1. UrbanLeagueoftheUpstate
Annual Service Report 2015
Created and edited by Timothy J. Lindsey.

2. For more than 40 years, the Urban League of the
Upstate has been a leading provider of human
services for children, families, seniors and young
professionals. Over the past decade the condition
of our economic climate illustrated an urgent need
for families to obtain gainful employment, save their
homes from being foreclosed and have equal ac-
cess to education and health resources. The Urban
League has responded to this need by providing
programs in critical service areas that have the
most impact on economic stability: education, jobs,
and housing. To get engaged or for more informa-
tion, please visit www.urbanleagueupstate.org
Opportunities
Goals
• Ensure children enter school ready to learn and
graduate prepared for college and careers.
• Ensure individuals are prepared for and con-
nected to living wage jobs.
• Ensure families move from unstable housing
to financial stability through loan modification
and foreclosure prevention services.
Annual Events
• Business Meeting
• Career and Networking Fair
• Equal Opportunity Day Dinner
• Whitney M. Young, Jr. Humanitarian Awards Gala
• State of the League/Community Forum
2014-2015 Board Members
Ronald Barton
Kippie Brown
Karen Burgess
Kinneil Coltman
Delcia Corbitt
Marion Crawford
Karen F. Culbreath
Daniel Duggan
James (Jim) Evers
Henry C. Giles
Randy Harrison
Rasalynn Hester
Amy Hinson
Roshella James-Smalls
Jennifer Johnsen
Mitch Kennedy
Claude Lilly
Max Metcalf
Keith Miller
Stacey D. Mills
Calvin M. (Skip) Morris
Karolyn Mulvaney
Benjamin T. Rook
Sue Schneider
John Slipke
Christopher A. Smith
Mark Westmoreland
1
Cherokee
Greenville
Spartanburg
Union
Geographic Area Served

3. Education
We ensure children enter school
ready to learn and graduate pre-
pared for colleges and careers.
1,629
Students served
in the past year.
Employment
We ensure individuals are prepared
and connected to living wage jobs.
1,183
Clients served
through workforce
development.
Housing
We ensure families move from
unstable housing to homeown-
ership and financial stability.
82
Foreclosures
mitigated in the
past year.
Services
We ensure individuals are met
with vital needs during emer-
gency situations.
93
Families or individ-
uals who recieved
emergency food, shel-
ter, or financial help.
Our Programs
Education and Youth Services
• 21st Century Learing Center
• Project Ready
• Right Step Juvenile Diversion Program
• Urban Achievers
Housing and Supportive Services
• Housing Counseling
• Foreclosure Prevention
• Home Ownership
• Emergency Food and Shelter
• Senior Supportive Services
Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Career Link
• Job Readiness Classes
• Project Reconnect
• Youth Leadership Dvelopment Institute
44
Years of education,
employment, emer-
gency, and housing
services provided
to the Upstate area.
98%
Of seniors from
Pre-College Enroll-
ment in Greenville
received college and
employment ser-
vices in 2014-2015.
81%
Of Students whose grades improve
between terms either overall or in
specific subject areas through the
21st Century program.
235
Clients who recieved
housing services relat-
ed to mortgaging and
home ownership.
183
Clients who received
career services within
the past year.
2

