Leadership Greenville Class 48 selected as one of its projects an expansion of the Youth Resource Center (YRC) at Pendleton Place. The project required significant upgrades to an existing garage space, including installation of new HVAC, insulation, electrical, new entrance and façade, handicap accessibility, and flooring. The renovation and expansion of the YRC facility by converting the existing detached garage to supplementary, usable space will allow Pendleton Place to continue to meet the needs of its clients by functioning as a game room and gathering space for homeless youth, and serve as private, safe, and comfortable space for peer support groups administered by all divisions of Pendleton Place.

The date of the ribbon cutting coincides with the 3 year anniversary of the founding of YRC which was opened in 2019 after a 2018 community needs assessment determined youth homelessness services was a pressing issue in Greenville. Pendleton Place is the only organization in the Upstate that specifically focuses on ending youth homelessness and preventing chronic homelessness. National data shows that 50% of chronically homeless adults experienced homelessness as transition-aged youth.

Pendleton Place and the YRC in particular offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where young adults can have their immediate physical needs met and access support for important mental health needs. The YRC at Pendleton Place provides:

• Drop-in Hours (with access to food – supported by Loaves and Fishes and Harvest Hope Food Bank, showers, and clothing resources)
• Independent Living Services
• Short-term Case Management
• Housing Assistance
• Mentoring
• Street Outreach

Dee’s Place was named by lead supporter Dr. Karen S. Fountain of Greenville in memory and in honor of her aunt Dee who truly had a heart for those who had no home – whether physically or emotionally. Other key supporters include The Hughes Agency, Buncombe Street UMC, Karen & Carl Sobocinski, Michelle Seaver, Dr. Manisha Patel, Bill Connor, Self Help Credit Union, Megha & Sumir Lal through the Greenwood Community Foundation, Devita & Associates, Edmund & Karen Ramseur, Fluor, County Bank, The Estate of William & Norma J. Hise, Charlene Mcloughlin, Greenville Federal Credit Union, Krish Patel, KW Beverage Foundation, Reynolds Investment Management, Spinks Family Foundation, Dovetail Construction, LLC, and PMC Commercial Interiors. Thanks to all supporters, the project was fully funded – the LG 48 team raised $110,769 (including $36,127 in in-kind donations) and the team was able to present Pendleton Place with a check for over $35,000 for YRC programmatic expenses.

The Leadership Greenville 48 team members on this project were: Tori Wallace-Babcock, Matt Bello, Kayleigh Sullivan Cleek, Keonte Jenkins-Davis, Julie Eddy, Regina Ervin, Jade Fountain, Grace Hartley, Marchie Hepner, Lynn Mann, Smyth McKissick IV, Michael Minelli, Chris Nordmeyer, Dr. Manisha Patel, Kerri Smith, Elias Valentin II, Keith Williams, and Will Young.