Giving parents the opportunity to complete their education was a goal the Darlington-Lee Education Program wanted to achieve.
The program now offers free daycare services for students in all seven of their locations. Recently, the Bishopville site added the childcare services after students expressed their difficulties finding a babysitter.
Wanda Govan is the site manager at the Bishopville location. She was excited to tell former students about the new service.
“I had one student who had to quit last year because she didn’t have childcare. She was like “oh my God, I can’t believe this,” so we actually contacted her to let her know, and she was like I’ll be at the next registration, and there she was,” Govan said.
With the addition, Govan said she expects more people will sign up at the next registration on March 6.
In order to offer on-site childcare, the program started partnerships with local organizations in each area. The Bishopville location partners with the Helping Hands Program. In Darlington and Hartsville, childcare is provided by First Steps.
Another way the program makes it easier for individuals is by offering night classes from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students can receive free transportation, food, classes, testing and more.
According to Chuck Miller, Program Director, the main goal is to give more people a chance at being successful.
“Our mission with the program is to remove any barriers that may stand between the students and their educational goals, and we’ve made good progress here,” Miller said.
