Palmetto Goodwill revealed on Wednesday that they have been granted $100,000 from The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF) to bolster their efforts in serving rural communities.
Leon Levine, the founder and former Chairman of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., is the driving force behind this generous grant.
“Palmetto Goodwill is dedicated to changing lives by ensuring equitable access to training, education, and employment,” said Brian Itzkowitz, president and CEO of Palmetto Goodwill in a press release. “With this generous grant from TLLF, we are intensifying our focus on addressing the persistent needs of rural residents living in poverty within our service area and providing a pathway out of poverty.”
A portion of this grant will be allocated towards the reopening of the Career Opportunity Center in Orangeburg, which had to close its doors during the pandemic. This center will provide essential career services, training programs, and employment assistance to local residents.
In addition to revitalizing the Career Opportunity Center, Palmetto Goodwill intends to deploy its Mobile Career Opportunity Center across nine rural counties. These counties include Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Hampton, Lee, Marion, Sumter, and Williamsburg.
The mobile unit will be equipped to offer comprehensive career and employment services, with a special focus on aiding veterans within these communities. This initiative underscores Palmetto Goodwill’s commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering individuals in rural areas.
