Mission Moment: Orangeburg County First Steps

Every child deserves a strong start. That’s the belief at the heart of Orangeburg County First Steps, the local nonprofit chosen as this month’s Challenge Grant Mission Moment. Awarded $50,000 in the Family Leadership category, the organization launched the Together WE Can: Family Leadership Initiative.

This initiative is already making an impact for families in rural and under-resourced communities across Orangeburg County. Its goal is simple yet powerful: to strengthen parental involvement in children’s academic and developmental journeys. By equipping families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to be active participants in their child’s learning, the program is helping parents embrace their roles as teachers, decision makers, and leaders.

Through youth development activities and family-centered events, parents and caregivers are gaining tools to support their role as teachers, decision makers, and leaders in their children’s lives. One area of focus has been helping families build knowledge and confidence around lactation and breastfeeding.

To measure the program’s impact, families completed pre- and post-surveys. The results were encouraging:

• Before the program: only 37% of parents felt very to moderately informed about lactation and breastfeeding.
• After participating: that number jumped to 79%.

Parents also shared that they feel more confident in their ability to breastfeed, provide breastmilk, and extend breastfeeding for a longer period.

These results highlight the positive change happening in Orangeburg County. By equipping families with knowledge and support, the Together WE Can initiative is helping to create long-term benefits for both children and parents—and that’s something to celebrate! Parents as Teachers National Center applauds your commitment to the children and families in your community.