The CRO was founded in 2007 by Cliffs residents. Through the direction provided by our Advisory Council, Falls residents actively make a difference in the lives of the children in nearby schools who have the greatest economic and emotional need through literacy, technology, nutrition, and mentoring programs.
Over 100 Keowee Falls CRO volunteers have been involved with TSE since 2013 active with reading, mentoring and tutoring programs. Keowee Falls CRO has consistently provided support for programs like “literacy Footprints”, a curriculum that targets specific students and provides classroom intervention. Our “One for All” 2013-2015 campaign and subsequent supplemental funding enabled the school to provide Chrome Books and headphone access to each student thereby becoming an Oconee County technology model.
In 2022 Keowee Falls CRO began partnering with WMS to fund programs aimed at easing the transition of incoming 6th grade students into Middle School. Keowee Falls CRO funding in 2023 for the school’s robust Performing Arts Program, followed by funding for their Learning Commons renovation in 2024 and expanded library resources has benefited all 860 students. Volunteers are most active as guest speakers for career day sessions held in the Learning Commons.
Volunteers have worked with school counselors since 2015 to motivate students toward personal and academic success by focusing on the 150 “at risk” students. Additionally, Keowee Falls CRO was active in funding the school’s innovative Green Steps and Environmental Education programs. Most recently we funded a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum linked to outdoor learning and environmental stewardship. This includes annual funding for two “earned” scholarships for FOLKS Watershed Stewardship. Funding in 2024 the renovation of the school’s Wellness Center and 2025 funding for the hall pass monitoring technology benefited all 1,125 students.
Oconee Academy provides services to students in grades 7 through 12 who are experiencing discipline or academic difficulties at their home school. In 2024, volunteers began working with OA and Keowee Falls CRO awarded funding in 2025 for Outdoor Learning space renovations and other hands-on learning initiatives serving 70-90 students.
Link:https://oa.sdoc.org/
By offering over 20 career and technical education programs, HC&TC prepares over 1,000 students for college or a career through hands-on, industry-aligned training. Keowee Falls CRO’s support has included funding for promotional videos to increase awareness among potential students of this program and stipend funding assistance to add more internship options.
Grace’s Closet helps students build self-confidence and excel both in and out of school by providing basic resources such as clothing, hygiene items, school supplies and weekend food back packs. Inviting, boutique-like rooms at 19 Oconee County schools allow students to shop and take items they need. Everything is free to the students. Keowee Falls CRO funds and staffs the Grace’s Closet locations at the 5 schools we support (TSE, WMS, WHS, OA and HC&TC) thereby reaching 2,200 kids, and additionally, we continue to expand our support of their weekend food program “back packs” distributed to 100 students.
Tamassee Hope Village serves children and families in the area to overcome life’s obstacles. Since 2013 Keowee Falls CRO has supported their exceptional infant through 4 year Pre-K program, and the “After School and Summer Enrichments Programs” serving 150 children. In 2022 we began funding the new residential program called the “Starlight Program” for mothers recovering from addiction and their children. This residential program is designed to provide a healing environment for the family by giving mothers the tools to succeed in life and their children the tools to thrive in school and in personal development. Numerous volunteers are engaged as reading tutors, or help with renovations that impact the families served.
BRIEF’s mission is to provide access, training, and experience to kids from low-income families that they need to thrive in today’s technology driven world. Through support to BRIEF we are increasing hands-on technology learning programs for about 150 children in Oconee County. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and robotics classes spark curiosity and reinforce the importance of perseverance and teamwork. Sessions are held at Tamassee Hope Village Schools, the Blue Ridge Community Center and during summer camps hosted by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Foundation. About 10 Falls CRO volunteers are leveraging their STEM backgrounds to foster excitement for learning.
In addition to being fun and structured to support South Carolina State educational standards for grades 3-5, Wild Child outdoor learning experiences inspire about 500 youth each year to make deep, lasting connections to wilderness areas like the Jocassee Gorges. Since 2019 Keowee Falls CRO funded ‘scholarships’ have enabled them to enroll more underserved children in Oconee County. They now reach about 150 children who would otherwise never experience the beauty of this nearby natural wonder.
Keowee Falls CRO funding supports the Foundation’s week-long summer camps – a Leadership camp for about 50 boys and an Empowerment camp for about 30 girls. These are typically Middle and High School students identified by School Resource Officers as “at risk” and are aimed at fostering positive relationships with law enforcement. Camps provide opportunities for mentoring, education on safety and law enforcement resources as well as exposure to positive role models.
130 TSE former students who are now in WMS or WHS are currently eligible for the Keowee Falls CRO-funded “TSE Challenge to be Great Scholarship” through a program designed to help students stay in school. And, if they pursue higher education upon graduation, the program will award them each $1,000. Dedicated funds will be awarded through the Foothills Community Foundation.
When a child comes to Collins they are given a welcome duffel bag, new clothes and a warm loving place to call home. These children, between the ages of birth to 18 are cared for when their family is going through difficulties until they can be reunited with their family. Keowee Falls CRO funding helps to provide resources so that these children get exposure to activities that families typically experience such as a water park, or a movie. Funding also offsets the expenses of counseling and furnishings to create study areas. Recent funding helped with renovations of their indoor activity and recreation space.
This program tackles the challenge that 70% of children in Oconee County are not ready for Kindergarten. Keowee Falls CRO has provided gap funding since 2015 enabling them to expand their reach through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) school readiness initiative which provides books monthly to families with children 0-5. Our funding currently helps them impact about 900 children/year.
Since 2020 Keowee Falls CRO has supported Oconee County Library’s Summer Reading focused on encouraging reading among children. Funding and our volunteers have allowed the Salem Branch to host summer activity workshops for 20-30 elementary school-aged children as well as augmenting the Library’s County-wide program which attracts over 450 kids.
Since 2020 Keowee Falls CRO has supported Oconee County Library’s Summer Reading focused on encouraging reading among children. Funding and our volunteers have allowed the Salem Branch to host summer activity workshops for 20-30 elementary school-aged children as well as augmenting the Library’s County-wide program which attracts over 450 kids.
With the support of these valued Corporate Partners, the CRO is making a difference in the lives of children in the Upstate through literacy, nutrition and mentoring programs. Donations payable to: CRO, Inc., c/o Kevin Mooney, Treasurer, 635 Garden Market, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
CRO is grateful for the ongoing generous support of our Corporate Partners which plays an important part in reaching our goals. Please support them if you are in need of their goods or services, and join us in thanking them for their commitment to our mission!
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