Are you curious about the services and programs offered by the City of Greenville? Look no further than Greenville Cares, the city's one-stop customer service center. Today we sit down with Renei Suarez, customer service supervisor with the City of Greenville, to learn all about how Greenville Cares can help you report an issue, submit a service request, or get information about city programs, services, and events. From pothole repairs to business permits and more, Greenville Cares is here to he...
Jan 31, 2023•12 min
In this episode we talk to the newly elected Chairman of Greenville County Council, Dan Tripp. Dan discusses his role as Chairman, his hopes for County Council, and the Council's priorities for the coming year. He also talks about how Greenville County Council will be more accessible to constituents, making it easier for you than ever to plug into what's going on in your county government. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company . Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Goo...
Jan 24, 2023•17 min
If you’ve lived in Greenville, SC for even a short period of time, you know that it is changing. Beautiful amenities such as Unity Park and continued development of Main Street have only enhanced Greenville’s appeal to visitors and new residents who are moving into new apartments, condominiums, and single family homes within the city and throughout the county. There is one group that is leaving the city, though - Black residents. Recently released data compiled by the Shi Institute at Furman Uni...
Jan 17, 2023•31 min
As a Community Development Financial Institution, CommunityWorks is dedicated to improving the financial well-being of underserved communities in South Carolina. Through affordable housing development loans and small business lending, CommunityWorks helps create stability and wealth in these communities. Additionally, support services such as financial education help empower individuals to grow their financial acumen and achieve their goals. Whether you're a small business owner looking to expan...
Jan 10, 2023•14 min
The VITA program is here to make tax season a breeze! In this episode, we speak with Michelle Lyons, the director of financial stability at the United Way of Greenville County, to learn more about this amazing program that offers free tax preparation services to those who make under $60,000 a year. Find out how to qualify, schedule an appointment, and navigate tax season with ease. VITA is powered by United Way of Greenville County. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company . Simple Civics: G...
Jan 03, 2023•11 min
Tax season is just around the corner, and you are needed to volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This amazing program, powered by the United Way of Greenville County, provides free tax preparation services to anyone making 60,000 a year or under, and it is run by volunteers. We would love for you to be one of those. And today, you'll hear from Tiffany Bannister, Vita regional program manager. She'll talk about how you can volunteer for VITA, some of the rewards that you'll ...
Dec 20, 2022•12 min
As long as we’ve had neighborhoods, neighbors have been a help to each other. Neighbors used to watch each other’s children, keep an eye out for older adults, run errands for each other, and let each other know of programs and services that could be of help. But many of our neighborhoods - especially those like West Greenville - have changed dramatically as residents in rental homes have been displaced by development and increasing costs. The former residents may be disconnected from each other ...
Dec 13, 2022•28 min
Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greenville If you don't have a will when you die in South Carolina, "essentially you're letting the state legislature decide what happens to your property and who will administer it," says former Greenville County Probate Judge Diane Smock. She talks with Jessica Ferguson of Turner Padget about wills, estates, and advance directives. You'll learn: Why it's so important to have a will, health care power of attorney, and power of attorney - even if you don'...
Dec 06, 2022•34 min
More than 1.7 million voters across South Carolina cast ballots in the 2022 general election held just a few weeks ago at the time of this episode posting. In Greenville County, almost 180,000 people turned out to vote. Here at simple civics, we celebrate every vote and every voter who exercises their privilege to choose our leaders and have a say in what happens. These folks chose our governor, our State Superintendent of Education, our senator, and so much more. The bad news is just 52% of peo...
Nov 29, 2022•15 min
This episode is dropping on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving which begins a season of giving and serving. Today, I’ll talk with Ryan Duerk, president and CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries, the largest organization in the Upstate of SC serving people experiencing homlessness. On any given night, over 600 men women and children call a Miracle Hill bed home. Ryan has great insights to share with you on how to best help your fellow community members who are hurting. He also has food for thought on the a...
Nov 22, 2022•21 min
Greenville County has a Veterans Affairs Service Officer to meet the needs of veterans in our community, and on today’s episode of Simple Civics: Greenville County, you’ll hear from him and how he is here to help you or your family members with veterans benefits. Alan Dabney, an Army Veteran, is interviewed by Charlie Hall, a retired Marine, and President of Upstate Warrior Solution. Navigating veterans can be challenging, and Alan and his team at County Square are a resource to you if you’re a ...
Nov 15, 2022•16 min
It’s election day 2022! Voters have the responsibility of getting to the polls if they haven’t already, but there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes for election officials, candidates, and campaign volunteers. This episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look from pre-dawn to finalizing election results. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company . Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville ....
Nov 07, 2022•24 min
The State Superintendent of Education has duties outlined in the South Carolina Constitution , including serving as administrative officer to the state board of education, having general supervision over and management of all public school funds provided by the state and federal governments, and keeping the public informed as to the problems and needs of the public schools by constant contact with school administrators and teachers. In this episode, we talk with the three candidates for SC Super...
Nov 01, 2022•30 min
Probate Judge may be the office on the ballot with which voters are least familiar, but it's one that most Greenville County residents will come into contact. The Greenville County Probate Judge handles marriage licenses, wills and estates, protective services, and so much more. On today's episode, meet the candidates: Judge Debora Faulkner , incumbent, and Chad Groover . _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company . Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville ....
Oct 25, 2022•18 min
We've brought you candidates for County Council and School Board, and in the coming weeks, you'll meet the candidates for Greenville County Probate Judge and State Superintendent of Education. We hope you are hearing from candidates you'd like to support. Of course, your vote is the most important way to do that. But there are many more ways to get involved and multiply your impact. On today’s episode, we’ll talk about how to do that. Our producer Nathaniel DeSantis, who is a newer voter, interv...
Oct 18, 2022•17 min
Meet Jeff Cochran, Brittany Hilbert, and Steven Watterson, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 28. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Jeff Cochran: cochran4education.com Brittany Hilbert: https://brittany4schoolboard.com/ Steven Watterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-watterson-0b08b821/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Transcript: ...
Oct 11, 2022•26 min
Meet Amanda Brett, Stephanie Leonard, and Roger Meek, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 26. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Amanda Brett: https://amandaforgreenvilleschools.medium.com/ Stephanie Leonard: https://stephleonard.com/ Roger Meek: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/About/main.asp?titleid=bdmeek Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.g...
Oct 06, 2022•27 min
Meet Dr. Gene Beckner and Dr. Anne Pressley, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 24. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Dr. Gene Beckner: https://beckner4education.com/ Dr. Anne Pressley: https://www.pressley4education.com/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/area-24-meet-your-candidates-f...
Oct 04, 2022•22 min
Meet Lura Godfrey and Lynda Leventis-Wells, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 22. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Lura Godfrey: https://lura4education.com/ Lynda Leventis-Wells: https://lyndaforeducation.com/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/area-22-meet-your-candidates-for-greenvi...
Sep 29, 2022•20 min
Meet Chuck Saylors and Tim Schuyler, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 20. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Chuck Saylors: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/About/main.asp?titleid=bdsaylors Tim Schuyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-schuyler-7737055/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.o...
Sep 27, 2022•19 min
Meet Ann Marie Middleton and Patrick Suddeth, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 18. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Ann Marie Middleton: https://annmarie4schoolboard.com/ Patrick Suddeth: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/About/main.asp?titleid=bdsudduth Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Simple Civics: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecou...
Sep 20, 2022•21 min
Meet Dr. Ben Carper and Alan Mitchell, candidates for Greenville County Council District 23. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Dr. Ben Carper: http://www.drbencarper.com/ Alan Mitchell: https://www.alanmitchell-greenville23.com/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov Simple Civics: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company . Simple...
Sep 13, 2022•19 min
Meet Sheryl Guarniero and Joey Russo, candidates for Greenville County Council District 17. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. Sheryl Guarniero: https://www.sherylgforsc.com/ Joey Russo: https://www.votejoeyrusso.com/ Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company ....
Sep 06, 2022•17 min
How do elections in SC work? John Michael Catalano, Outreach and Special Projects Coordinator with the SC Elections Commission, covers how the state Elections Commission interfaces with county Boards of Voter Registrations and Elections, how to register, how to request an absentee ballot, and what to expect in early voting and on election day. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company .
Aug 30, 2022•21 min
School is back in session, which is exciting, but it also means that student anxiety and stress are beginning to ratchet up. Now more than ever, this is true because we're still coming back from the pandemic and the additional stress it gave students. Today you'll get to hear from one student who's making a difference. Emma Wright is a senior at Riverside high school, where she helped to form Minds Matter, a local club that helps students and staff at Riverside who are struggling with mental hea...
Aug 23, 2022•15 min
Parents, caregivers, and others who volunteer in schools are a vital part of student success. But if you're a new school parent, it can be intimidating to get involved. Quentoria Jones is a mom of four in Greenville County Schools who overcame her nervousness and has become a core member of the school community. She talks with Catherine Schumacher, President and CEO of Public Education Partners, about why it's important for caregivers to get involved, how schools and current volunteers can make ...
Aug 16, 2022•19 min
Greenville County Schools is by far the largest school district in South Carolina, and the 46th largest in the country. With the start of the new school year upon us, we will hear what goes into running such a large and dynamic district, from food service and transportation to academics, to safety. To do that, we invited Catherine Schumacher with Public Education Partners to interview Phillip Davie, the new Greenville County Schools Deputy Superintendent, who served as Associate Superintendent f...
Aug 09, 2022•18 min
It's almost back to school time at Greenville County Schools, which is by far the largest school district in South Carolina, and one of the largest in the entire country, with 77,000 students, 6,000 teachers, and thousands of additional employees. Today, you'll hear from Julie Horton, Director of Governmental Relations for Greenville County Schools, as she discusses the role of the South Carolina General Assembly, the State Superintendent of Education, and other policymakers shaping what happens...
Aug 02, 2022•23 min
When we talk about local government, it’s easy for us to lump everyone involved - from staff to elected officials - into one big bucket. But government staff and those people elected to represent us have very distinct roles. The more clarity around their roles, the better work they can do on our behalf. Today I’ll talk with Andrew Merriman, City Administrator for the City of Greer, and Mark Hopper, a member of the Greer City Council. Both feel passionate about role clarity and how council and st...
Jul 26, 2022•20 min
Nathaniel Desantis produces every episode of this podcast, and he gets to hear firsthand the behind-the-scenes conversation with every guest. He shares what he's learned so far, and Katy Smith previews what's next in Season 3. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company .
Jul 19, 2022•15 min