4. 3

5. 4
Our Youth Services and Education department
works with children and youth ages 5 to 18 to help give
them the tools to succeed in their educational careers.
We also work with youth to help ready them for suc-
cessful careers. James Lindsey was the Director of
Education and Youth Services at the ULUS and over-
sees programs in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union
counties. Programs in this department include Project
Ready: Pre-College Enrollment Services (PCES), Ur-
ban Achievers, Right Steps Juvenile Diversion Pro-
gram and 21st
Century Afterschool Program.
Project Ready: PCES prepares middle and high
school students for college enrollment at a two- or
four-year college or university. Parents are encour-
aged to assist their children with their educational
goals as well learn the financial aid process. PCES
provides direct support and guidance in the college
admission process to all Greenville County and Spar-
tanburg County high school students. Our services
include, but not limited to, academic advising, free
SAT and ACT Prepatory workshops, college tours,
FAFSA assistance, and service learning opportuni-
ties. Shaterica Neal was the former coordinator for
Project Ready in Greenville and Crystal Irby is the co-
ordinator for Spartanburg’s Project Ready program.
Urban Achievers is a program designed to help stu-
dents achieve greater success in their school cur-
riculum, improve their self-confidence, and improve
their performance on the PASS test. We partner
with Tanglewood Middle School and Greenville Early
College to host a series of classes geared toward
character education, career goals, social skills,
responsibility, study habits, and servant leadership.
We will utilize mentors from various personal and
professional walks of life to interact with the stu-
dents on a weekly basis to discuss the aforemen-
tioned topics and career choices. Travis Reeder is
the coordinator of Urban Achievers.
Working in partnership with Union County schools,
the Urban League of the Upstate established a 21st
Century Community Learning Center at two Title I
schools in Union County – Lockhart School and Buf-
falo Elementary. This 34 week program is to enhance
student’s academic achievement through tutoring,
group learning activities focusing on science, tech-
nology, engineering, arts, mathematics and literacy.
Emphasis will also be put on science-related learn-
ing, integrating science topics into academic work
and literacy activities. Ameco Hendrix is the coor-
dinator for the 21st
Century Afterschool program in
Union County schools.
Right Steps Juvenile Diversion is a fast track juvenile
diversion program designed to prevent youth that are
in the early stages of criminal involvement from be-
coming further involved in the juvenile justice system.
Services include case management, community ser-
vice projects, and life skills workshops. Cristhian
Carvajal serves as the coordinator for Right Steps
Juvenile Diversion program.
Education
Profile
James Lindsey
Director of Education and
Youth Services
Shaterica Neal
Project Ready Coordinator
(Greenville)
Crystal Irby
Project Ready Coordinator
(Spartanburg)
Travis Reeder
Urban Achievers Coordinator
Ameco Hendrix
21st Century Coordinator
Cristhian Carvajal
Right Steps Coordinator

6. Success stories
Lourdes Escalante and her family relocated from Gua-
temala to the U.S. when she was two years old. She
didn’t believe that she would be able to attend college
because she was not a citizen and her family did not
have the finances to afford the international rates that
she would have to pay. After she attended the Pre-Col-
lege workshops for over a year her confidence and
hope for the future began to grow. As of fall 2015,
Lourdes is enrolled at Spartanburg Community Col-
lege and upon graduation she will transfer to a 4 year
institution, ultimately leading to MUSC to pursue her
dreams of entering the medical field as a Physician.
Markisha Campbell came through the Urban
League from a community outreach event one
of our Employment Counselors attended at the
Phyllis Wheatly Center. She informed the coun-
selour of her background in Medical Assistance
and how she was actively seeking employment.
Our collaboration with SC Works allowed us to
place Markisha into the 12 week paid internship
through GHS (Greenville Hospital System) as a
Physicians Clerk. Upon the completion of the 12
week program, GHS extended Markisha an op-
portunity of full time employment at MD 360.
4
Ms. Linda Pena enrolled in our housing counsel-
ing service in May 2011. Her hardship was due to
a permanent disability and subsequent divorce.
Her mortgage payment was no longer affordable,
at over 50% of her income. Our Housing Director
discussed various options and along with Ms. Pena
determined the best course of action was to apply
for the SC Help Property Disposition Program. Our
Director and Ms. Pena negotiated a Deed-in-lieu
with her lender and she was approved for the SC
Help assistance in December 2014. Alternate rent-
al location assistance was provided in addition.

7. 2014-2015 Financials
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8. 6

9. 7
HoUSING
Profile
Jeanne Vernon
Director of Housing
Steve Mims
Housing Counselor
(Spartanburg & Greenville)
Mildred Wright
Housing Counselor
(Spartanburg & Greenville)
Dorothy Lamkin
Senior Housing Property
Manager
(Gandy Allmon Manor I & II)
Misty Wright
Senior Housing Support
Service Coordinator
James Clark
Maintenance Supervisor
Our Comprehensive Housing Program pro-
vides housing counseling in the following coun-
ties: Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg, Pickens,
Oconee, Union, Cherokee, and Laurens. The pur-
pose of this program is to provide information and
advice to people who are inexperienced in hous-
ing-related issues. The Comprehensive Housing
Program provides a full range of housing coun-
seling. As a HUD-approved counseling agency, its
mission is to achieve social and economic equality
by offering: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Mortgage
Assistance, Pre-Rental Assistance, Homeless Re-
location, Fair Housing, and Energy Conservation
Information.
Pre-Purchase Counseling benefits our clients by
evaluating their mortgage readiness. Our Housing
Program helps determine the price of homes af-
fordable for the buyer, assess and improve credit
quality, and guides clients through the process of
creating a household budget.
Mortgage Assistance educates the homeowner on
the consequences of default and foreclosure, loss
mitigation, budgeting and crediting, restructuring
debit, obtaining re-certification for mortgage subsi-
dy, and establishing reinstatement plans.
Our Pre-Rental Assistance program explains the
rights and responsibilities of tenants. Help clients
through the application procedures for rent subsi-
dy. Our counselors also provide services in lease
legislation, rental procedures, grievance proce-
dures, rent relief, landlord/tenant laws, and eviction
procedures.
For our Homeless Relocation program we the
homeless to housing sources that can assist with
placement, relocation, and case management
support. Fair Housing counseling is designed to
educate consumers regarding their fair housing
rights and how to recognize and report housing
discrimination practices. Energy conservation
assists individuals, homeowners, and renters who
may need help in reducing energy waste, develop-
ing an energy conservation lifestyle or physically
improving the energy efficiency of their homes or
apartments.
Jeanne Vernon serves as Director of Housing at the
ULUS and oversees the housing counseling program
and the staff of Gandy Allmon Manor I & II, HUD sub-
sidized senior housing properties. Steve Mims and
Mildred Wright are both Housing Counselors, located
in the Spartanburg Office. Gandy Allmon Manor I &
II have a full staff that includes Dorothy Lamkin, Se-
nior Housing Property Manager, who is responsible
for the daily management of the properties, Misty
Wright, Senior Housing Support Service Coordinator,
who is responsible for providing resources to the res-
idents that aid them in continuing to live independent-
ly, and James Clark, Maintenance Supervisor, who is
responsible for the maintenance of the property.

10. 8

11. 9
WorkForce and
Employment
Profile
The Workforce and Employment Services
department is an employment program that pro-
vides job seekers employment counseling, em-
ployability assessments and assistance with job
search to become economically and financially
stable. The Workforce and Employment Ser-
vices Department entail:
Job Readiness Class: Held every Thursday, this
class equips clients on work readiness. The
class provides information on resume creation,
interviewing techniques, soft skills training,
workplace ethics/expectations, and job search
assistance. Free bus tickets are provided for
transportation to job interviews, job fairs, and
completing job applications.
SNAP Jobs Network Program: The SNAP Job
Network Program is designed to equip unem-
ployed or underemployed participants who re-
ceive SNAP benefits with behavioral soft skills
needed for successful employment procurement
and sustainability. These skills include: suc-
cessful interviewing, resume development, and
workplace behavior such as teamwork, knowing
what to expect from employers, proper work-
place etiquette, and understanding what em-
ployers expect from employees.
WorkKeys Certification Preparation: The Urban
League of the Upstate offers a variety of options
for individuals who plan to take the ACT Work-
keys Assessment. Instructions are available at
the Urban League office, online, and at commu-
nity-based satellite centers. Job seekers who
earn a WorkKeys Certification can demonstrate
work place skills in reading, applied mathemat-
ics, and locating information.
Summer Internship Program (SIP): Summer
Internship Program offered through the Urban
League of the Upstate, SIP helps college students
gain necessary employment skills and valuable
insights into their specific collegiate majors.
To be eligible for the program, students must have
successfully completed at least the first year of
college with plans to complete their degree. SIP
offers students a taste of real world experience in
their chosen career fields. Through a comprehen-
sive process of interviews and evaluations, each
student is carefully screened and paired with com-
panies throughout the Upstate area.
Urban League of the Upstate Youth Job Fair: Our
annual Youth Job Fair brings together employers
and job seekers to discuss job, internship and
volunteer opportunities for young adults ages
14-21. Prospective employers are able to con-
nect with approximately 500 individuals that at-
tend the job fair each year. Potential employees
learn about local companies and what jobs or
careers each company offers.
Whitney Harris
Employment and Workforce
Coordinator

