Richland Two Announces Formal Partnership with Serve & Connect

Richland County, S.C. - On Thursday, June 22nd officials from Richland School District Two and Serve & Connect were honored to come together at Richland Northeast High School to announce a formal partnership between the two organizations. This partnership will work together to promote the safety and well-being of students, staff, and parents in the Woodfield and Dentsville areas. Together Richland Two and Serve & Connect will strive to create an environment where learning can flourish and where everyone feels secure, safe, and supported.

Speaking at the event Nancy Gregory, Interim Superintendent for Richland Two promoted this partnership:

“Serve & Connect’s mission resonates deeply with our own as we believe in fostering positive relationships and mutual trust among all members of our community. Together, we will implement comprehensive programs and initiatives designed to secure an environment that promotes learning and personal growth both inside our schools and in the area surrounding our schools. One of the key focus areas of this partnership will be collaboration. It is essential to emphasize that this partnership is not just about safety and security: it is about strengthening the fabric of our community.”

It was just over a year ago that thanks to the incredible support and advocacy of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church and Reverend Ellen Skidmore Serve & Connect was able to launch a COMPASS site focused on the community surrounding Richland Northeast High School. COMPASS is the Serve & Connect model for supporting the development and implementation of community-driven initiatives where police and communities work together as one team, one community, to address local challenges. The Woodfield and Dentsville communities have such rich diversity and beautiful history. After a year working within the community, we recognize that there is so much potential for this area but in order for COMPASS to bring the potential to life we must come together and break down the divides that have been created among us and build bridges of hope and trust.

Kassy Alia Ray, Founder and CEO of Serve & Connect spoke of her personal connection to the area:

“Many of you may not know that, in fact, Greg was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School. Richland Northeast JROTC program offered him a foundation to give him the opportunity to pursue his dream of serving as a police officer in the very community where he grew up. Greg believed in service to others was greater than service to self. He bravely and selflessly gave his life protecting the community that gave him so much. This is the same community that supported our family during our darkest days and it is also where I am proud to be raising my two boys. Right here.”

Serve & Connect is grateful to Richland Two for this incredible opportunity to strengthen and formalize our partnership and we look forward to working as a team to make a transformative impact for this community. Just as police cannot build safe communities alone, Richland School District Two cannot promote safe schools alone. We need more partners to join our effort to build a better tomorrow. So today, in addition to this momentous signing of the MOU Serve & Connect challenges the community at large with an ask: For those that may be reading about this and learning about it out in our community - we NEED YOU.

Together, Serve & Connect and Richland Two will collaborate to provide a brighter future for our schools to stand as a beacon of safety, excellence, and unity. With this formal partnership, we will create a community that thrives on mutual respect, security, and strong support. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this vision a reality and to formalize this partnership and may this mark the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in the history of our community.