Here at Peaceful Living Wellness, we always advocate for our busy moms to invest time and energy into the things that they are passionate about. For me, Focus Up Charleston has become one of those passion investments.
Focus Up is a nonprofit that pairs young people with mentors who help them learn the life skills that they need to excel in adulthood. The teens and young adults enrolled in this mentorship program are taught both hard and soft skills, from interpersonal communication to financial literacy. These skills set them up for success in college, the workplace, and even in their personal lives.
Focus Up Charleston was founded in 2022 by Stephen Slappey, a local business owner who describes himself as “a servant at heart and a seeker of knowledge and communication.” He says that he saw a “consistent fear of the unknown” in local teens and young adults, and recognized the need for an organization focused on helping them overcome that fear.
As the parent of a young person here in Charleston, SC, Focus Up’s mission hits close to home. I’ve seen how many of our young people haven’t been equipped with the knowledge and skills that they need to succeed. So when Stephen Slappey approached me to become a board member, I enthusiastically agreed.
Education
In addition to providing local youth with weekly one-on-one mentorship, Focus Up provides 3 pillars of education.
The first pillar, Life Skills, teaches them “ important skills like financial literacy, resume building, and car and house maintenance.” The second pillar, Soft Skills, teaches them “how to communicate with the outside world effectively from meeting someone for the first time, interviewing, and conflict resolution.” The third pillar “takes an introspective look into ideals such as perseverance, empathy, and critical thinking allowing them to better understand themselves and the world around them.”
Young people enrolled in the mentorship program also get 24/7 access to an online library of resources to further empower them in their day-to-day lives. In the words of founder Stephen Slappey, “Our goal is to transition the young people in our city away from the path they are currently on where one in five drops out of school to young adults that would be able to take our city into the future!”
Focus Up’s Goals for the Future
Focus Up’s goal is to change the lives of 1,000 young adults in the Charleston area in the next 3-5 years. As the organization grows, they hope to someday mentor 6,000 young adults per year.
Does this sound like a mission you can get behind? Let’s talk about a few of the ways that you can support Focus Up Charleston in its mission!
How You Can Support Focus Up Charleston
There are lots of ways for you to support Focus Up, so you can choose to support in the way that’s best for you!
Become a Mentor
If you want to get hands-on in mentoring young people in Charleston, contact Focus Up! They are always excited to add new mentors to the roster.
Volunteer for the Next Fundraiser
Focus Up needs extra hands to help with fundraising efforts! The biggest barrier to growth for a new nonprofit is funding. If you can donate your time to help the organization raise money, reach out!
Donate
Every dollar helps in an organization like Focus Up. Can you spare an extra $5? Donate it! If you’re willing to commit to a small monthly donation, even better. You can donate or learn more here.
Sponsor
Focus Up works closely with local businesses, and business sponsorships play an important role in the organization’s success! You can contact Focus Up directly to learn more about sponsorship tiers.
