What’s Your Drive in ‘25? Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board Celebrates Progress and Vision at Annual Breakfast

The Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs (LCDSN) Board hosted its annual community breakfast on Tuesday, March 25, at the Palmetto Room in downtown Laurens, welcoming a packed house of community leaders, supporters, and the people they serve. The event offered an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments from the past year and to cast a vision for the future under the 2025 theme: “What’s Your Drive in ‘25?”

Executive Director Jason Tavenner opened the program by reminding attendees that while March is nationally recognized as Disabilities Awareness Month, “every day should be a day where we look to provide a more inclusive community for everyone.”

“We’re not just looking at where we are—we’re asking where we want to go,” Tavenner added. “Our team, our board, and the people we support are united in our drive to remove barriers and build a community that gives every individual the chance to thrive.”

A Mission of SUPPORT

The agency’s mission—Support Unique People in Pursuing Opportunities while Reaching for a Better Tomorrow (SUPPORT)—guides the organization’s work with individuals with lifelong disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, head and spinal cord injuries, and autism spectrum disorder.

LCDSN’s reach spans across Laurens, Greenwood, and Newberry counties, serving:

• 106 individuals in Residential Services across 19 locations
• 72 participants in Day Activity and Community Services at Evergreen Campus
• 35 individuals employed in the community, with an additional 30 preparing for work at the Cypress Campus
• 460 individuals receiving Case Management
• 50 children under age 5 in Laurens and Southern Greenville

The agency operates with over 200 full and part-time employees and an annual budget of $13.5 million, with most resources directed toward residential homes that operate 24/7.

Celebrating Accomplishments in 2024

Tara Glenn, Associate Director, highlighted an impressive list of 2024 milestones, including:

• Becoming a debt-free organization
• Successful community events like prom, trunk or treat, and Special Olympics
• Partnerships with local law enforcement, providing Carter Kits during Autism Awareness Month
• Expansion of Day Activities programming
• A renewed focus on staff retention, including DSP Recognition Week and a tenure banquet
• Remote medical care via Station MD in 7 homes to reduce ER visits
• Continued growth of the Spectrum grant-funded workforce training at the Cypress Campus, now entering its third year
• 34 successful job placements in 2024, with ZF Industries, Laurens School District 55, and Whitten Center leading the way
• A revived “Bunco for Babies” fundraiser and a $70,000 matching grant from SCDOT for transportation needs
• Participation in Laurens County Chamber events, with Tavenner serving on both the Executive Committee and Foundation Board

“We’ve seen incredible growth, not only in the numbers but in the lives changed,” said Glenn. “Every job placement, every program enhancement, and every smile at one of our events reflects the heart of our mission. We’re here to serve, support, and uplift.”

Strategic Plan: 2025–2027

Tavenner introduced the agency’s new three-year strategic plan by identifying key areas of focus developed through community feedback, including:

• Affordable Housing: As more individuals complete training and prepare for independence, a lack of accessible housing presents a new challenge. LCDSN is seeking partnerships and solutions to fill this gap.
• Community-Based Services: With most clients living in the community, the agency aims to develop more tailored services, including speech and occupational therapy, life coaching, personal care aides, and job coaching.
• Increased Community Awareness: Recognizing the need to expand visibility, LCDSN is working with a marketing firm to refresh its brand and better reflect its mission to the broader community.

Honoring Advocacy and Service: Von Sinclair Award

This year’s Von Sinclair Award for Advocacy and Service was awarded to Ms. Tori Bennett, honoring her family’s decades-long dedication to serving individuals with disabilities. Inspired by her grandmother’s servant heart, Bennett has carried on the legacy by organizing Christmas gifts and holiday supplies for more than 100 individuals each year. Her contagious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment embody the spirit of the award, named for LCDSN’s founding executive director, Von Sinclair.

Closing Remarks

Tavenner closed the event with gratitude: “We thank the Palmetto Room for hosting us, Stoddard’s for providing the meal, Vestibule for the coffee, our incredible staff for planning, and each of you for joining us today.”

“As we move forward,” he said, “we look forward to partnering with each of you as we answer the question: What’s Your Drive in ‘25?”

Board of Directors:

• Peter Littlefield – Chair
• Bud Marchant – Vice Chair
• Joyce Rambo – Secretary
• Brenda Ligon – Treasurer
• Courtney Snow – Member
• Dr. Brenda Schrantz – Member

To learn more about the Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board or get involved, please contact the agency directly or visit the website.