Success Stories

Jordan began working with Eckerd Connects in February of 2024, after finishing only the 8th grade. With a determined mindset, he enrolled in the Lifelong Learning Centers (LLC) GED Program and completed the requirements in 3 months. Jordan received program services in the form of Tuition Assistance, a Work Experience opportunity, Transportation Vouchers, Mentoring and Career Assessments.

In August of 2025, Jordan received his initial accreditation in welding. The Greenville Youth WIOA Program then extended his program activities so that he could receive advanced welding training and in December 2025, Jordan received his Advanced Pipe Welding  certification. On Monday, January 12^th, Jordan was formally indentured as an apprentice welder.  Jordan continues to work with his WIOA case manager to remove one final barrier; receiving his SC Driver’s License.  Jordan’s desire to succeed, supported by the excellent partnership of Greenville WIOA Youth Program, Lifelong Learning Centers, and Greenville Technical College has aided in transforming his life!

When Adelynn first came to Eckerd Connects, she had completed school only through the 9th grade. Although challenges in both her learning environment and personal circumstances led her to leave traditional high school, Adelynn’s determination to continue her education never wavered. Seeking a meaningful second chance, she enrolled with the Eckerd Connects and the Greenville Literacy Association on September 16, 2024, where she received individualized tutoring, mentoring and structured support to pursue her GED.

Throughout her time in the program, Adelynn demonstrated outstanding commitment and perseverance. For more than a year, she balanced personal responsibilities while steadily progressing through her coursework, consistently engaging in her studies and showing a strong desire to improve her future. Her dedication culminated in a significant milestone: on October 27, 2025, Adelynn successfully earned her GED.

Her achievement opened the door to new opportunities. Shortly after completing her credential, Adelynn secured employment with GE as an Assembler, earning $26 per hour. This position not only provides financial stability but also represents an important step forward in her long‑term career path.

Connor joined our WIOA Youth program in April 2023, briefly left in September, but returned in 2024 determined to complete his GED. By September 2024, he proudly earned his diploma.

Now working full-time at United Rentals, Connor is also pursuing his dream of an engineering degree at a local college. His story is a powerful example of resilience and support leading to success.

Omarien enrolled in the Greenville Youth WIOA Program at the beginning of 2025 program year.  Omarien is justice involved and was increasingly disillusioned with his prospects of employment. 

After meeting with Omarien, assessing his situation and gaining a complete understanding of his circumstances, he was enrolled in the GYP. 

With the guidance of GYP staff, Omarien completed his CDL training class in record time.  He is now preparing to take his final CDL certification test while exploring opportunities in the Logistic and Warehousing Career Path.

Tahmena and Marwa both received their High School Diplomas from Greenville County Schools in May of 2025.

The sisters enrolled in our program in 2023 and 2024 after their family relocated to Greenville from Afghanistan where their father was an interpreter for the US Army during the war in Afghanistan.

Both sisters were seemingly ineffective in school suffering from barriers due to language and culture until they began to be mentored by the current program staff.  This mentoring and the relationship forged with the staff of Greenville Youth Program allowed the sisters to thrive. 

Kylana received her GED from Lifelong Learning in December 2024. She enrolled in our program in August 2024. She began studying Nursing at ECPI University in Greenville, while being employed, and refuses to let anything be a barrier to her success.

Kylana is pursuing a career which she is passionate about because of her strong desire to succeed and the support of the Greenville Youth Program.

When Dakota entered the WIOA Youth Program, he carried challenges that began long before he ever considered entering the workforce. His childhood educational experience was marked by significant barriers that left him without a traditional high school diploma and with gaps in both academic preparation and confidence. Despite those circumstances, he entered the program determined to change the direction of his life.

Through the WIOA Youth Program, his Career Coach worked with him to identify his strengths, educational needs, employment goals, and the barriers that had prevented him from progressing. Using the principles of WIOA’s 14 Youth Program Elements, an Individual Service Strategy was developed that connected education, career development, mentoring, supportive services, and life-skills development into one coordinated plan.

One of his first goals was earning a recognized secondary credential. Through tutoring, study-skills assistance, dropout-recovery support, and preparation for a high school equivalency credential, he received the academic guidance and encouragement needed to address educational gaps created by his previous homeschooling experience. Dakota committed himself fully to the process. His commitment produced exceptional results: he successfully earned his GED in record time.

The program then helped him address another significant barrier to employment—transportation and personal mobility. Without a driver’s license, his ability to pursue employment, training, and other opportunities was severely limited. Through career coaching, supportive services, mentoring, and assistance with navigating the licensing process, he worked toward becoming a licensed driver. He successfully completed the necessary requirements and obtained his driver’s license, providing him with greater independence and significantly expanding the geographic area in which he could pursue employment and training.

Building upon these successes, Dakota is now enrolled in the Phlebotomy Training Program with Greenville Technical College taking another major step toward long-term sufficiency.