Sisters of Charity awards $5,000 for keys to independence: driver’s education for low-income & foster youth
April 30, 2019
The Southeastern Chapter National Safety Council (SCNSC) was selected as a $5,000 Caritas grant recipient from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina for “Keys to Independence: Driver’s Education for Low-Income & Foster Youth.”
The Keys to Independence program provides low-income and foster students FREE driver’s training, so they can receive a license and pursue their first job, internships, and other after-school activities that will help them become successful young adults. SCNSC is partnering with Midlands organizations that work directly with low-income and foster teens to direct the funds where they are needed most.
“We are deeply grateful to the Sisters of Charity Foundation for their support in helping break the cycle of poverty in our community,” said Todd Buehrig, SCNSC Executive Director. “Earning a driver’s license is a right-of-passage for teenagers, but the cost of driver’s education can be a significant barrier for many.”
The National Safety Council Driving Academy, the only nonprofit driver’s education program in the state, teaches the required 8-hours of classroom training and 6-hours of behind-the-wheel training. SCNSC instructors are current or retired law enforcement officers with a passion for educating young adults. At the end of the course, each student will take the SCDMV road test to receive their driver’s license.
The Keys to Independence program anticipates more than 150 new student drivers graduated in 2019.
About Southeastern Chapter – National Safety Council
SCNSC is a nonprofit, membership organization based in Irmo, SC. The Council is dedicated to promoting change to eliminate preventable injuries, death and loss in the communities we serve. SCNSC accomplishes this mission by providing training courses for defensive driving, OSHA compliance and First Aid/CPR. For more information visit scnsc.org or call (803) 732-6778.
About the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.
