Vol. 1, No. 3 |
Saturday, August 1, 2015
It’s that time of year!
... and a little history lesson too! by Anne Fulcher It’s that time of year again, when families begin shopping for back to school supplies for their children. From kindergarteners to college seniors, our area has thousands getting ready to hear those school bells ring again. The GVW area has many of those houses of education where the teachers and school staff are busy preparing their schools for the influx of those in need of an education. But, education does not just happen in school; education also comes in many forms, from community education, individuals being educated on getting back into the workforce, to tutors helping students become better in their studies. This edition of the GVW Report looks at all the different levels of education available to our community. The Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville area is steeped in history when it comes to two of the most historical school buildings in the state of South Carolina if not in the United States. It is believed that the first mandatory school in the United States sits at 103 Canal St. in Graniteville, South Carolina. The Graniteville Academy was constructed
William Gregg in 1847 when industrialist Mr. William Gregg began development of the village called Graniteville. Gregg believed that his employees would be served best with churches, a school and places for them to raise their families.
In 1848 the school opened its door to students through the sixth grade. William Gregg made it mandatory for all mill-worker children to attend school and if they did not, the employee-parents of the children were fined.
By 1853 the school was bursting at the seams and a high school was added in 1898 with the first graduating class in 1899. Beginning in 2012, the Graniteville Academy has housed the Megiddo Dream Station as an education resource for young and old alike. Leavelle McCampbell School was built in 1922 to relieve the overcrowding of the Graniteville Academy. Leavelle McCampbell was named for one of the board members and president of Graniteville Manufacturing. The school was renamed Graniteville High School in 1954 and included students from Vaucluse and Warrenville. In 1980 Graniteville High School was renamed Leavelle McCampbell Middle School after the merger of arch enemy high schools Graniteville High School and Langley-Bath-High School to form Midland Valley High School. Currently, plans are in place for a new Leavelle McCampbell Middle School to be built on Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville. Hopefully the historical Leavelle McCampbell Middle School will be restored and used as another educational resource for all of Aiken County.
2 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
For information on how you can sponsor the GVW Report, or to suggest story ideas, please contact the editor: Anne Fulcher at ernieace2@yahoo.com or call at 803-979-4476
GVW Report Editor Anne Fulcher
Layout/Design Lauren A. Haley
Sponsors Medical University of South Carolina University of South Carolina Aiken
Published by the Aiken Standard 326 Rutland Dr, Aiken, SC 29801
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 3
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Educating our community By Shannon Matlock August/September represents the start of a new school year and commitment to continuing our education. Not all education occurs in the classroom to school aged children. Recleim believes in educating our community on recycling of all waste, not just appliances, and will focus on different recycling topics in our monthly article in the GVW Report. CBS News recently ran a story on rising sea levels due to warmer ocean temps melting the polar ice cap. The waters are warmer in part to a thinning or depleting ozone layer. In 50100 years sea levels may rise as much as fifteen feet which will put coastal cities at risk. So what causes the ozone layer to thin? One cause is the release of chlorofluorocarbons, known as CFC’s. CFC’s are found in refrigerated cabinets that use a foam blowing agent for insulation such as the inside of refrigerator doors. The proper way to depose of refrigerated appliances is to remove the foam in a closed environment where the CFC’s are captured and sent into a filtration process. In Recleim’s process the gas is turned into a salt water which is safe to living things as well as the environment. The improper way of recycling an appliance is to dump into a landfill or send to a shredder where the gas is released into our soil or atmosphere. If you have an appliance to recycle please drop it off at the Dumpster Depot plant in Aiken on the bypass. We’ve recently partnered with them to reduce the CFC emissions in Aiken County. Enjoy your last few days of summer and good luck in the new school year!
