Digital Literacy
Stephen Shelato, Economic Mobility Partner, and Leigh Barton, Program Manager, for Striving to Thrive
Have you ever wished for a team of people invested in your personal growth? A one-stop shop where your computer learning, financial growth, and mental health journeys were facilitated by a group of helpers who were connected to multiple agencies in town that could help you with additional needs like finding shelter and beginning your recovery journey? United Ministries is one such place, offering multiple programs that work in tandem to create a network of support. Working with organizations including the Greenville County Library System, United
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LIBRARY NOW // Fall 2021
Ministries utilizes the resources available in the community to facilitate a personalized pathway towards empowerment for each of its clients. “We are an integrated service model,” says Leigh Barton, who serves as the Program Manager for Striving to Thrive—United Ministries’ economic mobility initiative. Through this program, United Ministries provides longterm, one-on-one coaching that aims to help individuals achieve career, education, and life goals as they move toward economic self-sufficiency. Coaches called Economic Mobility Partners provide support, resources, and
accountability as participants set and pursue these goals. “We try to find the balance between our integrated services…but also being able to make connections for our participants at other agencies that specialize in things like addiction recovery, trauma, and sexual assault.” "We have free mental health counseling here for our participants. We also have free computer tutoring through you all. We have financial coaches in house that can really closely coordinate with our economic mobility partners," says Barton. When she references "you all," Barton gestures to
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