, such as hygiene items and school supplies, along with items to offer comfort during what is often a difficult transition.

Pictured are Kristen Beckham, with Dominion Energy, and Nicole Davis, Ernest Hallman, and Crystal Larkins with the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program.

“Many children enter foster care have had to leave their precious belongings behind or are given only a trash bag to carry their possessions, which is truly heartbreaking.  Dominion Energy recognized the opportunity to change that by partnering with SCYAP,” said Kristen Beckham, External Affairs Representative for Dominion Energy.  “Through the Precious Cargo Program, we can support children in foster care one duffel at a time.”

According to Gail Cole, SCYAP Development Liaison, the organization distributes more than 500 Precious Cargo bags to foster children every year. The filled duffel bags are given on the first day a child enters care with SCYAP. They are prepared for specific age groups and separated by male and female, so they are more personalized for each child.

“It is a special moment for each child when they receive their bag,” said Ms. Cole. She notes that although all of the items in the bag are helpful, the favorites are the blanket and stuffed animal. “The stuffed animal usually comes out first for a big hug, regardless of the child’s age.  The stuffed animal and blanket offer comfort and support to the child the day he or she enters SCYAP foster care,” said Cole.

“We are pleased and grateful to be working with the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation to provide this much needed service to our special children,” Rhonda McCurry, SCYAP Chief Operating Officer, said. “Precious Cargo bags are designed to make a child’s transition into a new home, school and community a little easier.  It’s wonderful of Dominion Energy to recognize this need for our children and in our community and assist us with this meaningful project.”

About SCYAP

The South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (SCYAP) is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3), organization that provides a variety of services to children and families throughout South Carolina. The organization primarily provides specialized foster care and community-based services for youth with special needs.   SCYAP offers a comprehensive array of programs and services to youth and families dealing with difficult issues and crises.

To learn more about SCYAP and the Precious Cargo Program, visit https://www.scyap.com/Home.aspx.

About Dominion Energy

Nearly 6 million customers in 19 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable, and safe energy and is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy with over $75 billion of assets providing electric generation, transmission and distribution, as well as natural gas storage, transmission, distribution, and import/export services.  As one of the nation’s leading solar operators, the company intends to reduce its carbon intensity 50 percent by 2030. Dominion Energy contributes more than $20 million annually to the communities it serves and actively supports veterans and their families. To learn about the company’s growing presence in South Carolina, visit www.DominionEnergySouth.com, Facebook or Twitter.