The third annual Friends and Founders luncheon served as an opportunity for Children’s Trust to salute its legacy organizations’ boards of directors and donors and allow them to connect with current board members and donors. Neil White, who tells the stories of Children’s Trust, covered the event.
Children’s Trust of South Carolina CEO Sue Williams looked out across a room filled with people whose commitment and dedication over the years have made the organization a leading advocate for the prevention of child abuse, neglect and injury.
She then began to tell the next chapter of the Children’s Trust story at the third annual Friends and Founders luncheon, where the 51 attendees included current and former board members as well as donors. They received an update on the organization’s recent accomplishments as well as the initiatives and priorities for 2016 while dining in the new offices on Lady Street.
Attendees at the Friends and Founders luncheon gather in the Children’s Trust lobby.
Williams helped oversee the merger of Children’s Trust Fund of South Carolina, Voices for South Carolina’s Children, and Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina when the three organizations officially came together in 2008 for the collaborative good of the state. Safe Kids South Carolina joined in 2010.
The luncheon provided a chance to acknowledge those former board members who put in so much sweat equity, the volunteers who care so much about the mission, and the financial supporters who are willing to invest in the work of keeping children protected and safe.
“We want them to stay connected,” Williams said after the luncheon. “We want to make sure we thank them. We stand on their shoulders. It’s important to acknowledge from where we came. And it’s important to thank our newest donors for their support now and hope they’ll be friends going forward.”
Legacy board member and past chair Justin Strickland, the president of Southern First Bank, remains proud of the organization and calls the recent growth and increased grant funding a reflection of the outstanding work being done and the impact being made on the lives of children across the state.
As the father of two young men, he understands the significance of protecting children as they are growing up.
“It is hard for me to think of an organization that would have a more important mission than the Children’s Trust,” Strickland said. “I cannot get my mind wrapped around how or why someone would or could abuse a child. But, as we all know, child abuse is much more abundant than anyone would imagine or want to admit. The effort of the Children’s Trust is one of a long-term effect on change, not a quick fix, by providing education and resources to reduce the number of child abuse cases in the state of South Carolina.”
Justin Strickland and Lynn Cleckler catch up at the Friends and Founders luncheon.
During the event, Williams spoke about the successful Strengthening Families Program, which is in the process of expanding from 14 counties to 39 thanks to a partnership with The Duke Endowment and Department of Social Services. She highlighted the startup of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative and how the research around ACEs can lead to prevention measures that will lessen poor health and social outcomes later in life.
Stephanie Jones, who supervises corporate philanthropy and community affairs for SCE&G, stated her company is thankful for the work being done and more than happy to support the mission.
“SCE&G is committed to improving the lives and the communities that we serve across South Carolina,” Jones said. “We certainly feel that Children’s Trust plays a big part in that with their efforts to strengthen families, prevent child abuse and keep kids safe. That’s a really vital role in helping improve our communities and the people who live there each and every day.”
As a way of recognizing that work — as well as the people who helped move the organization into its current role as a convener of state agencies, local organizations, businesses, civic leaders, schools and the faith community across South Carolina to implement programs and policies that positively impact child welfare – Children’s Trust renamed its two conference rooms.
One is now the Legacy Room, which recognizes the accomplishments of the late James S. Cleckler, who served as the board chair from 2003-09 and helped guide the merge of the legacy organizations. Williams said Cleckler, who passed away in 2014, wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions and push the organization to fulfill its core mission.
“Jim had this vision that we needed to be doing more for kids,” Williams said. “He was very steady, very measured. He said one thing, ‘We need to do what’s right for kids.’ He always kept that in the forefront of what we were trying to do.”
Lynn Cleckler, his wife of 44 years, attended the event and was moved by the honor. She noted her husband had wonderful parents and siblings growing up in West Columbia before playing football at USC and embarking on an impressive career in the insurance industry.
“He would often say, ‘I’ve had such a great life,’” Lynn Cleckler said. “That was his passion. He felt like every child is supposed to have a great life.”
She was thrilled his dedication to children’s lives continues within Children’s Trust and its friends and founders.
“I knew a lot of people liked Jim, but I never knew so many people loved him,” she said. “I not only had a loss, but so many other people had a loss. I am so proud of him. It really wasn’t until after his passing that we learned we wouldn’t be here without him.”
Former and current board members being recognized during Sue Williams’ presentation.
Additionally, the second conference room was named the Leadership Room in honor of Williams and all the partners Children’s Trust has shared along the way.
One of its newest partners is Molina Healthcare of South Carolina, whose mission is to provide quality health services to financially vulnerable families and individuals covered by government programs like Medicaid.
Tom Lindquist, the president of Molina Healthcare, said his company serves over 100,000 people, many of them children. Molina recently pledged to match up to $15,000 worth of donations in Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
“Children’s Trust is such a great organization focusing on prevention of child abuse. With its mission of reducing the preventable issues, it aligns perfectly with Molina Healthcare,” Lindquist said. “Our focus is on improving quality and improving health outcomes. To support an organization that is working with the same population we are with the same passion is an absolute joy.”