Fast cars. Mouthwatering delicacies. Rock-n-roll. By Tony Baughman These three ingredients would be the recipe for a great Saturday under any circumstances, but when they come together to benefit kids, it’s magical. These are exactly the ingredients for the first-ever Music, Mustangs & More Festival coming to Midland Valley High School on Saturday, August 22. A presentation of the Midland Valley High School Band Booster Club, the M3 Festival will begin at 10 a.m. on that Saturday and feature a full day of family fun. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Music, Mustangs & More will feature live performances by award-winning Beach Music recording artists Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson from Myrtle Beach, modern rock by Liquid Squid, classic rock from Reson8, classic country from The Good Ole Boys and Oldies and beach music by Craig Stripling and John Wilson, known as The Funtastix. Other special guests may be announced soon. Classic car owners and motorcyle owners are invited to a classic car show in the school parking lot, and arts &
Liquid Squid
Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson
crafts vendors are encouraged for the Vendors Village. For younger children, there will be a Kids Korner with games and other activities. “This is a very traditional smalltown festival,” said Tony Baughman, president of the Band Booster Club. “It harkens back to a simpler time of school carnivals when the entire community gathered together to have a good time. I certainly hope this will become an annual tradition at Midland Valley High School. Proceeds from the arts and crafts registration, food vendors and car show
registration will be used by the Band Booster Club to assist with the costs of sending “the Pride of the Valley” Marching Band to Philadelphia this November for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “We are very excited and honored to be selected to perform in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said David Hastings, band director at Midland Valley High. “It is the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the country. What better way to educate and inspire our youth than to surround them with such a historic and memorable experience of a lifetime.” Members of the Midland Valley band will be joined by members of the Silver Bluff High band for this historic trip, which also includes educational opportunities in New York City. A $20 registration donation is encouraged for art and crafts vendors, and a $20 registration donation is encouraged for car show participants. For registration information, visit the Music, Mustangs & More event page on Facebook or e-mail tonybaughman@ yahoo.com for registration forms. For information for donating to the Midland Valley High School band, visit the band’s website at www.midlandvalleyband.com and click on the DONATE button.
Craig Stripling and John Wilson, the Funtastix.
4 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Family Y receives South Carolina Head Start Grant
The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta received the Office of Head Start Grant. Including a non-federal share, the Head Start grant totals $3.6 million. The South Carolina Head Start counties the YMCA will service include Aiken and Barnwell County. “The YMCA has always been a strong advocate for child and youth development,” says Danny McConnell, President/CEO of the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta. “We’ll be able to prepare many more young children and their families for a bright future with the services that Head Start provides.” The Head Start program is a nearly $10 billion federally funded program that provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families. The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta joins over 1600 other local agencies (public, private, for and non-profit) that administers Head Start. These agencies receive grants from the Federal Office of the Head Start in Washington D.C. “Head Start is a wonderful opportunity for the YMCA to strengthen the foundations of communities by starting at the root of the communities that we serve – families,” says Mary Crowder, Senior Vice President of Child and Youth Services for the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta. “We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact of the services that Head Start offers on the families we’ll serve in South Carolina.” The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta will fund 476 students in the Head Start Program at 7 sites. These locations
include Aiken, Barnwell, Blackville, Graniteville, Monetta, Salley and Williston communities. Our Head Start staff will include approximately 90 people, including full-time and part-time staff. This will include the following positions: • Head Start Director, Family Services Manager, Education Manager, Data Manager, Mental Health & Disabilities
Manager, Health & Nutrition Specialist, Maintenance Technician • 26 Teachers • 26 Assistant Teachers • 9 Family Advocates • Sub teachers, floaters, janitors and bus drivers Shadie Hall is our Head Start Director. The Aiken Head Start location’s phone number is 803-649-1465.
