Optimism Preventive Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of young people ages 5 to 18 through education, mentoring, leadership, service, and prevention programs. Optimism is full of dedicated, hard-working teenagers who go above and beyond to make their schools and communities a safer place. 

 

This organization has overcome many obstacles. Through all of its challenges, Optimism continues reaching out to other youth in its community and schools to spread the message of #NoMoViolence and engage youth in violence prevention activities. 

 

Promoting education, mentoring and prevention programs in Georgetown and surrounding areas; the organization has held ten annual teen dating and violence seminars that have attracted over 500 teens. Their annual anti-bullying parade and rally has grown from 60 participants in 2014 to over 400 participants last year. Optimism Preventive Services, Inc. was awarded the “National Chapter of the Year” (2016) by National Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Youth Summit which led to the production of an awareness video released on MLK DAY in 2017.

 

Other programs implemented by the organization annually include teen pregnancy prevention programs, peer mentoring, crime prevention activities, Operation Get Smart (in conjunction with SC Dept. of Corrections), OPS Tutoring Service, male mentoring program, girl’s summer book club, and youth community services volunteer hours.

 

Denise Chatman, the organization’s founder and executive director, believes in exposing children to great things and has dedicated herself to making sure the students of Georgetown County are well represented on both a national and local level. Youth involved in Optimism are active in civic activities and speak regularly at City and County Board meetings.

 

We Believe…..Everyone has it in them to achieve great things. When we work together we can travel farther and climb even higher!