About Us | Lowcountry Youth Services

Our History

Lowcountry Youth Services, originally Connections and You, Inc., was founded in October 2008 by Ricardo Perry in Hanahan. The aim was to create the Bennie Warren home for boys, but challenges led to the creation of the Distinguished Gentlemen's Club (DGC) instead. DGC began in 2010 with 12 boys and quickly grew, expanding into multiple chapters by 2013. By 2017, DGC became a nonprofit, merging its branches into one. Since its start, DGC has mentored over 350 boys.

The Journey

2008

Founded as Connections and You, Inc. by Ricardo Perry in Hanahan, SC, with a vision to establish the Bennie Warren home for boys.

2010

Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club (DGC) launched, starting with 12 boys at the Danny Jones gym in North Charleston.

2013

DGC expanded into two chapters—Hanahan and North Charleston—due to rapid growth.

2016

DGC Summerville chapter established.

2017

DGC merged into one program and became a nonprofit organization, mentoring over 350 boys.

2019

Name changed to Lowcountry Youth Services to support expanded programs, including girls and in-school initiatives.

2020

Young Men Rise In-School Youth cohort launched at Oakbrook Middle School, growing to serve 480 young men across eight schools by 2023.

2021

"Queens Being" mentoring program introduced for young women of color.

2022

Girls on the Rise In-School Youth cohort launched, supporting five schools in the tri-county area.

VISION

Every Child Wins

MISSION

To provide Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester County youth with the tools they need to succeed in every area of their lives.

VALUES

Integrity

Accountability

Commitment to

Success

Diversity

Consistency

Empowerment

Community

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5 Important Reasons Why We Are Passionate About Mentorship

MENTORSHIP IMPACTS YOUTH IN SCHOOL

Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.

(Public/Private Ventures Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters)

MENTORSHIP REDUCES DRUG/ALCOHOL ABUSE

Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking. (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters)

MENTORING PROMOTES POSITIVE SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND RELATIONSHIPS

Mentored youth tend to trust their parents more and communicate better with them. (The Role of Risk, 2013)

MENTORSHIP HELPS TO PREVENT DEPRESSION IN YOUTH

Studies show that the strongest benefit from mentoring, and most consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive symptoms — particularly noteworthy given that almost one in four youth reported worrisome levels of these symptoms at baseline. (The Role of Risk, 2013)

MENTORSHIP INCREASES COLLEGE ENROLLMENT

Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. (The Mentoring Effect, 2014)