(R to L) David Mehrib, President Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce; Jack Lucas, Partnership for Tomorrow Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Committee and Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker at County Bank; Sam Floyd, Partnership for Tomorrow Board of Advisors Emeritus; and Reno Deaton, Executive Director of Greer Development Corporation.
Greer, South Carolina – The Partnership for Tomorrow selected Yvonne McMains-Thompson as the recipient of the first-ever Leadership Greer Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship. After serving in the United States Navy, receiving two degrees, and serving two terms in AmeriCorps, Yvonne is the Neighbor Advocate at Greer Relief and Resources Agency, a not-for-profit resources agency serving Greer and the Greater Greer Area. Greer Relief exists to transform neighbors in need to neighbors who thrive, by providing services to eliminate poverty and help neighbors overcome barriers for success.
“I carry a lot of responsibility for my community,” Yvonne said. “Being at Greer Relief, the feelings and thoughts are reinforced every day working with our neighbors that we can be the right resource at the right time for a neighbor whose whole world can change with the smallest bit of help and kindness.”
Yvonne has lent her time and talents to the Greenville Literacy Association, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), Uplift Outreach Center in Spartanburg, and United Way of the Piedmont. Now as a member of the 2021-2022 Leadership Greer Class, Yvonne will sharpen her leadership skills and participate in a year-long professional development program implemented by the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.
“My hope is that this experience will give me a whole new set of tools, help me learn more about the community I serve, and gain a deeper respect and understanding of the Greer community” Yvonne said. “It will allow me to be a better leader for Greer Relief, build new partnerships in the Greer community, and better serve my neighbors. I am constantly looking for new ways to empower and educate.”
The Partnership for Tomorrow created the Leadership Greer Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship to help the Greer community to continue to identify future leaders who reflect the diversity of the Greer community and the inclusiveness that makes Greer great. For 23 years, Greer’s Partnership for Tomorrow has worked collaboratively with the public and private sectors in Greer to bring great ideas to life. The Partnership for Tomorrow Leadership Greer Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship pays the full tuition for one candidate to participate in the Leadership Greer program for 2021-2022.
The Partnership for Tomorrow selected Yvonne from a pool of qualified candidates based on three factors:
· The applicant’s background, achievements, and accomplishments
· The applicant’s demonstrated commitment to provide leadership and community service for the Greer community
· The applicant’s commitment to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the Greer community
“The diversity and inclusiveness of the Greer community has made us one of the best places to live, work, build community, and raise a family,” said Jack Lucas, member of the Partnership for Tomorrow Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Committee. “I’m very proud that the Partnership for Tomorrow is acting decisively and intentionally to make sure that we continue to identify diverse leadership, to celebrate Greer’s inclusivity, and to provide opportunities for the best and brightest to shape the future of Greer.”
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The Partnership for Tomorrow is a program managed by the Greer Development Corporation. For more information on the Partnership for Tomorrow Leadership Greer Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship, the Partnership for Tomorrow, and its contributors, please call (864) 416-0125.
The Greer Development Corporation’s (GDC) mission is to be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth to secure Greer’s future. GDC works to increase the wealth-creating opportunities in the community, while preserving the high quality of life in one of South Carolina’s fastest growing communities.
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