Your credit score can open doors to opportunities or slam them shut, impacting everything from where you can live and work to how much you pay for insurance. In this episode, we talk with Kerri Smith from Self-Help Credit Union and Dr. Mark O'Rourke from the MICAH Project about what makes up your credit score and why it matters. They discuss practical ways to build and repair credit, including local resources that can help you escape high-interest predatory loans. Learn how you can get involved as a donor or customer of an innovative community program that's already saved Greenville consumers nearly a million dollars while helping neighbors achieve financial success.

Links:

St. Anthony Catholic Church office phone number: 864-233-7717

MICAH Program website: www.MICAHprogram.org

Self-Help Credit Union website: www.self-help.org

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.

Curious what's in store for Greenville County in 2025? We break down the big changes coming in local elections, county leadership, and even plans to fix those pesky potholes. Plus, a look at the podcast's exciting year ahead as it approaches 100K downloads!

Links:

Episode about how municipal elections work and odd year elections: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/vote-smart-your-ultimate-guide-to-greenvilles-local-elections/

Episode about FILOTs (Fee in Lieu of Tax Agreements): https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/what-is-a-filot-and-why-do-we-have-them/

Joseph Bustos article: https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article295946259.html

Palmetto Project: https://palmettoproject.org/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Get in touch.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.

Today we revisit one of our most popular episodes uncovering the story of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, a transformative 25-mile multi-use trail in Greenville County, with special guests Frank Mansbach, Volunteer Executive Director of Bike Walk Greenville, and Ty Houck, Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources for Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Discover how this cherished trail has impacted recreation, transportation, and the local economy, attracting millions of users and breathing new life into once-vacant areas. Dive into the power of persistence, advocacy, and community collaboration as we discuss the years-long efforts to improve safety and accessibility on the trail, and the crucial role elections play in shaping policy outcomes. Don’t miss this informative episode that showcases the potential of local civic engagement in transforming communities for the better.

Links:

Bike Walk Greenville

https://bikewalkgreenville.org/

Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail - Greenville County Rec

https://greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/

Swamp Rabbit Trail - City of Greenville

https://www.greenvillesc.gov/316/Swamp-Rabbit-Trail

Article on Swamp Rabbit Trail crossing 

https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/news/stoplight-at-perilous-greenville-swamp-rabbit-trail-crossing-on-in-april/article_19b8e398-c9b2-11ed-9036-439bf9e6f601.html 

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Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Email us: [email protected]

Purchasing a vehicle is a significant financial decision that requires careful planning and research. In this episode, Kerri Smith, South Carolina President of Self-Help Credit Union, shares valuable insights and practical steps to help listeners navigate the car buying process. Learn how to determine an affordable payment, research vehicle options, understand financing, and work with dealerships to make an informed purchase.

Links:

Self-Help Credit Union: https://self-help.org

Kelly Blue Book: https://www.kbb.com/whats-my-car-worth

NADA: https://www.nada.org/nada/consumer-vehicle-values

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Don't let holiday spending derail your financial future. Kerri Smith from Self-Help Credit Union shares insider tips to sidestep predatory lenders and high-interest debt this season. Learn how to give your family the best gift of all: a financially secure new year. Tune in now for must-hear advice!

Links:

Self-Help Credit Union: https://self-help.org

SC 211: https://sc211.org

SC Fair Lending: https://scfairlending.org/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Discover why giving to local nonprofits matters more than ever. Today we chat with two Greenville County foundation leaders, Meliah Bowers Jefferson of the Jolly Foundation and Andrew Ross of the Hathaway Family Foundation, about the power of individual donors to transform their community. Learn how you can make an impact, whether you have dollars or just time to give. It's not about the size of your gift, but the strength of your heart for your hometown.

Links:

Philanthropic landscape study of Greenville County: https://greatergoodgreenville.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Philanthropic-Landscape-report.pdf

Meliah Bowers Jefferson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meliahbowersjefferson/

Andrew Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-ross-ma-cfre-94b1b84b/

United Way of Greenville County's Project Joy: https://www.unitedwaygc.org/project-joy/

Community Foundation of Greenville: https://www.cfgreenville.org/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Money doesn't have to be stressful! Kerri Smith and Michael Gates of Self-Help Credit Union share eye-opening insights on what money really is and provide practical tips to take control of your finances. Learn how to build savings, reduce money anxiety, and use your hard-earned cash as a tool to improve your life.

Links:

Self-Help Credit Union: https://self-help.org

SC 211: https://sc211.org

Greenville Human Relations Commission: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/humanrelations/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Downtown revitalization requires a balanced, multi-stakeholder approach to be successful, as evidenced by the thriving downtowns across Greenville County. Today we interview Craig Scharton, an experienced downtown and community revitalization professional, who shares the key elements of the Main Street revitalization framework, roles of different community partners, and examples of downtown renewal done right in South Carolina and beyond.

Links:

Craig Scharton LinkedIn

Main Street South Carolina

Ten at the Top website

Upstate Downtown Academy sessions

Palmetto Project website

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Dive into Greenville County's 2024 election results! Learn which precincts had the highest (and lowest) turnout, the surge in early voting, and how to explore detailed precinct-level data yourself. Plus, a look ahead at what's next for the podcast.

Links:

SC Votes stats walkthrough.

Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

In this episode, we sit down with Juan Castrejon and Hanaa Khan, two Greenville County residents preparing to vote in their first presidential election. They share valuable insights on the importance of civic engagement for young people, the barriers that keep their peers from the polls, and the role schools can play in building a stronger democracy.

Links:

Interview on "The Great Retention" podcast: https://pod.fo/e/27dca5

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.