A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE S.A.F.E. ORGANIZATION IN ORANGEBURG WHOSE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO YOUTH IN ORANGEBURG AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES WITH RESOURCES AND TOOLS TO EQUIP AND ENABLE EACH YOUTH TO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

Whereas, founded by Shanika Aiken on March 23, 2014, S.A.F.E. is a nonprofit organization that promotes self-esteem, advocacy, faith, and education by providing mentorship and educational services to youth, specifically girls ages 11 to 17; and

Whereas, Ms. Aiken's dream of starting an organization that would assist and guide youth became a reality when the S.A.F.E. Organization was founded. In 2015, a Youth Advisory Board was created to give youth the opportunity to utilize their leadership abilities to serve their community; and

Whereas, S.A.F.E. offers various seminars and campaigns throughout the year like the Mental Health Awareness Forum, as well as an annual Girl Empowerment Day and an annual gala; and

Whereas, in 2014, S.A.F.E. held a Teen Dating Violence Seminar and a No Texting and Driving Campaign. A Love Is Respect Day, Preparing for Prom, and a Youth Speak Forum were added in 2015.

In 2016, Let's Talk, which is a formal conversation with parents about love, sex, and relationships, was held. The 2017 events included Teen Pregnancy and Prevention Brunch and the Youth Advisory Board Retreat; and

Whereas, in 2018, the Girls Circle was formulated, a structured support group for girls from nine to eighteen years that integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase positive connection, personal and collective strengths, and competence in girls. In 2019, S.A.F.E. held an Anti-Bullying Rally and Walk and a Girl Empowerment 3-Day Camp; and

Whereas, S.A.F.E. provides scholarships to two graduating high school females, a Community Back Day Food and Clothes Giveaway, care packages to residents of a local nursing home, school supplies and clothing to children in need, Thanksgiving baskets to families in need, and Christmas gifts to children in need; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values organizations like S.A.F.E. that provide role models for our youth and seek to offer significant guidance to help our youth navigate the complexities of the world in which they live, and the members wish S.A.F.E. many more years of successful impact on the lives of young people in the Palmetto State. 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 S.A.F.E. Organization in Orangeburg whose goal is to provide mentorship and educational services to youth in Orangeburg and surrounding counties with resources and tools to equip and enable each youth to lead a productive life.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Shanika Aiken.

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