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 5
Christ Central Graniteville Summer is in full swing but it won’t be long until it’s time to go back to school. And back to school means homework. Students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade that live in Graniteville now have a place to go for after-school homework help. Christ Central’s Hope Center in Graniteville offers an Afterschool Program on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 3-5pm. The time is spent mentoring students to help them grow both academically and spiritually. This summer the program was extended to include a Fine Arts Camp that introduced students to the visual arts, music, drama and dance. Summer activities also included the opportunity to attend a week of VBS at a local church as well as movie days and a trip to the Ruth Patrick Science Center. Christ Central Graniteville offers educational enrichment for your preschool and elementary aged child. Trinity Academy, at 6 Hickman St., is for ages 3 and 4 years. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Please contact Anita Stokes, Director, to register. Her number is 803-507-4032. After School Mentoring is held at Hope Center, 3 Hickman St. on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Each child (ages 5-12) is matched with a volunteer mentor for friendship and tutoring. You may contact Donna Paschal, Director, at 803-645-8397. Currently there is a waiting list. Volunteers are needed for both programs. If you are interested in helping, please contact Donelle West, Volunteer Coordinator, at 803-270-6305. The classes at both locations will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8, after Labor Day.
6 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS) Glover Grove Phoenix Project (Community Worship), August 9, 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Aiken. Coffee with Jojo, August 13, 6:00 p.m. at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 803-646-0451. Senior Food Saturday, August 15, 7:00 a.m. at ACTS Coffee with Jojo, August 27, 6:00 p.m. at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 803-646-0451. September 7 - ACTS Closed for Labor Day Coffee with Jojo, September 10, 6:00 p.m. at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 803-6460451. Senior Food Saturday, September 19, 7:00 a.m. at ACTS Coffee with Jojo, September 24, 6:00 p.m. at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 803-6460451.
mobility. This workout will definitely challenge your mind and your body!
Christ Central Graniteville Trinity Academy, at 6 Hickman St., is for ages 3 and 4 years. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. Please contact Anita Stokes, Director, to register. Her number is 803-507-4032. After School Mentoring is held at Hope Center, 3 Hickman St. on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Each child (ages 5-12) is matched with a volunteer mentor for friendship and tutoring. You may contact Donna Paschal, Director, at 803-645-8397. Currently there is a waiting list. Volunteers are needed for both progra.m.s. If you are interested in helping, please contact Donelle West, Volunteer Coordinator, at 803-270-6305. The classes at both locations will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8, after Labor Day. Graniteville Brownfield Project The Graniteville Brownfield Project offers free blood pressure screening every Thursday at the GRACE Study Center 50 Canal Street Suite 14 Graniteville, SC 29829. The screening is available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Graniteville Brownfield Project will hold its next meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Aiken Fa.m.ily Y on Trolley Line Road. For more information contact Anne Fulcher at (803)-979-4476 or
Midland Valley High School Band Booster Club Music, Mustangs & More Saturday, August 22 at 10:00a.m.Midland Valley High School in Graniteville, South Carolina. Looking for vendors and visitors! Live performances by... • Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson • Liquid Squid • Reson8 • The Good Ole Boys • The Funtastix ... and more Special Surprise Guests! FREE ADMISSION! DONATIONS APPRECIATED! All proceeds benefit the Midland Valley High School Marching Band’s educational enrichment trip to march in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest parade of its kind in A.m.erica!... For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/ events/1648748942005981/
