Upstate Group Builds Future Leaders at Camp

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

A camp this week at the Anderson County Library, aimed for more than fun and games.

The Empowered to Win organization hopes their programs are a launching point to change the future for young people by helping them get a firm grasp on the skills they will need to succeed.

The group, founded by “Coach” Kelly Simmons III and Richard Yeargin III, both former Clemson football players, was created in 2022 to provide something in the summer beyond the ordinary camp experience.

“We came together with a common goal, to transform lives through various tools and education,” said Yeargin. He said helping the students identify the obstacles to reaching their goals, including trauma, and providing them with a path to overcome those challenges.

“We want to empower our students, and build leaders, because we believe the foundation to success is leadership,” said Simmons. “We teach students how to be leaders so they can make healthy choices and decisions.”

Partnering with Anderson County, the Anderson County Library, the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition, New Foundations Home for Children and Trammell & Mills Law Firm, Empowered to Win also hopes the camp is just the beginning of the group’s goals to make a difference in the community.

Sponsorships and partnerships will be key to the effort. Yeargin is working to build a greater partnership with Anderson County in the future.

“The goal of our camp is character building,” said Rachel da Silva, Teen Librarian for the Anderson County Library System. “We are working on literacy, financial literacy, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, the whole gamut. We want to expand their understanding of the world around them.”