Vital Connections of the Midlands

08/24/2026

August 21, 2026

4K Eligibility Expansion is Approved!

Governor Henry McMaster approved FY 2026‑2027 South Carolina General Appropriations Act on Monday, including the expansion for 4K eligibility from 185% to 300%! If you have conditionally approved students, they are now eligible to participate in First Steps 4K.

Help spread the word! Please share the following message on social media and/or other marketing channels:

First Steps 4K Eligibility is Expanded!

Families with children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026, with family income(s) below 300% FPL are now eligible for participation in First Steps 4K. For example, a family of four making $99,000 or less annually now qualifies. First Steps 4K provides high quality, FREE preschool in private childcare, charter schools, and private schools. Check out www.Free4KSC.org for open slots near you!

Parents who qualify under expanded eligibility (between 185% and 300% federal poverty level) do NOT qualify for 4K+ Sibling Scholarships.

First Steps 4K offers free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten to qualifying children in South Carolina. We partner with more than 300 licensed child care centers and private schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs.

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

Lakeview Empowerment Center Community Baby Shower

08/04/2026

Black Philanthropy Month is an opportunity to recognize the power of community investment to create lasting change.

At Vital Connections of the Midlands, we're proud to launch an expanded maternal health initiative that addresses disparities affecting Black mothers and their children through evidence-informed, wraparound support.

Our enhanced maternal health program includes doula services, maternal mental health counseling, expanded home visits, and care coordination—designed to improve maternal and infant outcomes while strengthening families from the very beginning.

We invite our partners, supporters, and community leaders to join us in making healthier beginnings possible. Together, we can transform outcomes for mothers, babies, and generations to come.

Visit www.vitalconnectionsmidlands.org to get connected!

07/30/2026

Help us pack Segra Park on August 25th at 7:00 ⚾! The Pack the Park fundraiser is a tradition at VCM and brings out our parents, volunteers, staff, and supporters. The Columbia Fireflies will play the Charleston Riverdogs that evening (and it's $2 Tuesday🌭🥨🥤)! Bring your friends and family out to the game for great fun while supporting our children and families. When you use the Vital Connections link to make your purchase, we'll receive $5 for each ticket we sell! Let's Pack the Park!

8/25/26 @ 7:05 PM - Vital Connections of the Midlands Inc.

07/29/2026

Children’s Garden EHS Star classroom end of the year celebration

07/27/2026

📣 3K Enrollment Now Open at Children’s Garden!
Children’s Garden currently has limited 3K slots available.
Our 3K program provides a nurturing, engaging learning environment that supports children’s social, emotional, and academic growth while preparing them for kindergarten success.
✔️ Qualified and caring teachers
✔️ Developmentally appropriate curriculum
✔️ Safe, supportive learning environment
✔️ Enrollment available throughout the summer months
Families interested in enrolling their child are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.
📞 Contact Children’s Garden today for more information or to enroll!
803.333.0608

07/27/2026

📣 4K Enrollment Now Open at Children’s Garden!
Children’s Garden currently has limited 4K slots available.
Our 4K program provides a nurturing, engaging learning environment that supports children’s social, emotional, and academic growth while preparing them for kindergarten success.
✔️ Qualified and caring teachers
✔️ Developmentally appropriate curriculum
✔️ Safe, supportive learning environment
✔️ Enrollment available throughout the summer months
Families interested in enrolling their child are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.
📞 Contact Children’s Garden today for more information or to enroll!
803.333.0608 (office)

07/24/2026

Yellow Room Chalk Time

07/23/2026

Learning to spell our names in the purple room