Mission Lexington is more than a thrift store.

Formerly called LICS, Mission Lexington launched the first class of Kid Cadets this summer. They had over 300 children participate.

Kid Cadets is a free 10-week interactive learning program. Parents help their child complete tasks both at home and through different opportunities at Mission Lexington and throughout the county.

The purpose of Kid Cadets is to engage school-aged children in the growth of Mission Lexington so that they can be ambassadors within their own communities. By giving them a mission every week, Cadets learn to volunteer and support others.

Cadets took a tour of Mission Lexington to better understand how and why the agency exists.

Partnering with Carolina Wildlife, Cadets learned the importance of animals and learned to grow worms to help feed animals being rehabbed at the center.

ABLE SC provided a talk with Dori Tempio and Shack the service dog to teach children about friends with disabilities.

Wingard’s Nursery provided a fun and interactive day where students learned how to plant flowers that attract pollinators.

Children in the program have learned to crochet with plastic bags to create sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness.

Kid Cadets also hosted a food drive at the Icehouse Ampitheater, toured the Sonoco Recycling Center, will be hosting a fundraiser at Menchies, and also will tour and learn about the Lexington Police Department.

Graduation for Kid Cadets is Monday, August 13th for those who have completed at least ten of the assigned tasks.

The mission’s hope is that children will understand their vital role in helping their neighbors in need in Lexington County both now and for generations to come.