Young Ladies/Leader Conquering Obstacles (YLCO) is a non-profit organization that provides programs for youth, ages 11 to 18, to enhance their individual, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical development. Due to the overwhelming demand to serve young men, Young Leaders Conquering Obstacles (YLCO) was created in January 2008.

Description:
YLCO works with Charleston County young people and primarily involves African-American females and males from low to moderate-income families with limited social or economic opportunities or both. YLCO help participants understand that they are working for an ultimate goal. Through classes, presentations by volunteer speakers, community leaders, field trips and college tours the program provides interactive opportunities for participants to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become self-supporting adults, good family members and responsible community citizens.
Participants are required to participate in at least one community service project each year placing them in a helping role versus their more traditional role of the one in need of help. Participants are provided the opportunities to attend uplifting cultural events, including theater and dance performances, concerts, and exhibits. The program activities include monthly meetings, an overnight college tour, an end of the year formal banquet, a mentee/mentor retreat, field trips, an etiquette class, social/recreational/cultural events, and summer enhancement programs.

History:
The Young Ladies Christian Organization (YLCO) was implemented in 1999 to include the young ladies ages 11 to 14 from Delta Academy (Charleston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.), the Church of Christ at Azalea Drive, Brentwood Middle School, and Jenkins Orphanage. As the young ladies aged out of the program, a second program, Youth In Action was adopted in 2002 to address the needs of the 15 to 18 year old. The name Young Ladies Christian Organization was changed to Young Ladies Conquering Obstacles in the year 2003. YLCO received its nonprofit status in 2004. Due to the overwhelming demand to serve young men, Young Leaders Conquering was created in January 2008.

Contact people:

Liticia Hairston, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Jacqueline Conyers, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Brenda Bennett, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (843) 744-5615

Address:

3950 Azalea Dr. Charleston, SC 29405 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ylco.org

Directions:

From I-26 Take Cosgrove 216B exit--get into your far left lane---make a left at first traffic light onto Azalea Dr. You will pass a cemetery on your left--keep going until you see Jenkins Institute on left & apartments and the church. . . (more)