Impact Feature: Uplift Lexington County
Thank you, Jennifer Miller from Counseling Plus!
Thank you, Flavia Sotelo, Linda Peña-Resto, and Aaliyah Simon from the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center!
On April 20, 2022, at Riverside Apartments in Columbia, De’Marion Corbett was shot and killed. He was just 16 years old. Our friends and partners at the Columbia Police Department reached out to us following the incident to request help in obtaining resources for members of the community, including children, who were impacted by this tragic incident.
Thanks to the incredible support of several amazing partners, we were able to facilitate assistance in response. Working together, Macey, our Mental Health Program Manager, and Omari, our Lead Community Organizer, identified potential partners and coordinated a response intended to support community members.
Following the incident at Riverside Apartments, they worked with the manager of the apartment complex to more deeply understand the needs faced by residents. The maintenance manager, Aaron, expressed a major need for mental health resources and asked if it would be possible for someone to come speak to the children and adults about trauma and extend a helping hand. He stated that the community was struggling and he wanted to give them a space and opportunity to talk about their experiences, if they were ready.
Omari and Macey sprung into action. Omari supported residents in leading a balloon release in memory of De’Marion and Macey was able to work with partners involved in Uplift Lexington County to offer counseling and support. Uplift Lexington County is a movement dedicated to improving behavioral health through partnerships and empowerment that lead to healing and hope. Uplift Lexington County is guided by our Compass model and led by a Leadership Council involving key stakeholders, including Lexington Medical Center, Lexington County Department of Mental Health, LRADAC, Lexington County EMS, and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Since launching in 2021, Uplift Lexington County has rallied 23 partners representing diverse stakeholder groups, including mental health service providers, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare and more.
Even though this incident did not happen in Lexington County, a community was hurting and needed support. Macey made a series of phone calls to trusted Uplift partners. Flavia Sotelo, Linda Peña-Resto, and Aaliyah Simon from the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center whose mission is to assist children and families who have experienced trauma were contacted. Jennifer Miller, from Counseling Plus who specializes in trauma and PTSD, along with her partner and co-counsel, Sarge, were contacted. Sarge is a PAALS facility support animal, he is trained in assisting in the emotional support and comfort of those in need. Additionally, Officer Dee Cochran, from the Lexington Police Department rushed in to show her support when she heard we would be there. They all did not hesitate to be there for Riverside Apartments and responded immediately, asking when and where they were needed.
Thank you, PFC Dee Cochran with Lexington Police Department!
Their dedication to helping children and adults in crisis shows true to their dedication to create change in the world around them. Their response was done on a volunteer basis. They were not paid for being there to help this community; they simply did it to help. On April 22, these incredible individuals spoke with the children and adults from 4pm-6pm and stayed through the memorial service to show support.
Working with partners, Macey was also able to compile a list of mental health resources for children and adults specific to trauma located in Columbia. She spoke with each resource directly to be sure they were currently taking clients and had accepted a variety of insurances. This resource list was given to the manager to distribute to the community as a way to provide them with extra support even after Uplift partners had left.
Following the tragic event, Lexington Police Officer Dee Cochran had asked and received donations for the community. The donations included hygiene products, womens products, clothes, books, school supplies and more. Macey and Dee brought this donation to the community on April 27. There was a line out the door for individuals who needed the extra support and items.
Uplift Lexington County awarded these amazing individuals who assisted in the response to Riverside Apartments with a certificate of gratitude. Macey presented these certificates at their organizations on behalf of Uplift Lexington County to show our appreciation. Macey states, “We are so thankful for the partnerships that have been built since the launch of Uplift Lexington County. The minute I called they were there, no questions asked. Addressing and receiving help for mental health issues doesn’t only start when they are already suffering but it starts at the immediate time of exposure and our team showed up”.
All organizations have agreed to go back to Riverside Apartments to show their continued support. This will happen the first week in June. Consistency is key, we need to show the community that we are there even after the initial need ends.