email at ernieace2@yahoo.com. Gregg Park Civic Center The Shepeard Community Blood Center’s Mobile Unit will visit Gregg Park on Wednesday, August 12th from 10:00-2:00 and also on Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please SHARE your blood and help SAVE LIVES! Did you know? That one pint of blood can save up to three lives! To sign up, please call the park at 803-663-7552. •Walk-ins Welcome “UNLIMITED” Exercise Classes per Month $10/Month for Pass holders, $15/ Month for Non-Pass holders Monday and Wednesday Cardio/Weight Class 5:00-6:00 p.m. A 30/30 Cardio and Weight Class consisting of a cardio workout and followed by light weights for toning and
abdominal work. Instructor: Becky Geeting Tuesday ZUMBA 6:00-7:00 p.m. Come check out the “Zumba Party” on Wednesday afternoons with Instructor Becky Geeting. This class is for any level of participation and provides a non-intimidating opportunity for new exercisers. Come join the fun and enjoy group fitness with less impact! Monday RESISTANCE BAND TRAINING 6:15-6:45 p.m. Mondays from 6:15-6:45 p.m. It’s only “30” minutes. “Short” on the time but “Long” on the results. Bring your mat, towel and water. We provide the bands. Instructor Joan Bea.m. will demonstrate exercise with concentration on tightening and toning the core muscles. These band exercises will increase your strength for everyday activities as well as your balance and
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center GED classes: Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 p.m. Classes are free. AA Group : Monday, Wednesday 8:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Basic Computer Class: call Sr. Dorothy (803)-507-7715 Volunteers are always needed. All we ask is that you consider donating an hour or two of your time a week, a month, any a.m.ount you can give to the following: Food Pantry: driver to pick up the food (once a month), a person to unload the food truck (once a month), help restock shelves. Receptionist: Monday or Wednesday or Friday (or Mon., Wed., & Friday), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Intake Worker: Assessing the needs of the person seeking help Tutor: Helping students with reading, math, English and social studies. To have your organizations events posted in the GVW Report Community Calendar, please email Anne Fulcher at ernieace2@yahoo.com or call at (803)979-4476
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 7
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Master of Business Administration For STEM and Liberal Arts USC Aiken is now offering a part-time MBA program designed exclusively for students with an undergraduate degree in one of the STEM fields (science, technology, engineeing, mathematics) or any of the Liberal Arts. In contrast to most traditional MBA programs, the MBA for STEM and Liberal Arts is designed exclusively for students who do not hold an undergraduate business degree.
Choose
SUCCESS
School of Business Administration
Learn more at mba.usca.edu Enroll now for Fall 2015
8 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
The latest Megiddo By Kendra Pigler On August 11, 2015, the latest class of The Megiddo Dream Station, is set to graduate from their intensive eight week program. The graduates are Stephanie Bryne, Shemeka Morton, Jeffrey Burson, Priscilla
The Dream Seekers Kendra Pigler
McBurnette, Daniel Hamrick, Nikie Roach, and Mark Ramos. The Megiddo Dream Station is a faith based organization designed to help families and individuals who have had hardships due to job loss. It is a Christ centered program that teaches people new skills for obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. Megiddo takes a comprehensive approach to prepare the individual to succeed in all aspects of life. In addition to resume writing, interview skills and job search training for
adults, they also help middle through high school age students! They offer assistance with applications for jobs, college, financial aid, and a mentoring program. Since October 2012, Megiddo has helped over 140 people move from their system into the work force. The students out of this program credit their success to the, “group of dedicated instructors” according to Stephanie Bryne. Jeffrey Burson said, “The people here volunteer their time to help make this happen, it couldn’t happen without them.”
All the students shared how appreciative they felt. You could tell how much they valued and respected their instructors and their opinions. Shemeka Morton and Nikie Roach expressed how the program helped changed their mindset, “it made me change a lot of things, find out about myself and go soul searching”. Attending the program has sparked a new interest in this group to further their education. “I would like to go back to school to get my GED. Then I would
Jeffrey Burson
Megiddo Dream Station Class of 2015. L to R: Stephanie Byrne, Shemeka Morton, Jeffery Burson, Daniel Hamrick, Daniel Ramos, Nikie Roach, Prisilla McBurnette
Stephanie Byrne
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 9
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Dream Station Class of August 2015!
