I am so impressed with the Community Powerhouse program at Lancaster High School. I have personally seen the difference this program makes with our students. My students that have been through the program have made major improvements. For example, Ted (not real name) is one of my students that came to me in 9th grade with a terrible attitude about school. He was disrespectful to his classmates and teachers. He was a constant disruption in class, and he was difficult to reason with. He would not complete assignments, and he did not have any friends. After he became a power broker, his whole attitude changed, and he began to show respect to his teachers and his peers. He is now eager to complete his assignments, and he makes good grades. He also has a girlfriend. I am so very proud of him! All of my students that have been through this program have shown improvement in motivation, communication, and social skills. There are learning and retaining important life skills needed for their future. This wonderful program is definitely making a huge difference in our school and community.
The Powerhouse program has been an integral part of LHS mission to meet the needs of all our students. Through a creative curriculum, Dr. Pelham and Dr. Wright seek to inspire and challenge young men to look deeper at their lives and choices they make. The heart of the program is the boardroom, where young men interact with each other as power brokers. We have seen positive changes in the young men who have embrace the program. It is our intent to continue to offer the class to select students as a bridge to being graduates of LHS and productive citizens.
“The Community Powerhouse is a dynamic, life changing, encouraging, mentorship and brotherhood class taught with tough LOVE and fun. What I have seen from some of the students that come out of the Community Powerhouse are: An increased self-esteem and self-image, They talk and walk with confidence, They now make eye contact when speaking with others, They think about the consequences of a bad thought, They make better grades.
The tools taught in the Community Powerhouse will impact their future, develop better sons, husbands, fathers, and most of all leaders in our communities.
Thank You, Community Powerhouse for grooming our young men at LHS.”
“The Powerhouse in my professional opinion has been a tremendous asset to Lancaster High School. Not only has the program excelled in building character in students, it has given students an opportunity to find immediate success both academically and socially. Many high school students have problems with finding an equal balance academically and socially, however the Powerhouse has given a vast majority the confidence needed to overcome personal obstacles. The curriculum is just as competitive as any other mandated program in the country and the instructors provide a consistent dialogue to engage the students to perform at a high level. As a coach, the Powerhouse has been a huge support to our basketball program. Serving as mentors, role models, giving words of encouragement as well as serving meals for pregame has been a true blessing. I look forward to the continued partnership in the future. On a personal note, the Powerhouse has proven to be one of the most stable programs at LHS.”
“The Community Powerhouse has been a vital resource for the community and particularly the SC
Department of Juvenile Justice, Lancaster County Office. They open up their doors daily to a population of youth that would otherwise fall through the cracks of the system. I have observed many juveniles improve their decision-making skills and lifestyle as a result of the intense services, training, monitoring and supervision the program provides. The need for this program is critical to the community. Without this program many of the youth will be incarcerated at a greater cost to society.”
“The Lancaster County Office for the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services has served as a collaborative partner with the Community Powerhouse for more than seven years. The Community Powerhouse has partnered with our Agency to offer alternatives to incarceration for young offenders within Lancaster County. As a community resource for our Agency, the Community Powerhouse works with young men to help them overcome issues in their lives that serve as obstacles to their development and growth towards becoming productive members of society. Young men are encouraged and assisted with educational goals to receive a high school diploma, certificate, GED or higher education. The men practice computer skills, grooming and hygiene skills, life skills, job interviewing skills and employment responsibility skills. We have and will continue to offer supportive services and serve as a referral source for young adult offenders.”
A letter from a parent:
To Rev. AnThony Pelham and everyone involved with Powerhouse. My husband and I would like to thank you for giving our son Ja’Kel the opportunity to be a part of this great program. It has given him a drive to be whatever he desires to become. We are very grateful that you thought enough of our son to let him be a part of this great program. He has grown so much because of this program. Again, we are very humbled that you see in our son what we see and that’s greatness.