Trident Technical College, Charleston Area Urban League, and Bank of America Partner to Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week and Expand Apprenticeship Programs

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$55,000 from Bank of America will support Charleston regional youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship pipeline programs for local students

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor is celebrating its 8th annual National Apprenticeship Week, November 14-18, and highlighting several key themes throughout the week, including Pre-Apprenticeship and Youth Apprenticeship on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Trident Technical College is participating in the celebration by co-hosting a webinar called “Collaborate, Don’t Compete: Developing High-Quality RTI for Youth Apprenticeships” with Berkeley County School District. The webinar is aimed at providing best practices for institutions throughout the United States that want to implement or improve their own youth apprenticeship programs. 

“Youth apprenticeship programs have power, the power to change lives in remarkable ways and the power to accelerate our economy and build strong communities,” Trident Technical College President Dr. Mary Thornley said. “Trident Technical College and our partners in the Charleston, SC region have seen tremendous successes as a result of our collective commitment to building and providing these high-quality educational opportunities for youth. As a USDOL Apprenticeship Ambassador, we are passionately committed to expanding these opportunities within our community, to sharing this vision with others, and to promoting and supporting the development of youth apprenticeship programs in other communities across the nation.” 

Since its creation in 2014, local employer partners in the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships (CRYA) have hired 535 youth apprentices. In 2022 90 CRYA apprentices were hired by Charleston area businesses. Beginning with 13 youth apprentices spread across six employer partners in a single career training pathway in 2014, CRYA now works with more than 180 employer partners to offer 18 separate career training pathways. The rigorous two-year program typically sees significantly higher completion rates compared to traditional students enrolled in the same certificate programs at Trident Technical College. 

Trident Technical College and Charleston Area Urban League have partnered to expand participation in youth apprenticeships, especially among minority and historically underserved students. Charleston Area Urban League’s youth employment and pre-apprenticeship programs complement those of Trident Tech and other technical colleges across South Carolina by educating high school students about the opportunities that apprenticeships can offer and building a pipeline of strong candidates for apprenticeships.  

“The Urban League aims to help historically underserved students to achieve a higher quality of life and earning power to more productively compete in the economic mainstream as qualified employees through apprenticeships,” said Charleston Area Urban League President and CEO Otha Meadows. “With support from partners like Bank of America and our collaborative efforts with Trident Technical College – and the entire South Carolina technical college system, we increase our collective impact as we work toward a common goal of creating economic opportunities for area youth.”  

The coordinated efforts of the Charleston Area Urban League and Trident Technical College are aligned with those of Bank of America’s support of youth employment and workforce development programs in local communities. To further the impact of the apprenticeship programs building and maintaining a youth employment pipeline, the bank has awarded $30,000 in grant support of Trident Technical College’s expansion of youth apprenticeship programs and pathways. The bank also awarded Charleston Area Urban League $25,000 for student education and recruitments as part of the pre-apprenticeship program. 

“Bank of America is committed to investing in organizations like Trident Technical College and Charleston Area Urban League that are joining the bank’s efforts to advance racial equality and economic opportunity,” said Mark Munn, President of Bank of America Charleston / Hilton Head. “Supporting youth employment and workforce development programs like apprenticeships is just one way the bank helps build job skills and create opportunities to help people succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s economy.” 

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide effort by industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders showcasing the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities. 

Top 10 Spooky Places in Charleston, South Carolina – New Video

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Top 10 Spooky Places in Charleston, South Carolina

