Our History
Lowcountry Youth Services, originally Connections and You, Inc., was founded in October 2008 by Ricardo Perry in Hanahan. The aim was to create the Bennie Warren home for boys, but challenges led to the creation of the Distinguished Gentlemen's Club (DGC) instead. DGC began in 2010 with 12 boys and quickly grew, expanding into multiple chapters by 2013. By 2017, DGC became a nonprofit, merging its branches into one. Since its start, DGC has mentored over 350 boys.
The Journey
2008
Founded as Connections and You, Inc. by Ricardo Perry in Hanahan, SC, with a vision to establish the Bennie Warren home for boys.
2010
Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club (DGC) launched, starting with 12 boys at the Danny Jones gym in North Charleston.
2013
DGC expanded into two chapters—Hanahan and North Charleston—due to rapid growth.
2016
DGC Summerville chapter established.
2017
DGC merged into one program and became a nonprofit organization, mentoring over 350 boys.
2019
Name changed to Lowcountry Youth Services to support expanded programs, including girls and in-school initiatives.
2020
Young Men Rise In-School Youth cohort launched at Oakbrook Middle School, growing to serve 480 young men across eight schools by 2023.
2021
"Queens Being" mentoring program introduced for young women of color.
2022
Girls on the Rise In-School Youth cohort launched, supporting five schools in the tri-county area.
5 Important Reasons Why We Are Passionate About Mentorship
MENTORSHIP IMPACTS YOUTH IN SCHOOL
Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.
(Public/Private Ventures Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters)
MENTORSHIP REDUCES DRUG/ALCOHOL ABUSE
Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking. (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters)
MENTORING PROMOTES POSITIVE SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND RELATIONSHIPS
Mentored youth tend to trust their parents more and communicate better with them. (The Role of Risk, 2013)
MENTORSHIP HELPS TO PREVENT DEPRESSION IN YOUTH
Studies show that the strongest benefit from mentoring, and most consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive symptoms — particularly noteworthy given that almost one in four youth reported worrisome levels of these symptoms at baseline. (The Role of Risk, 2013)
MENTORSHIP INCREASES COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. (The Mentoring Effect, 2014)
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From 2008 - 2023,
We have served over 1200 youths, dedicating over 6000 mentor-mentee engagement hours!
OUR LEADERSHIP
Jerome Colden
Program Director
Distinguished Gentlemen's Club
Monica Scott
Program Director
Queens' Being
Ilona King-Wilson
Program Director/Training Coordinator
Girls on the Rise
Charvis Wood
Elementary School
Grade Level Coordinator
Distinguished Gentlemen's Club
Raphael James
Middle School
Grade Level Coordinator
Distinguished Gentlemen's Club
Richard Gibson
High School
Grade Level Coordinator
Distinguished Gentlemen's Club
Tenesia Slempa
Grade Level Coordinator
Queens' Being
Vanisa Siler
Grade Level Coordinator
Queens' Being
LYS Board of Directors
Danielle Hardee
Chairwoman
Candace McDaniel
Trustee
Jamie Bierdz
Treasurer
Clinton McPherson
Trustee
Jennifer Swanton
Secretary
Ben Pogue
Trustee
Radia Baxter
Trustee
Shayla Toliver
Trustee