The YouthQuest Foundation is part of a unique collaboration that uses golf to benefit young people in the Aiken, South Carolina area.
The Foundation has contributed $5,000 to help build a nine-hole golf practice facility on the University of South Carolina Aiken Campus. It will be the permanent home for The First Tee of Aiken, a nonprofit organization that promotes youth development by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and encourage healthy choices through the game of golf. First Tee puts special emphasis on reaching at-risk youth, low- to moderate-income youth, minorities, girls, students with disabilities and others who might not otherwise be exposed to golf and the life lessons it teaches.
The USC Aiken men’s golf team will also use the practice course.
YouthQuest Co-Founder and President Lynda Mann presented a check to The First Tee of Aiken Chairman of the Board Tony Allman and USC Aiken Vice Chancellor for Advancement Mary Driscoll on August 22.
YouthQuest also serves at-risk youth in the Palmetto State through a partnership with the South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy in Eastover, where high school dropouts get a second chance to fulfill their potential through academic and vocational training. Students selected for YouthQuest’s 3D ThinkLink training at SCYCA develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, explore their creativity and improve their confidence as they learn the basics of 3D design and printing. After completing the 22-week residential program at SCYCA, many of the 3D ThinkLink students go on to Aiken Technical College for an additional 20 weeks of education in their chosen career fields.