Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center Looks Forward to Resident's Graduation in May 2009

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Greenville, SC—When Cherine Rice walked through the door of the Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center four years ago, her main goal was to offer her time and energy as a volunteer at the center. However, it did not take long for Tammy Bruster, regional resident service coordinator for Westminster Management Company (the property management company that operates Crestwood Forest Apartments), to recognize that Rice had more to offer than her time and talent.

In May 2009, Rice will be taking another walk. This time, she will be wearing a cap and gown and walking across the stage at the Greenville Technical College to receive her associate degree in administrative office technology. From there, Rice will walk through the doors of opportunity that are opened with a college degree.

Sharing Time and Wisdom

Rice's journey began in 2005 when she became a volunteer at the Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center. As a volunteer, she mentored girls ages 5-18 who participated in a Vogue Modeling Club sponsored by community resident, Twana Dirton. The club, which met every Thursday and Friday, taught girls runway walks, posing, and different styles of modeling, as well as aimed to bolster self-esteem. As a mentor, Rice encouraged the girls to maintain a positive attitude and to choose abstinence.

Later that summer, the Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center partnered with Seneca Human Affairs Council's Medicaid Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services (MAPPS) Program, a sponsor of Reaching Out and Shaping Young Minds Summer Camp. Created for youth between the ages of 8-18, the camp focused on building self-esteem, setting goals, not bending to peer pressure, and choosing abstinence. As a part-time camp assistant, Rice mentored the youth and reinforced the goals of the camp.

"Cherine was particularly attracted to this unique program because she understands from experience the difficult struggle a young teenage parent has to overcome in today's society," explained Bruster. "The program gave Cherine an opportunity to speak out about the pitfalls of early premarital sex, and the challenges of raising children as a teen parent."

Recognizing Potential

It was during the summer camp experience that Rice's natural talent and intelligence shined. Following summer camp, Bruster began encouraging Rice to develop educational goals. With the help and support of Bruster, Rice enrolled at Greenville Technical College in the fall of 2005.

"Cherine encountered and conquered many obstacles during her journey toward the finish line," described Bruster. "One of her biggest obstacles was having no transportation to and from school. However, Cherine was determined not to let anything prevent her from attending college. She turned to friends, family members, and even me for transportation until she was able to purchase her own car in 2006. Sometimes, transportation was not an issue because Cherine could use one of the six computers at the center to participate in and complete the assignments for her online classes. She would also use the computers to conduct research and complete homework assignments."

Despite the many obstacles that laid in her way, Rice has been an exceptional student at Greenville Technical College. She has earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester, and she maintains a 3.0 grade point average.

"Cherine has been enrolled in a minimum of three classes each semester," reported Bruster. "Because the course work can be intense and raising four young children is time-consuming, she did not work but instead focused her energy on her studies. Thankfully, her college tuition was covered by grants, including the South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance program and Pell grants."

Celebrating Success and Looking to the Future

In May 2009, Rice will graduate from Greenville Technical College with an associate degree in administrative office technology. Greenville Technical College's program, which is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), prepares students for administrative-level office positions in business, industry, and/or government agencies. The program includes training in the latest, as well as emerging, technologies that include keyboarding and word processing, office procedures, accounting, business communication, and computer applications. Upon completion, students are proficient in business application software, communication, customer service, Internet research, and office management skills needed to be an efficient and effective office team member.

Once Rice completes her degree, her immediate goal is to obtain a full-time position. "There are several large companies located in the Greenville area, including Charter Communications and Fluor Daniel," said Bruster. "Cherine is hoping to obtain a job with one of these larger companies so she can take advantage of any tuition reimbursement program they might have to offer. This will allow her to achieve her next goal, which is to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science. She also hopes to purchase a new home with a big back yard as requested by her nine-year-old daughter." Bruster continued to say, "For Cherine, a single mother of four [Keidra, Laquita, Tykenna, and Avja], the road to becoming a college graduate has been a long and challenging one. It has been her determination, perseverance, and a desire to provide a better life for her family that motivated her to keep pressing forward to achieve her educational and personal goals. She truly is an inspiration to the other 300 or so residents living at Crestwood Apartments."

For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in South Carolina, contact:

Elaine F. Bennett
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Columbia Multifamily Program Center
1835 Assembly Street, 13th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 253-3925

For more information about the Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center, contact:

Tammy Bruster
Regional Resident Service Coordinator
Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center
100 Crestwood Road
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 444-9372