  1. White Point Garden
    Legend has it that pirates haunt this garden looking for their ship. People say they have seen orbs and other apparitions. Many have reported walking through cold spots throughout these gardens.
  2. Old City Jail
    The Old City Jail was in use between 1802 and 1939 and held many prisoners during its time in use. During the Civil War, it held Union and Confederate troops. Pirates have a rich history in Charleston and many were imprisoned there.
  3. Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
    Once known as the Half-Moon Battery, it was a center of trade in Charleston and held a prison underneath it. There are still parts of the original city walls at this location.
    The prison was used to hold soldiers of The Revolutionary War by Colonialists and the British. It held prisoners from The Civil War including Union and Confederate Troops. But most famously, it was used to hold pirate legends such as Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard.
  4. Poogan’s Porch
    This house was turn into a restaurant in 1976. The owners soon found that the previous owners left behind their dog. Poogan, the name of the sweet white-haired dog, was adopted by restaurant owners. They decided to name the new restaurant in the dog’s name, Poogan’s Porch.
    Poogan served as the unofficial greeter of the restaurant until he passed away in 1979.
  5. Circular Church Graveyard.
    This Graveyard is one of the oldest graveyards in Charleston and Boasts nearly 500 gravesites that date back to 1695.
    Many of the stories here have come from tours through the graveyard. One tour guide recounted that one night she noticed a strange person walking around the graveyard. The guide said that it looked like a man dressed as a Revolutionary Soldier. According to her, she saw the figure at least 4 more times.
  6. Battery Carriage House Inn
    The Inn one of the most historic hotels in Charleston and dated back to the 1850’s. It has had many owners throughout its history and became a hotel in the 1980s.
    Employees and numerous guests have reported seeing spirits and hauntings at the inn. They say that there are many different spirits that haunt the inn since the end of The Civil War.
  7. St. Philips Graveyard
    The St. Philips Church is originally established in 1681 and this beautiful cemetery is located across the street from the church. It holds some of the more well-known historical figures of Charleston’s past including signors of The Declaration Of Independence and the US Constitution.
    In the 1980’s, a photographer came to the cemetery to take photos. He was able to get a photograph of a woman wearing a shawl bent over a grave of an infant. It is believed the women was Sue Howard who lost her child at birth in 1888. Sue died only 6 days after losing her child. The photographer had the photo analyzed and was determined to be real.
  8. Dock Street Theatre
    The Theatre is believed to have one of the more famous ghosts in Charleston, the ghost of Junius Booth the father of the Assassin, John Wilkes Booth.
    Another ghost at the theater is Nettie. She lived in Charleston in the mid-1800s and would frequent this location when it was Planter’s Hotel as a prostitute.
  9. Unitarian Church Cemetery
    The Unitarian Church is the second oldest church in Charleston. Two of the cemetery’s ghost are Mary Whitridge and Annabel Lee.
    Mary Whitridge lived with her husband in Charleston. He was a smoker and had extreme breathing problems. He took a trip to Baltimore to visit doctors to help him. On his trip to Baltimore, he fell ill and died. Legend has it that she collapsed and died in her home on the same day that he died.
    Another haunting is that of Annabel Lee. She fell in love with a man named Edward Allen. He was a soldier that was stationed at Ft. Moultrie. Anna’s father did not approve of their relationship. Because of his status, he was able to have Edward moved to a new location, Baltimore. While Edward was stationed in Baltimore, Anna fell ill. Once Edward heard about her sickness, he left to come back to her only to come too late. She had died.
    Edward started later found a new calling in life as a writer. He would soon be known as Edgar Allen Poe and go on to write about his love, Anna in a poem called, Annabel Lee.
  10. The Powder Magazine
    It was built to hold gunpowder for use during The Revolutionary War. After The Revolutionary War, The Powder Magazine was used as a storage building.
    It is said that the building is haunted by the ghost of Anne Bonny. Anne Bonny was born in Ireland around 1697 as an illegitimate child. Her father left his wife and married Anne’s mother. He then took his new family to Charleston to start a new life.
    When Anne was 16, she met and fell in love with a Pirate named, James Bonny. Anne’s father did not agree with the relationship. They married anyway and shortly after moved to New Providence Island, Bahamas.

TOP 5 Pros & Cons of Living In Charleston South Carolina – New Video

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Enjoy this new video by the Charleston 4 Real team.

