When Irmo residents were alarmed by rising juvenile crime, Mayor Barry Walker and the Town Council acted.

They sought a positive solution – the HeartED Youth Zone Program.

The program has quickly become a positive way to help kids who were causing trouble for Beacon Hill subdivision and other Harbison area residents.

“Since the program began several months ago, juvenile crime in the area has been drastically reduced,” Mayor Walker said.

The mayor credits youth zone partners:

• Dr. Akil Ross who founded the HeartEd Youth Zone.

• Rev. Alonzo Johnson of the Universal Outreach Church.

• Harbison Community Association and Harbison Garden Apartments.

The Youth Zone formula was created by Dr. Ross and his non-profit to provide programs for children in affordable housing.

This empowers them with academic, athletic and artistic opportunities.

The former principal of Chapin High and the 2018 National Principal of the Year attributes his home, elementary school, and a recreation center for teaching him how to face early adversity.

The town began driving the children in the Harbison Garden Apartments to after school activities.

In July 2020, 8 students enrolled.

Today, 80 students are eligible to attend free with continued growth expected.

Along with other partners, the Mungo Foundation and Ken and Jondy Loveless have made significant contributions.

The Universal Outreach Church’s non-profit group is licensed through the state’s Department of Social Services as a Temporary Child Care Center.

It serves school-aged children who are in virtual or hybrid school programs.

It also offers after-school programs and partners with HeartEd Youth Zone.

The Harbison Community Association’s donation of a bus gives transportation for Harbison West Elementary students to the after-school program at Universal Outreach Church.

Much of the seed money was provided through HeartEd, LLC.

The Town of Irmo has contributed a portion and is hoping other municipalities affected by the positive changes will contribute to the program.

“All children living in the Irmo Youth Zone can attend free but those outside the area may pay a fee,” Mayor Walker said. “Additional funding would help alleviate that cost for those kids and get more of them into safe and productive after-school mentor programs.”

For details please visit www.heartedllc@gmail.com .

Dr. Ross can be reached at 864-358-9176 or aross@heartedllc.org .

Mayor Walker can be reached at 803-206-2044 or barrywalker@townofirmosc.com .