like to go to Aiken Technical College to take classes for a nursing degree”, states Priscilla McBurnette. Before attending the program Daniel Hamrick had done work in data entry, project management, and computer skills. Now Daniel has returned to school and only has half a semester left in obtaining a degree in accounting. After receiving the degree he would like to explore a career in accounting, banking, or in computers. Nikie Roach, who will be a senior at
USCA in the fall, has completed two associate degrees in Early Childhood Education and Human Services. Now after over 10 years of working with children she has found her passion. “I want to work with the Department of Social Services. My passion lies with trying to help families successfully leave the system, whether its welfare, food stamps, or free housing. I want to save our state more money”, says Roach. Mark Ramos will be a December Graduate of Troy University. He and his
wife are psychology majors and have been each other’s motivation to finish school. He wants to help in social services, marriage and family counseling, and/or work with addiction, abuse, and abandonment. This program began June 8th and the group will graduate August 11th. There are many success stories to come out of the Megiddo Dream Station program, but this group might prove to be one of the best thus far. Megiddo Dream Station Specialty
Daniel Hamrick
Shemeka Morton
Priscilla McBurnette
Mark Ramos
Classes begin the week of August 17. Looking for work or need to improve your skills to get a promotion? Call 803-392-7044 or visit www. megiddodreamstation.org. for more information. Kendra Pigler is a Graniteville Brownfield Project Intern and a rising junior at South Carolina State as a Communications Major. She is a Graniteville, S.C. native.
Nikie Roach
10 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Aiken County Recreation Center 2015 School Supply Giveaway!
On Saturday, August 15, Aiken County PRT and Serenity Charity Club will team up to provide school supplies to children in Aiken County! The giveaway begins at 2, but children will be able to swim (at no cost) from 12 to 4. There will be free supplies and light refreshments while supplies last. We are asking for your assistance to make this program a success! The Aiken County Recreation Center will serve as the drop off location for supplies. If you would prefer we pick up, please call Tandra at 803-6636142. This is a great opportunity for the community to come together to make sure our children are prepared for their first day of school. We would like to thank you in advance for your help with this event.
Summer Camp 2015!
We are trucking right along with camp! Since last month, children have completed a few crafts, learned about seeds, planted green beans, walked our trail and saw our 9 bluebird boxes, even a few eggs! If you’re interested in bringing your children ages 6 to 12, let us know! Camp runs from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, until August 14. Children must bring their own lunch and swim attire/towel. The cost is $55/1 week, $100/2 weeks, or $20/1 day.
Open Swim
Pool is open Monday-Friday from 1 to 5 (unless otherwise noted). The cost is $2/person each day.
Fitness with Ty
Fitness classes are held every
Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Classes are $5/class. Tuesday’s vary between Zumba and Pound while Piloxing happens on Thursday’s. Who said exercising couldn’t be fun?!
Senior Coffee Corner
Coffee Corner will be back in September! Coffee Corner caters to our golden age citizens. Each month features a speaker that provides services to our seniors, as well as a fresh, baked goodie! If you have a business or topic that caters to seniors, please contact us to speak at our program.
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 11
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Minitor Market How to feed a family of 4 a quality meal for $10.00
If you have not been in Minitor Market located at the corner of Howlandville Rd and Hwy 421, you are overdue a visit to a hometown landmark. The store is carrying on the tradition started by the Walton Family. The business was later purchased by the Gurleys and operated as an IGA store. In recent years it went through several owners who let the local community down. The Minitor family who grew up in the community, is working hard
to restore the store. Each week new products are added to bring back the tradition which the local community counted upon. Customers are driving from Aiken and Augusta (CSRA) for the meats. The store is clean and scored 100 on its DHEC inspection. The Minitors have worked hard to clean the store and restock the shelves with savings that rival the big box chain stores. Minitor Market is proud to be totally independent of ‘chain stores’ and cater to the local community providing meats to restaurants, churches and civic groups in
the CSRA. Throughout the store, you will find the ‘HY-TOP,’ ‘Loretta’ and ‘Creole Foods’ brand products on the grocery shelves; in dairy and frozen foods you will find ‘Morning Fresh’ products. They are packaged and the same as many name brands with 20-50% savings. On Aisle 3, you’ll find an array of products that will create the base for your meal. Loretta & Creole products are $1.00. You can add HY-TOP 5oz. can Tuna for $ .99 or add Roger Wood Sausage for $3.99 for a 1-1/2 lb box of
hamburger for $3.19 lb. Top these with HY-TOP sliced tomatoes for $ .89. In the frozen foods department, you will find a variety of ‘Morning Fresh’ vegetables for $1.39 a bag. Top these with ‘Morning Fresh’ Mozzarella shred cheese for $2.09. You can add cucumbers or bell peppers 2 for $1.00 or tomatoes 3 for $1.99. You will find many recipes on the back of boxes. The Minitors will be glad answer your questions. Be sure to check FaceBook for weekly and daily specials!! At Minitor Market... YOU SAVE MONEY!!
12 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Asthma’s Impact on the Nation with asthma can manage their disease with medical care and prevent attacks by avoiding triggers.
Is asthma really a problem?
Data from the CDC National Asthma Control Program
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs. During an asthma attack, airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, or serious — and even life threatening.
Symptoms of an asthma attack include:
• Coughing • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing • Wheezing • Tightness or pain in the chest We don’t know for sure what causes asthma, but we do know that attacks are sometimes triggered by: • Allergens (like pollen, mold, animal dander, and dust mites) • Exercise • Occupational hazards • Tobacco smoke • Air pollution • Airway infections There’s no cure for asthma. People
Yes. Asthma is a serious health and economic concern in the United States. It’s expensive. • Asthma costs the United States $56 billion each year. • The average yearly cost of care for a child with asthma was $1,039 in 2009. In 2008, asthma caused: • 10.5 million missed days of school • 14.2 million missed days of work It’s common. In 2010: • 18.7 million adults had asthma. That’s equal to 1 in 12 adults. • 7 million children had asthma. That’s equal to 1 in 11 children. It’s deadly. • About 9 people die from asthma each day. • In 2009, 3,388 people died from asthma.
It’s getting worse.
In the last decade, the proportion of people with asthma in the United States grew by nearly 15%. In 2009, asthma caused: • 479,300 hospitalizations • 1.9 million emergency department visits • 8.9 million doctor visits
What are we doing to make things better?
In response to the worsening problem of asthma, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the National Asthma Control
Program (NACP), a public health response to control asthma in the United States. Since its establishment in 1999, the NACP has been working to ensure that people with asthma get the care and education they need to manage the disease effectively. The program currently funds asthma control programs in 34 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, serving 85% of the US population with asthma. Since it began, the NACP has funded states which include 91% of the US population with asthma. The NACP has also funded national partner organizations to conduct asthma education nationwide since 2002. By promoting proper education and care, the NACP can help to reduce the number of asthma related: • Deaths • Hospitalizations • Emergency department visits • Missed days of work • Missed days of school The following new data from the NACP was collected using the Asthma Call-back Survey in cooperation with the program’s funded grantees.
What makes a person more likely to have asthma?
Gender: • Women are more likely to have asthma than men. • In children, boys are more likely to have asthma than girls. Age: Adults ages 18 to 24 are more likely to have asthma than older adults. Race and ethnicity: • Multi-race and black adults are more likely to have asthma than white adults. • Black children are 2 times more likely to have asthma than white children.
Education level: Adults who didn’t finish high school are more likely to have asthma than adults who graduated high school or college. Income level: Adults with an annual household income of $75,000 or less are more likely to have asthma than adults with higher incomes. Behavioral risk factors: • Smokers are more likely to have asthma than non-smokers. • Obese adults are most likely to have asthma.
How often do people with asthma see their doctors?
People with asthma need proper medical care to manage their disease. When their asthma is controlled with routine care and education, they are less likely to visit emergency
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 13
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville departments and urgent care facilities for asthma-related treatments. When people with asthma make emergency visits to medical professionals, we know there’s a good chance their asthma isn’t under control. Children see medical professionals for asthma care more often than adults. This includes: • Routine doctor visits • Emergency department visits • Urgent care visits Nearly 1 in 5 children with asthma went to an emergency department for care in 2009. Race and ethnicity make a difference: • Black adults are hospitalized for asthma more often than white adults. • Black and Hispanic children visit emergency departments for asthma care more often than white children.
Are doctors teaching patients how to manage asthma?
Teaching people how to manage asthma on their own is one of the most important parts of controlling the disease nationwide. Everyone with asthma should develop an individualized asthma action plan
with a doctor. Children are more likely than adults to learn how to manage their asthma. • More than 8 in 10 children are taught how to recognize asthma symptoms. • Less than 7 in 10 adults are taught how to recognize asthma symptoms. In general, people with asthma aren’t getting action plans from their doctors. In fact: • Less than 1 in 2 children get an asthma action plan. • Less than 1 in 3 adults get an asthma action plan.
How does asthma disrupt daily life?
Asthma keeps people out of work and school: • Nearly 1 in 2 children miss at least 1 day of school each year because of their asthma. • 1 in 3 adults miss at least 1 day of work each year because of their asthma. Asthma interferes with daily activities: Nearly 3 in 5 people with asthma limit their usual activities because of their asthma.
Who isn’t getting the care
they need because of the cost?
Effective asthma care can be expensive — and that can make it difficult for people to get the care they need. In many cases, private and public healthcare programs ensure that children receive care. Therefore, adults are less likely to receive the care they need when cost is an issue. Race and ethnicity are important factors, too. Many ethnic and racial minorities struggle to pay for the medicines they need: • More than 1 in 4 black adults can’t afford their asthma medicines. • 1 in 5 Hispanic adults can’t afford their asthma medicines. Although doctors are an important part of effective asthma management, many ethnic and racial minorities don’t see a doctor regularly as part of their asthma care: • More than 1 in 4 black adults can’t afford routine doctor visits. • Nearly 1 in 7 Hispanic adults
can’t afford routine doctor visits.
Who is most likely to die from asthma?
Who is most likely to die from asthma? • More women die from asthma than men. • Black Americans are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from asthma than any other racial or ethnic group. Even 1 death from asthma is too many. Yet every day people die as a result of this disease. And asthma deaths can often be prevented. That’s why the work we’re doing at NACP is so important.
Learn more about the National Asthma Control Program by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/ asthma/
14 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Aiken Technical College:
Higher education is the key to your future Higher education can be viewed as a master key—it opens many doors! Behind these doors are dreams, goals, desired quality of life and stability. The number of jobs requiring at least an associate’s degree is projected to grow 64 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Occupational Employment Projections. At Aiken Technical College, we understand the impact of education and offer many programs to help keep students’ dreams and goals within reach. Our technical education programs include advanced manufacturing, welding, radiation protection technology and nuclear quality systems. These programs will be taught in our new, state-of-the-art Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing starting Aug. 17. In our region, thousands of manufacturing and nuclear jobs are expected to be available over the next several years. Completion of these programs will provide you with the skills you need to be competitive in these fast-growing fields. ATC also serves a strong healthcare community consisting of medical centers, hospitals and numerous private practices and healthcare services. We have several health sciences programs including nursing, paramedic, radiologic technology, medical assisting and pharmacy technician. Students have the opportunity to receive quality, in-class instruction and participate in off-site clinical training to gain skills to be successful in their careers. We offer degrees in marketing, finance, accounting or computer technology for those interested in business and information technology. Students are taught how to navigate the fast-paced world of business and how use technology to stay competitive. At ATC, we also provide support and resources for students to help succeed academically. Our Academic Success Center offers free tutoring services to enrolled students through open labs, individual assistance and group tutoring. ATC is enrolling students now for the Fall 2015 semester, which starts Aug. 17. Get started today by calling 803-508-7263 or visit us at www.atc.edu. Start Here…Succeed Anywhere!
