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About Us

About Us

Upstate Circle of Friends: History and Growth

May 2006

UCF Opened!

Mrs. Deloris Pinson was challenged with finding childcare for her special needs son. Realizing other special needs parents had the same problem, she resigned her position from the Greenville County School District and established Upstate Circle of Friends.

Feb. 2007

George Singleton Joined the Team

George Singleton, partnered with Ms. Pinson as Vice President and COO of Upstate Circle of Friends. grew and strengthened the programming with additional enrichment and funding resources that broadened the focus to youth and family programs.

Aug. 2007

Afterschool Programming

UCF opened an after-school program in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice to serve at-risk youth annually. It brought hope to families with economic hardships.

Summer 2011

Feeding Our Youth

UCF was approved as a provider of healthy meals to up to 1,200 youth attending Greenville County Recreations and Tourism Summer camps, and other church and community summer camps.

Feb. 2014

JRT Program

The Department of Juvenile Justice awarded Upstate Circle of Friends a five-year Job Readiness Training "JRT" paid intern program for up to 60 teens between the ages of lll -17 years of age annually.

Aug. 2014

Quest Leadership Academy

Quest Leadership Academy received approval from the SC Public Charter School District to begin enrollment for Fall 201/l establishing a solid, core based educational program to develop exceptional learners and leadership scholars who achieve their highest potential. Upstate Circle of Friends served as the home base for this charter school until 2020.

May 2016

Anniversary Mural

10-year Anniversary celebrated with a mural painted at the main entrance. The goal of this project was to depict the strengthen of the Belle Meade family structure and morale while accentuating historical values of Upstate Circle of Friends through the appreciation of the arts, landscaping, and continued beautification of the Belle Meade community.

Sep. 2017

Playful Playground

Construction and completion of the Playful Playground celebrated. A place where children experience physical and mental development and growth while simply being carefree kids in an environment of safety and inclusiveness.

Aug. 2019

VetForward Home 1

Construction of the first VetForward Home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths for a veteran family transitioning from homelessness. In Spring, 2020, a family, consisting of a Veteran and her two grandchildren, was qualified, and moved into the new VetForward home!

Sep. 2020

S.T.E.A.M. Program

Upstate Circle of Friends partnered with Clemson and SC State University to bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEAM) programming to at-risk youth in the Upstate.

Mar. 2020

COVID Feeding Program

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the schools and most businesses within SC. Most feeding program funding was cut, including the hot, nutritious supers UCF had been providing low-income children through Afterschool programs. In discussions with community stakeholders, it was realized many of the families of these children lost jobs and were struggling with access to basic needs. UCF sought private funding and was able to provide meals for households of 2 to 12 members with pick up locations following COVID-19 protocols. Over 22,000 meals were provided during this 60-day program.

Aug. 2020

Senior Food Program

UCF answered a dire need to provide hot, nutritious meals for Greenville senior citizens by putting together a partnership, sought funding, and managed the African American Nutrition with Heart Senior Meal program beginning September 2020, with 100 seniors initially participating. By October, 125 seniors were receiving hot nutritious meals through Easter 2021.

Sep. 2021

Southside HS Afterschool Program

UCF collaborated with Southside High School to provide afterschool and summer programs regarding healthy eating, safe food handling, and growing and harvesting nutritious food workshops. In August 2022 the USDA partnered with UCF to fund Edible Garden programming; and July 2023-Aug 202/l, with Clemson Ext llH program, UCF Urban Teaching Garden, and multiple funders grew this program to include mental health, importance of family interaction, and holistic focus on each student.

Aug. 2022

Urban Teaching Farm

UCF received a 3 year USDA grant to provide assistance in creating the UCF Urban Minority Teaching Garden. Through this program, multiple mediums and growing techniques including a greenhouse, AgroForest, and traditional and nontraditional varieties of fruits and vegetables are used. For more information about the programs available to our community members, visit https://www.ucfurbanteachingfarm.org.

Oct. 2022

Wellness Hub

As part of a multi organizational collaboration with Unity Health on Main and Just Say Something, the 3 year Healthy Greenville grant was awarded to provide multiple health services to the District 25 and surrounding communities, as well as parenting and youth programming in Spanish. March 202/l will see a major health and wellness component through the new Wellness Hub, focusing on chronic illnesses and mental health needs. All service fees are based on family income.

Jan. 2023

VetForward Services

Enhanced VetForward Service Program for veterans with assistance to apply for a variety services plus in-house programs to strengthen day-to-day living for our veterans and their families.

Jun. 2023

Black Girls Art Social

This program provides artistic and personal development experiences to young women in Middle and High School. They explore hands-on arts and crafts activities, diverse mentorship and instruction, broadening opportunities while building support peer relationships in a socially safe environment.

Jan. 2024

Daycare

A unique childcare organization is calling UCF home, and registering children 2 - 5 years old. For more information about the Dream Preparatory Academy, visit https://www.dreamprepacademyinc.org.

Feb. 2024

Award

The Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award is given annually by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce to an organization or individual that has shown exemplary efforts toward improving the lives of those in Greenville. The award is named in honor of former Greenville Mayor Max Heller, who spearheaded numerous efforts over the years to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Greenville County. The Chamber presented this award to Upstate Circle of Friends in honor of our 2023 work.