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Pro Bono Week: South Carolina’s C.A.R.E. Program

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

As part of Pro Bono Week, the Court is highlighting the different bankruptcy-related public service programs sponsored by the Court. Today, the Court would like to recognize the South Carolina Credit Abuse Resistance Education (C.A.R.E.) Program.

The C.A.R.E. Program is a financial literacy education program for students and young adults taught by volunteer attorneys at schools, conferences, churches and other community centers. Volunteer attorneys conduct a one-hour presentation on the use of credit and its related consequences as well as the advantages of budgeting and creating savings. Prior to giving a presentation, volunteer attorneys are provided interactive presentation materials and training.

In the past year, the C.A.R.E. Program has provided 15 presentations at several locations, including the University of South Carolina-Columbia, University of South Carolina-Sumter, A.C. Moore Elementary School, the Lexington County Public Library, Converse College, Blythewood High School, Cooperation Ministries, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Clover High School, Liberty High School, Dreher High School, and the Southeast Church of Christ.

Like last year, a C.A.R.E. team is presenting at the South Carolina Financial Forum today to over 100 educators from across the state.  

Special recognition goes to the C.A.R.E. Program’s chairs, Janet Haigler and Pamela Simmons-Beasley, for their tireless efforts, as well as those presenters who have dedicated their time and efforts to present this year, often in teams, including: 

Jane Downey 
Marilyn Gartley 
Dan Stone 
Gretchen Holland 
Maureen White 
Susan Ingles 
Kathleen Muthig 
Kyle Brannon 
Lauren Schumann 

The aim of the C.A.R.E. Program for the upcoming year is to encourage all of its 45 present volunteers to take the initiative and offer C.A.R.E. presentations in their local schools and community centers, with the assistance, if necessary, from experienced C.A.R.E. presenters. 

If you are interested in assisting the S.C. C.A.R.E. Program, please visit https://www.probono.net/sc/care/ or contact Janet Haigler (jhaigler@haiglerlawfirm.com) or Pamela Simmons-Beasley (pamb@ch13trustee.net).