Megiddo KidsStation The Megiddo KidStation is part of Megiddo Dream Station. As Megiddo began to grow, Kay Benitez, the Director of Megiddo Dream Station wanted a program for children that would teach children Christian values, the love of Jesus, goal setting and work ethic. Carola Dearman, a certified teacher, came to Megiddo eager to volunteer. It was clear that she was an answer to prayer and that she was God’s choice for this new venture. The KidStation was established and the “Diapers to Diplomas” program was established. The mission of the program is to ensure children are given the skills and resources they need to move through each stage of development, so they can graduate from high school and continue their academic goals beyond. The first 6 months the program was very small, meeting in the Dream Station building one night a week. In March of 2013, the program moved into the old purchasing building across from Hickman Hall. This building had more space
for us to grow and include more community kids. Programs included child care for our adult students at Megiddo Dream Station, after school programs with homework support, afterschool feeding program, and spring and summer programs for when school was out. The KidStation program has grown over the last couple of years. Volunteers have helped many children to stay on grade level and learn more about the program through our afterschool program. The
summer program is an eight week enrichment program including a trip to the zoo, swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, and Vacation Bible School. The KidStation attends Worship on Wednesday every week at Cedar Creek Baptist Church. The KidStation is thankful for the wonderful volunteers who make these programs possible. If anyone is interested in enrolling in this program or want to assist with this please call Carola Dearman at 803 392 7044.
Saturday, August 1, 2015 • 15
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Graniteville Community Coalition
Louisiana W. Sanders By Louisiana W. Sanders The Graniteville Community Coalition (GCC), a grassroots community organization founded in 2005, immediately after the chlorine spill, was organized to assist the GVW community and provide education, information, and resource contacts, etc., concerning the spill and to provide emergency preparedness awareness. The GCC partnered with the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Graniteville in 2006 to acquire an Environmental Protection Agency “Small Community Capacity Building” grant to educate the community about the effects of the chlorine on their health, environment and property. GCC hosted several workshops in the area to present this information to the public. GCC is a community advocate for community revitalization, economic development, job training, new jobs for the community and access to affordable health care. The EPA Small Community Capacity Building grant helped to fund a series of public meetings, training
workshops, and several group meetings. These meetings were held with the help of SCDHEC and the GCC to inform the community of what was going on. This small community had very strong feelings about what efforts were being made to help the three communities survive after the Graniteville train wreck and chlorine spill. Some were reluctant to get involved in the beginning because they felt that they did not have a voice, no one was listening, and some had no medical home for medical care and assistance. This problem lead me to call a meeting with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, pastors, churches, business leaders and others in the GVW communities to talk about what could be done to help the community. This lead to the founding and creation of the Graniteville Community Coalition (GCC). This community group wanted to know what the elected officials, leaders, and Norfork Southern train company, were going to do to help them in this tragic situation. The GCC has partnered with the University of SC-Columbia, the Medical University of SC, Charleston, Tulane University, other universities, the SCDHEC, USEPA, CDC-ATSDR, and several local churches and organizations in the GVW community to bring grant funds to the community for health screenings, Brownfields cleanup, education initiatives, job training, etc. These partnerships have resulted in the creation of the Graniteville Recovery and Chlorine Epidemiology Center (GRACE) in Graniteville where a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant was secured to fund free lung function testing that is provided to the former mill workers who may have been adversely impacted by the chlorine spill. GCC is currently partnering with the Medical University of SC on the new ATSDR Brownfield grant currently on going. The assistance from all the universities and their staff members, along with SCDHEC, EPA, GCC, Bethlehem Bap-
tist Church, Christian Heritage Church, other churches, and businesses in the area has been very beneficial in assisting and addressing long term impacts from the disaster and the quality of life of the Graniteville residents. This effort would not have been so successful without the assistance of several members of the GVW communities. Many who volunteered their time before any grants came to the area. Community
engagement has allowed the residents to come closer together for the same cause. We now see that there are some good things occurring in the community with the GRACE Center, job training initiatives, industry relocating to the area, more health care interest, job creation for the future and the new Brownfields Community Project. The GCC will continue to work for a great GVW community.
16 • Saturday, August 1, 2015
The GVW Report is sponsored by:
Department of Public Health Sciences www.musc.edu/phs
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville