Walmart Foundation donates $60,000 to Chesterfield County First Steps

The Walmart Foundation’s South Carolina State Giving Program made a $60,000 contribution to Chesterfield County First Steps, a nonprofit organization that focuses on early care and education, family strengthening, and the health and safety of young children up to age 5 in Chesterfield County. The grant will support the expansion of the evidenced based Incredible Years Parenting program in the county. 

Chesterfield County First Steps is the first in this area of the state to receive a grant by Walmart State Giving program. The grant will allow First Steps to train and employ a cadre of group leaders to expand the evidence-based parenting program, the Incredible Years and support 60 additional families in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. 

According to Chesterfield County First Steps, the timing of the announcement couldn't have been better.

The economic downturn has forced the organization to cut programs for children and families.

“Many families are seeking guidance on how to help their children succeed in school, and we have been unable to help them,” First Steps Executive Director Karen Odom said.

The good news is the Walmart Foundation has stepped forward to help us reach parents so their children will be prepared for their educational careers.

Walmart Distribution Center manager Phil Ingram presented the grant to Chesterfield County First Steps and Incredible Years program participants on Nov. 17 during a celebratory program at Pageland Community Center. 

“Businesses have a clear economic stake in the future of our children and should be an active partner in promoting programs and policies that help young children succeed. We're pleased that Walmart has this opportunity to give to this program,” Ingram said.

The celebration drew more than 50 community members and clients served by First Steps.

“Science on early brain development tells us that if we want to produce success in school and life, our children need us to provide a balanced approach to emotional, social, cognitive, and language development and this is what the Incredible Years program provides,” Odom said. “If we are going to prosper then we must invest as Walmart has in evidenced based early childhood interventions like the Incredible Years program.”

The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the United States. To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application.

Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
Info: www.walmartfoundation.org, www.chesterfieldfirststeps.org or www.facebook.com/pages/Chesterfield-County-First-Steps.