“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
Purpose of MTCC:
Middle Tyger Community Center is a non-profit 501C-3 organization located in Lyman, SC that brings together community, local, and state agencies to support the Spartanburg County District Five Area and adjoining areas of the county. MTCC supports the community with adolescent pregnancy prevention programs, comprehensive programs for pregnant and parenting adolescents and their babies, family literacy, counseling, health needs and crisis intervention, and more recently, MTCC served as a transition center for displaced workers from a local industry closing. MTCC is a valuable asset for the community and plays a leading role in improving quality of life for children and families.
History and Background:
The motivation to establish the Middle Tyger Community Center (MTCC) began in 1996 when a high school nurse working in a small rural community in Spartanburg, South Carolina noticed that too many young girls in high school were getting pregnant and dropping out of school. The nurse also observed that many of these young mothers went on to have additional babies at a young age, lived in poverty, and lacked family support, parenting and coping skills. At the time, there were no programs in the area designed to address the multiple needs of these young mothers. The nurse shared her observations with leaders in the school district and throughout the county. Together, community leaders and agencies developed a vision of an innovative and comprehensive family resource center that would address the complex needs of parenting adolescents and other disadvantaged families living in rural Spartanburg County.
The opportunity to realize the vision of MTCC came in 1997 when the Mary Black Foundation awarded planning, pilot and implementation grants totaling $4.7 million to Spartanburg County School District Five, the largest grant made by a South Carolina private foundation in the state’s history. Funds were used to conduct needs assessment, develop innovative programs, and to renovate a former elementary school building owned by Spartanburg County School District Five. Soon after, a full collaborative partnership was formed, staff was hired, participants were recruited, programs were launched and in August 1998, MTCC was opened to the public.
Eleven years later, MTCC has grown into a vibrant place for community members to gather, celebrate, learn, and support one another. MTCC provides comprehensive services to the community including early childhood education, family counseling services, youth development programs, a food pantry, and adult education programs including GED, ESOL and Literacy classes. In addition, ReGenesis Healthcare Clinic is located inside the MTCC facility which affords the integration and co-location of many services needed by children, adolescents and families.
To access MTCC’s Form 990 please click on the following link: