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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CAROLYN G. BROOKS, SPARTANBURG COUNTY FIRST STEPS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER DECADES OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO FAMILIES AND EDUCATION, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Carolyn G. Brooks will begin a well-deserved retirement after years as a premier educator and public servant, the last eighteen of which have been as the distinguished and highly-regarded Executive Director of First Steps in Spartanburg County; and
Whereas, from 1966 to 1968, she attended Spartanburg Methodist College and earned a bachelor's degree from Limestone College in sociology with a minor in psychology in 1970, as well as a bachelor's degree in education. She completed thirty graduate hours toward a master's degree at the University of South Carolina Upstate from 1971 to 1973; and
Whereas, a resident of Wellford, Ms. Brooks began her professional career in teaching in 1970 as a special education teacher in Spartanburg School District Five and spent the next four school years as a teacher in Spartanburg School District Six; and
Whereas, a woman of many talents, she owned and operated a catering service called The Cookie Jar from 1982 to 1986; and
Whereas, Ms. Brooks served from 1985 to 1998 as the director of District Five Family Ministries, headquartered at Middle Tyger Community Center, a collaboration among area churches, District Five Schools, YMCA, Department of Social Services, and Department of Health and Environmental Control that addresses needs of families in the community by providing case management, crisis intervention, and financial education and offers a food pantry and emergency utility assistance. She still serves as chair of the board for Middle Tyger Community Center; and
Whereas, as a parent educator for Spartanburg School District Five from 1994 to 2000, Ms. Brooks was responsible for making home visits to assist with crisis interventions and for planning and teaching workshops on child development, behavior, communication, discipline, and self-esteem; and
Whereas, since 2000, she has coordinated the Spartanburg County First Steps and has been responsible for preparing an application for over two million dollars to strengthen and enhance school readiness in the county, organizing collaborative meetings to enhance school readiness, maintaining the First Steps office in Spartanburg County, serving as a legislative liaison, and managing the program budget; and
Whereas, devoted to her community, Ms. Brooks served on the Wellford City Council from 1994 to 2002 and on the South Carolina Governor's Transition Committee for education in 2002; and
Whereas, a guardian ad litem, she has served as chair of the board for Mountainview Nursing Home and Bethlehem Community Center, on the board of St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic and Spartanburg's Success by Six, and on the board of directors for Healthy Spartanburg. She currently serves on the board of the Children's Advocacy Center and on the Spartanburg County First Steps Committee; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina appreciates the years of dedication that Carolyn Brooks has devoted to creating a culture of success for families and for the youth of the Palmetto State, and the members wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-earned retirement. 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 Carolyn G. Brooks, Spartanburg County First Steps Executive Director, upon the occasion of her retirement after decades of outstanding service to families and education, and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Carolyn G. Brooks.
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