About the video

What are the TOP PROS & CONS of Living in Charleston South Carolina? Let’s talk about the best and worst things about moving to Charleston South Carolina!

Just how bad are the HURRICANES? What other issues accompany the hurricane situation? We’ll discuss all of the good and bad. This was shot during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and includes footage from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and was posted during Hurricane Nicole in 2022.

Charleston South Carolina is also known as “The Lowcountry.” The Lowcountry of Charleston South Carolina is a great place to live for many reasons! The cost of living is affordable, there are plenty of job opportunities, and the city has a lot to offer in terms of great weather, endless activities and wonderful culture.

Charleston SC also has some of the best food, and some great entertainment options, both inside the “Peninsula” of Charleston SC and out in the Charleston SC suburbs. Whether you’re looking for amazing food, fun things to do, or casual places to visit, Charleston SC has it ALL.

Today, I’ll talk about the TOP PROS & CONS of living in Charleston SC, so that you can decide whether or not moving to Charleston SC is a good decision for you and your family.

Charleston South Carolina has many excellent suburbs, as well, including: Daniel Island, Edisto Island, Folly Beach, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Hollywood, Huger, Isle of Palms, James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, Ladson, Manning, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Ridgeville, Seabrook Island, Sullivans Island, Summerville & Walterboro.

Charleston, South Carolina’s Thinnest House

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“The Afro-American has become heir to the myths that it is better to be poor than rich. Lower-class rather than middle or upper. Easy going rather than industrious. Extravagant rather than thrifty and athletic rather than academic.”

Right in the heart of the East side on corner of Reid and America Street is Charleston, South Carolina’s thinnest house. This home, which later became an art installation for Spoleto and now source of wonder for those passerby walkers, joggers and adventurers.

Next time you are on the East side, take some time to admire the rich history and proud sense of community.

It truly is a beautiful part of our city.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Leon – Charleston Daily

New Surf Shop opening in downtown Charleston – Quiet Storm Surf Shop

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The location formally occupied by The Loft will soon be reopening as the brand new Quiet Storm Surf Shop.

267 King Street will now be a haven for beach vibes and ocean lovers.

Quiet Storm has been in business since 1984 providing affordable clothing, boards, accessories and more and are excited to be part of the King Street shopping experience.

Official website

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Ashley River Property Protected Forever

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LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST PROTECTS VITAL LAND WITHIN ASHLEY RIVER HISTORIC DISTRIC

Conservation easement will provide invaluable benefits for national scenic byway and state scenic river.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC – Lowcountry Land Trust announced today the permanent protection of 33 acres on the Ashley River in the heart of one of South Carolina’s most iconic landscapes, the Ashley River Historic District. The three properties making up the site are owned by members of the Carter family and are each bounded by the District’s national scenic byway and state scenic river

The properties are part of a growing network of protected lands in the Historic District, which in 2018 was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a “National Treasure” and one of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Located in the Cooper, Ashley, Wando, and Stono (CAWS) conservation focus area of South Carolina, the protection of these properties will provide invaluable ecosystem services, such as the enhancement of downstream water quality and the protection of natural and biologically diverse habitats in the Ashley River watershed. In addition, the conservation easements will forever protect the scenic views of the property from the state scenic river and the national scenic byway and contribute to the protection of a 25,000-acre historic landscape that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We are grateful to the Carter family for the many public benefits that come from protecting their ecologically and culturally rich properties along the beautiful Ashley River and Ashley River Road,” said David Ray, Chief Conservation Officer of the Lowcountry Land Trust. “The project’s completion demonstrates the vigor conservationists and landowners continue to bring to saving this nationally significant place in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST

Founded in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust partners with landowners and community organizations to permanently protect and nurture land throughout coastal South Carolina. Lowcountry Land Trust holds conservation easements on over 150,000 acres across 17 counties in coastal South Carolina and manages community-centered places such as the Angel Oak Preserve. More information about
the Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria (Futrell) Bock, vbock@lowcountrylandtrust.org, 843.410.067