Empowering Youth SC

11/11/2025

Empowering Youth SC (SEL4SC) is winding down program operations, with administrative close-out to be completed by December 31, 2025. We are deeply grateful to the students, families, educators, partners, and supporters who have been part of this work. The impact of the conversations, workshops, and events we shared will continue in the lives and relationships of those we served.

Thank you for being part of this chapter.

For questions or records, please contact Janie Lauve at [email protected].

11/06/2025

Thanks to Holy City Sinner for helping us get the word out about our free screening of "Screenagers Elementary School Age Edition" at Charleston County Public Library on November 13!

Empowering Youth South Carolina (EYSC) will host a free community screening of Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library, 1400 Carolina Park Blvd.

11/06/2025

New data shows the number of South Carolina students who are missing classes is dropping — but not by much.

Last year, a student-led focus group cited bullying and mental health issues among leading contributors to the state's troubling absenteeism rate.

Read more from Yahoo News:

South Carolina's chronic absenteeism rate has slightly decreased, but the issue still persists due to safety concerns, physical school conditions, mental health issues, teacher shortages, and transportation challenges.

11/03/2025

Without a doubt, the most commonly asked questions we hear from parents at our Community Engagement Series events are related to how much time their kids should spend in front of screens and how to make that time safe.

The latest film in the Screenagers series, “Elementary School Age Edition,” addresses issues that kids, parents, and educators are facing, like smartwatches in class, unhooking from and monitoring video gaming, social media pressures, and more.

We’ll be presenting a free screening of this 26-minute documentary film at the Wando Mount Pleasant branch of the Charleston County Public Library on Thursday, November 13. Doors open at 6 p.m. The screening starts at 6:15, and will be followed by an expert Q&A for parents and students.

Click here to register for this free event: https://forms.gle/iaHW9HZBCXPuwPLv6

11/03/2025

Research shows that even infants have a basic sense of right and wrong. In one Yale study, babies as young as three months preferred “helpful” characters, and by their first birthday, many were already comforting others.

But while these findings show that morality appears early, experts say common sense — the ability to make sound, practical judgments — develops more slowly and needs nurturing.

Read more from Newsweek:

Experts tell Newsweek why parents should let kids make mistakes, learn from experience, and even face a few natural consequences.

10/30/2025

📣 You’re invited!

Join us for Empowering Youth South Carolina’s very first Vision Forum this November.

📅 Save the date: Monday, November 17th
⏰ 6:30 p.m. EST
👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wDJ-bwt1QCyQwwJeCoM4dQ

Learn more about our impact this year and be among the first to hear about what’s ahead in 2026.

10/30/2025

🎬 Creating Conversations That Change Lives.
Empowering Youth SC proudly hosted a community event screening and community panel at North Hills Church along with Seacoast Church in Greenville — a space for real stories, real reflection, and real growth. 💡

Our community partner, Kara Robinson from , shared that she “wished her parents could’ve seen this when she was a teenager.” That’s exactly why we do this — to spark understanding, bridge generations, and open doors for the next wave of youth and families. 💬❤️

💭 Let’s keep this movement going.
If you’re an organization, school, or community group ready to bring powerful conversations like this to your area — reach out to Empowering Youth SC. Together, we can empower, equip, and elevate every generation.

10/29/2025

We’d like to thank the warm and engaged crowd of students, parents, and community members who attended Sunday night’s Community Engagement Series Event featuring a screening of “Screenagers Next Chapter” at North Hills Church in Taylors.

Thank you to North Hills and Seacoast Church - Greenville for presenting the event, as well as Tim Wadsworth, Director of Student Ministry at North Hills, and Lynn Adams, Director of Crisis Counseling at North Hills, for offering valuable perspective and advice during the Q&A session. We’d also like to thank NAMI Greenville for sharing sharing helpful information and resources with attendees.

10/24/2025

JUST TWO DAYS AWAY!

EYSC is excited to be partnering with North Hills Church and Seacoast Church - Greenville to bring our Community Engagement Series featuring a screening of “Screenagers Next Chapter" at North Hills Church in Taylors this Sunday night.

This documentary film examines what can be done in our schools and homes to help teen's build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.

This free screening will be following by a Q&A with local mental health counselors and parenting experts.

Food will be served at 5 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Screening will begin at 5:45 p.m.

Click here to register: https://forms.gle/ndaqgvcmv9GtFHew9

10/24/2025

EYSC youth ambassador Alli Stovall served as the only American representative on the Youth Empowerment & Capacity Building panel at last month's International Youth Conference, presented in partnership with the United Nations. The session, live-streamed to more than 5.8 million people worldwide, spotlighted Alli's leadership in motivating young people to rise and lead with purpose.

Read more in the Moultrie News:

Charleston resident and youth advocate, Alli Stovall, took the global stage on Sept. 25 as the only American representative on the Youth Empowerment & Capacity Building panel at the International Youth Conference (IYC) — an event presented in partnership with the United Nations through the Interna...

10/20/2025

The EYSC Community Engagement Series is back!

Helping young people find strength in a stressful world starts with open conversations. Join other parents and young people for an evening of insight, dialogue, and tools that address screen time, substance use, and mental and emotional well-being.

The EYSC Community Engagement Series features:

• Screenings of the acclaimed “Screenagers” documentary films
• Q&A sessions with expert panelists
• Local organizations on-site with valuable resources and support

Learn more at empoweringyouthsc.org/community-engagement-series

10/17/2025

A new study finds the COVID-19 pandemic hit students with anxiety, depression and ADHD especially hard — and for many, the challenges to engage in learning continue.

Read more from HealthDay News:

Are kids still struggling to stay focused in school after the COVID-19 pandemic?Many students lost interest during the shutdown — but new research shows childre