12. Our Staff
Jil Littlejohn
Diane McNeil
Kim Arnold
Kenya Mingo
Jackie Webb
Shaterica Neal
President/CEO
VP Finance/CFO
Executive Assistant to the President
Director of Marketing and Development
Receptionist
Education Coordinator
Steve Mims
Mildred Wright
Crystal Irby
Hanna Burry
Jeanne Vernon
Whitney Harris
Housing Counselor
Hosing Counselor
Education Coordinator
AmeriCorps VISTA
Housing Director
Employment Counselor
Level Up Coordinator
Sr. Housing Property Manager
Urban Achievers Coordinator
21st Century Coordinator
Support Services Coordinator
Maintenance Supervisor
Director of Education and Youth Services
Ruby Dawkins
Dorothy Lamkin
Travis Reeder
Ameco Hendrix
Misty Wright
James Clark
James Lindsey
Thank You Sponsors and Partners
107.3 JAMZ
Advance America
Allstate Foundation
AT&T
Bi-Lo Charity
BlueCross BlueShield
BMW Manufacturing
Brown Mackie College
Caterpillar
Centene Management Group
Certus Bank
Clemson University
Columbia Urban League
Contec
County of Spartanburg
Crawford Strategy, LLC
Daisy Simpson Trust
Denny’s Inc.
Design Strategies
Duke Energy
Energy Equity Alliance
Fluor Corporation
Fluor Golf For Greenville
Fluor Foundation
Listed donors contributed $1,501+
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Gallivan White & Boyd
Gandy Allmon Manor I & II
Gannett Foundation
Greenville County
Greenville Health System
Greenville Technical College
Hollingsworth Foundation
HUD
JH M Hotel
JM Smith Foundation
Kroger Anderson Bakery
McAbee, Schwartz, Halliday & Company
Michelin
National Urban League
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash Smoak & Stewart,
P.C.
Perrigo Company
Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
SC Department of Education
SC State Housing Authority
SHARE
Sisk Foundation
SpartanburgCommunityCollege
Spartanburg Water System
Spinx Corporation
Talented Tenth
TD Bank
United Way of Greenville County
United Way of the Piedmont
USC Upstate Foundation
Verizon Foundation
Wal-Mart
Wells Fargo Foundation
Winn Dixie Stores, Inc.
World Acceptance Corporation
AmeriCorps VISTA
Right Steps Coordinator
Allie Johnson
Christhian Carvajal

13. CONNECT
@UrbanLeague864
430 East Main Street, Ste 102
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Phone: 864-562-4400
15 Regency Hill Dr.
Greenville, SC 29607
urbanleagueinfo@ulus1.org
Phone: 864-244-3862
Message from CEO and Board
Chair
​Since its founding in 1972, the Urban
League of the Upstate has been com-
mitted to empowering communities and
changing lives. Our mission is clear, “To
promote education, equip economically,
and transform generations”! This year
nearly 3,000 Upstate residents were
able to receive services from the Urban
League, which helps to transform their
community. When you transform a com-
munity, you make the entire region a safe
and vibrant place for everyone.
As a state we endured tragedy and heart-
ache with the Emmanuel Nine, yet we saw
miracles and wonders with the removal of
the confederate flag from the State House
grounds. We truly are South Carolina
Strong! The strength of our state is also
reflected in the results of our clients.
99% of our Project Ready students gradu-
ated from high school with 100% of them
attending college, enlisting in the military,
or securing employment. We gave out
more than $25,000 in scholarships and
helped over 400 students fill out FAFSA
forms and prepare for the SAT and ACT.
We helped more than 235 families stay in
their homes, 93 received emergency food
& shelter, and more than 1,183 (183 direct
services; 1,000 at Career Fair) people
received employment services. Our new
vision is a thriving community where ev-
eryone has the opportunity to live, learn,
and work. This past year we worked hard
to accomplish this vision and I know the
information in this report will give you a
glimpse of this work. Your support of the
Urban League makes this happen and we
could not do it without each of you!
Rosalynn Hester
Board Chair
Jil Littlejohn
President/CEO
To learn more about the Urban League and
our programs, please visit our website at
www.urbanleagueupstate.org.
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