Executive Director Randolyn Harmon, pictured second row, left side, with recent Parent Cafe finacial literacy series graduates.

Tucked away in an unassuming, but stylishly retro business park is the office of the Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative (NCFC). Even upon entering the humble office, I felt a warmth and sense of community that you don’t find just everywhere.  

Randolyn Harmon, the Executive Director of the collaborative is busy cleaning the space from class the night before. After a kind greeting, she ushers me into her office where our conversation begins. A veteran of the Greenville County School system, Randolyn spent 13 years as the district’s Director of Title I Programs. Once she retired, her work with the NCFC began. 

Before we get into what NCFC does, we must understand where they came from and why they even exist. Nicholtown is a historically Black neighborhood in Greenville that can trace its roots back to the 1870s. However, it isn’t the same neighborhood as it’s always been.  The dynamics of change over the years unfortunately led to the closing of the community 4K program. 

Through this, Nicholtown’s residents have grappled with struggles, but the sense of community and support always shines through. The struggle that was the impetus for NCFC was the destruction of the community’s 4k program.  Through hard work and dedication, NCFC was able to bring back to the Nicholtown community a 4K program. Located at Phyllis Wheatly Community Center known as the Ruby H. Jones Head Start is operated by SHARE. NCFC recognized the need to provide 4K parents with resources to help them maintain a sustainable life and began its Parent Café program.  Parent Café is a program for parents and their children (ages 10 -17). 

Sessions are held at the Sterling School on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month; Parent Café provides more than just a class. “We serve a hot meal where we eat together as a family. Then the parents and children separate to attend their designated class.”  

One of Parent Café’s initiatives is to offer financial literacy to our families. NCFC has teamed up with Greenville Federal Credit Union to host a series of four financial literacy workshops. Parents who participate in at least three of these workshops will graduate and have a savings account opened for them by Greenville Federal Credit Union.

Parent Café isn’t the only program offered at NCFC. 

“I learned of an opportunity through First Step. We had the chance to bid for the Nurturing Skills for Young Parents program course, and we got it.” Now in its second year, the Nurturing Skills for Young Parents program “aims to equip young parents (ages 13 – 24) with the skills they need to support themselves and their children.” The skills range from nurturing behaviors, emotional development, and even what discipline looks like. In this program, the parents are also served a hot meal before breaking out into the class.  

It's important to note that NCFC isn’t just for residents of Nicholtown.

“We’ve shifted beyond, we serve all of Greenville County now. From Taylors to TR, if you need us, we’re here.” 

It’s apparent that Randolyn loves what she does, and it’s that love I could feel when I asked what she wanted whoever reads this to know about NCFC 

“We go beyond what we do on a Tuesday and Thursday for our participants. If they need help applying for WIC, if they need help getting another kind of voucher, or if they need help applying for a job, we’re here. If you know a person who could use our services and participate in our programs, just reach out. You can call me anytime.” It’s that dedication to the cause that has made her efforts such a success. 

“We’re a family. We have families that have been with us for years. That’s the kind of rapport we want to build. We constantly get contacted about updates on the families. It’s a little bittersweet, after 14 weeks (participates in the Nurturing Skills for Young Parents program) you get attached and you’ll miss them, but you want them to succeed beyond the class.” 

When I asked how others could get involved: 

“We need volunteers for multiple things, for childcare, sorting donations, among other things. We always accept donations, monetary or goods.” They accept diapers, meal donations for both programs, toys, clothes, and essential care items like toiletries. What’s one of the best things you can do right now? “I don’t think people know about us at all. Just help us get the word out and get our name out there in the community.” 

As my time with Randolyn neared its end, she impressed upon me why what NCFC does is so important. 

"Many people who don’t work directly with families may not realize that offering a single workshop isn’t enough to create lasting change. Families often need guidance on what to do next. That’s where we come in, we provide ongoing support and walk with them through each step. Having a trusted point of contact they feel comfortable with truly makes all the difference." 

If you want to donate or get involved, visit the Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative website here (external link). To contact Randolyn Harmon, call her at 864-509-0777.