YES Carolina!

January 13th, 2009: Jimmy Bailey , former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, brought us news of the Charleston based, YEScarolina, whose mission is to teach entrepreneurship to young South Carolinians of all socio-economic backgrounds and to enhance their economic productivity by improving their business, academic and life skills. An offshoot of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, it is a non- profit organization created to offer South Carolina educators the opportunity to utilize a curriculum written by acclaimed business teacher Steve Mariotti, founder of NFTE. From 2003 to 2008, 380 teachers have been trained. In 2009, YEScarolina will offer this training opportunity to 100 public school teachers without charge. The value of this scholarship is $1000.

The local group was spearheaded by Tommy Baker and Anita Zucker in 2004. It started in the city with the help of Mayor Riley and advanced statewide with the help of Bobby Harrell, state representative. In addition, a summer camp, BIZ CAMP, was sponsored by area Rotary Clubs and gave 15 local students three weeks to learn, polish and prepare a business plan for their own potential business venture.

Responding to the training course one teacher wrote, “Thanks so much for starting such a positive learning experience and fun course for the students to instantly apply to their lives!”

To learn more about, or assist with this program contact YEScarolina:
One Carriage Lane, Building G
843-556-1909
http://www.yescarolina.com/

Reported by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee