Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)
A program by Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC)
Empowering Youth. Inspiring Leadership. Building Healthy Futures.
The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC) is proud to offer the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) for youth ages 10–19 residing in Lexington and Richland Counties.
The Youth Advisory Council is a youth leadership and development initiative designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become healthy, responsible, and successful leaders in their homes, schools, and communities.
Through education, leadership development, interactive learning, and community engagement, participants develop lifelong skills that prepare them for adulthood while serving as members of the BLEC Youth Advisory Councils.
Our Mission
The mission of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center Personal Responsibility Education Program (BLEC PREP) is to empower adolescents ages 10–19 with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make healthy, responsible decisions. Through comprehensive Personal Responsibility Education, BLEC PREP provides abstinence and contraceptive education to help prevent pregnancy and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while delivering adulthood preparation subjects that support a successful transition into adulthood.
Our Vision
To cultivate a generation of informed, resilient, and compassionate young leaders who make responsible life decisions, build healthy relationships, achieve educational and career success, and positively impact their families, schools, and communities throughout Lexington and Richland Counties.
Youth Advisory Councils (YACs)
The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center operates two Youth Advisory Councils:
1. Lexington County Youth Advisory Council
- Serving youth ages 10–19 who reside in Lexington County.
2. Richland County Youth Advisory Council
- Serving youth ages 10–19 who reside in Richland County.
The Youth Advisory Councils meet two to three times each week and provide opportunities for youth to:
- Develop leadership skills
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Learn healthy decision-making skills
- Explore career and college opportunities
- Improve financial literacy
- Develop communication and teamwork skills
- Participate in community service
- Share ideas that improve youth programs
- Become ambassadors for positive youth development
Core Educational Topics
PREP Trainers facilitate engaging discussions, activities, workshops, and leadership experiences focused on:
- Leadership Development
- Healthy Relationships
- Financial Literacy
- Career Readiness
- Life Skills
- Adolescent Development
- Sexual Health
- Contraception Education
Youth participate in interactive learning experiences designed to build knowledge, confidence, leadership skills, and personal responsibility.
Program Goals
The PREP Program is designed to:
- Increase knowledge of healthy relationships.
- Increase understanding of adolescent development.
- Strengthen communication skills.
- Improve decision-making abilities.
- Develop financial literacy skills.
- Improve career readiness.
- Increase personal responsibility.
- Strengthen leadership skills.
- Increase goal-setting abilities.
- Improve knowledge of sexual health and prevention strategies.
Community Outreach
The PREP Program extends learning beyond the classroom by engaging youth and families through community events and educational outreach.
Annual outreach activities include:
- Parent-Child Communication Events
- Community Baby Shower
- Community Health Fair and Back-to-School Bash
- Summer Camp Family Engagement Activities
- Youth Leadership Activities
- Community Service Projects
- Public Awareness Campaigns
These events provide parents, guardians, trusted adults, and youth with educational information, community resources, and opportunities to strengthen family communication and support positive youth development.
Community Work Group
The PREP Community Work Group provides leadership, oversight, implementation, and evaluation of the PREP Program.
The Community Work Group consists of:
- Project Manager
- PREP Trainers
- Program Evaluator
Additional members, community partners, and subject matter experts may be invited to participate as the program expands.
The Community Work Group meets biweekly to:
- Review program implementation
- Monitor grant deliverables
- Evaluate Youth Advisory Council activities
- Coordinate outreach efforts
- Review program data
- Plan educational sessions
- Strengthen community partnerships
Meetings may be held in person at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center or virtually, depending on member availability.
Meet the PREP Team
Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton, PhD, MBA
Project Manager & Executive Director
Dr. Cotton provides overall leadership and management of the PREP Program, including strategic planning, grant administration, community partnerships, staff supervision, public awareness initiatives, and compliance with South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DPH) requirements.
Office: (803) 744-7943
Mobile: (803) 747-3519
Email: crichburgcotton@brookland.cc
Dr. Carolina Rodriguez-Cook, MD
PREP Trainer
Areas of Instruction:
- Healthy Relationships
- Adolescent Development
- Sexual Health
Dr. Rodriguez-Cook provides engaging educational sessions that encourage healthy lifestyles, informed decision-making, and positive youth development.
Office: (803) 744-1968, Ext. 254
Mobile: (803) 429-2803
Email: CRodriguez-Cook@brookland.cc
Tori Seymour, M.Ed.
PREP Trainer
Areas of Instruction:
- Leadership Development
- Contraception Education
Tori Seymour leads youth-centered activities that strengthen leadership skills, teamwork, communication, and personal growth.
Mobile: (843) 478-5175
Email: tseymour@brookland.cc
Michael Brown, MBA
PREP Trainer
Areas of Instruction:
- Financial Literacy
- Career Readiness
- Life Skills
Michael Brown provides practical instruction that prepares youth for future educational, financial, and career success.
Mobile: (803) 920-8393
Email: mbrown@brookland.cc
Dr. Lauren Hopkins
Program Evaluator (Contracted)
Dr. Hopkins oversees evaluation activities for the PREP Program, including data collection, outcome measurement, reporting, and continuous program improvement in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DPH).
Email: lauren@preparedtoimpact.com
Contact Us
Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC)
1218 Batchelor Street
West Columbia, SC 29169
Main Office: (803) 744-7943
Project Manager
Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton, PhD, MBA
Office: (803) 744-7943
Mobile: (803) 747-3519
Email: crichburgcotton@brookland.cc
Follow Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center
Explore more of our website and follow us on social media for upcoming Youth Advisory Council meetings, parent-child events, community outreach activities, leadership opportunities, and PREP educational resources.
Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC)
Empowering Youth. Inspiring Leadership. Building Healthy Futures.
Where to Find Free Condoms in Columbia?
You can securely access free safe-sex resources at these local spots.
