Lowcountry Youth Services awarded $70,000 grant from Power:Ed to strengthen youth mentoring and leadership programs
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – December 11, 2025 – Lowcountry Youth Services (LYS), a nonprofit organization empowering youth across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, has received a $70,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropic arm of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation. This award will support the expansion of LYS’s signature programs—Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club and Queens’ Being—while deepening their impact in the community. LYS will serve 100 students in grades 6–12 during the 2025–2026 program year, focusing on leadership development, whole-child support, and workforce preparation.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Power:Ed. We pride ourselves on providing quality programming for our youth and their families, and this grant will allow us to keep going and push even further,” said Lowcountry Youth Services Executive Director ReZsaun Lewis.
The Power:Ed Grant will enable Lowcountry Youth Services to:
• Strengthen program staffing by supporting key roles, including program directors, administrative support, and leadership personnel
• Enhance student experiences through leadership workshops, skill-building sessions, college- and career-readiness activities, and educational outings
• Enhance visibility and accessibility through targeted outreach and marketing
• Engage families and communities through events that reinforce learning, connection, and support
“We are pleased support Lowcountry Youth Services with a grant for a second year in a row to expand program access and impact, enabling more area youth to achieve their full potential,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons. “The ultimate goal is to achieve positive outcomes, such as better family relationships, increased high school graduations, and higher college or workforce training enrollment rates.”
Power:Ed plans to award $1,325,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations in FY2025-26. In this second fiscal quarter, Power:Ed awarded five grants, including this grant to LYS, totaling $264,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is January 1, 2026.
About Lowcountry Youth Services
Founded to provide mentorship and structured support for youth, Lowcountry Youth Services has impacted over 1,200 young people since its inception. Its evidence-based programming promotes character, accountability, and purpose—empowering youth to break cycles of poverty and pursue long-term success. The organization partners with schools, families, and community organizations to ensure every child has access to the tools, relationships, and experiences they need to thrive.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Organizations serving middle school through post-college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.