On May 7, 2004 ten citizens from the Newtown community of Lancaster SC met with pastor AnThony E. Pelham of Faith, Hope & Victory Christian Church for a Community Leader Rap Session to discuss his concerns about the large number of African-American males who were hanging out on the street corners participating in unproductive behaviors.
Our history
The Community Powerhouse History
May 7, 2004
The following citizens from the Newtown Community met for a Community Leader Rap Session to discuss their concerns about African-American males who were hanging on the street corners & who had not completed their high school education.
Aaron Massey . Mattie Massey . Bishop J. Harris
Walter M. Tillman . Julia Truesdale . James Davis
Dorothy Davis . Beaulah M. Shelley . Elizabeth Boyd
Henrietta Talford . Tyrome Faulkner . Rev. AnThony Pelham
From that meeting, Rev. AnThony Pelham along with the assistance of James Thompson used the information from this meeting to enhance Rev. Pelham’s vision for a program targeting African American males that would “Spark Hope. Ignite Optimism and Create the Currents for a Brighter Future” for these at-risk young men.
October 1, 2004
A grant for the project was written and submitted to the J. Marion Sims Foundation. The foundation, Under the leadership and guidance of President Jim Morton and Program Officer Dr. Mary Henderson, believed in the vision and awarded Faith, Hope & Victory Christian Church a three (3) year grant in the amount of $287,297 to ‘power up’ the Community Powerhouse Family Literacy Project.
November 22, 2004
The company powered up its first Intervention franchise and boardroom located at 202 South Gregory Street in Lancaster, SC. The program has been shocking the world ever since!
November 7, 2008
The company powered up its second Intervention franchise located in Chester, South Carolina through a grant from YouthNet (SC Department of Mental Health) and a collaborative partnership with the Chester County Alternative Education program.
January 13, 2015
Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Joe Keenan, and High School 101 instructor Ricardo Priester the Community Powerhouse established its third and first Prevention franchise at Lancaster High School, 617 Normandy Road in Lancaster SC. The Corporate Boardroom was established in room 216. The franchise would initially serve (30) Power-Brokers.
January 19, 2021
The company powered up another Prevention franchise at A. R. Rucker Middle School. The program was funded through a three-year grant written by Dr. Paul McKenzie in the amount of $ 493,771 from the Department of Justice Programs and OJJDP (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention). The franchise would initially serve (60) Power-Brokers.
August 21, 2023
The company powered up another Prevention franchise at South Middle School. The program under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Phipps and South Middle School Principal Brent Chavous, was funded by the Lancaster County School District. The Corporate Boardroom was established in room 137. The franchise would initially serve (52) Power-Brokers.
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