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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY (CEE) FOR NEARLY EIGHTEEN YEARS OF TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF STUDENTS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY.
Whereas, in June 2000, CEE was established in an effort to address declining test scores and poor student outcomes in neighborhood schools, particularly those in Greenville's historic West End. Former professional boxer and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coach Shakir Robinson and his mother, Leola Robinson-Simpson, a one-time member of the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees, worked with local community leaders to acquire the resources necessary to start the CEE Saturday Success School; and
Whereas, originally housed at Greenville Technical College, the Saturday classes provided traditional educational enrichment opportunities to elementary and middle school students. It quickly produced tangible results: The grades of youngsters improved, due to their participation in tutoring and mentoring activities. Boxing wasn't initially a component of the CEE, but when the program relocated to Pendleton Street in 2007, Shakir Robinson decided to use his coaching experience to form the CEE's junior boxing club. Once the academic and boxing efforts became intertwined, things really began to take off; and
Whereas, today, served by a dedicated corps of volunteers, CEE is providing high levels of advocacy and academic assistance, as well as exposure to the arts, fitness, and discipline, for many low-income students and young adults in Greenville. The nonprofit organization has transformed lives and is building healthier bodies, strong minds, and a better quality of life; and
Whereas, having served more than a thousand students to date, CEE owns a phenomenal success rate. Outcomes include one hundred percent improvement in school attendance, school grades, and high school graduation rate; one hundred percent reduction in school referrals; a seventy-nine percent college enrollment rate; a seventy-five percent employment rate; a twenty-five percent induction rate into military service; one hundred percent parental involvement; and zero percent involvement with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; and
Whereas, in past years, CEE students have ranked first in the State and fourth in the nation in AAU basketball, as well as first in the nation in the National Youth Football League. Presently, they are winning state, regional, and national USA Boxing, Golden Gloves, and Junior Olympics boxing titles. To further assist its students in their climb to success, CEE raises funds for college scholarships, which are awarded to all CEE high school graduates. In addition, CEE provides service-learning experiences for its students, such as Palmetto Pride litter campaigns, CEE booths at the Minority Health Summit, nursing home visits, and gifts to senior citizens. CEE students also have sponsored breast cancer awareness projects and made donations to victims; and
Whereas, in America today, millions of youth are alone and unsupervised during after-school hours before parents return home from work. At this time, juvenile crime, substance abuse, teen sexual intimacy, auto accidents, and surfing on adult websites are at their peak. This unhealthy scenario, however, can be remedied when communities invest in late-afternoon programs that keep kids safe, support working families, and help young people succeed academically and in life. CEE shines as a prime example of such a program, one that has proven consistently that "kids with someplace to go end up going places." The House, grateful for CEE's stellar work with its students, takes great pleasure in celebrating this dedicated organization and in wishing its staff and volunteers much continued success in the years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Center for Educational Equity (CEE) for nearly eighteen years of transforming the lives of students in Greenville County.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Center for Educational Equity.
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