Mother’s Touch provides support to Kingstree youth

Andrews native, Yatta Gayflor opened a daycare in her home during the pandemic. In three years, she quickly grew from a daycare serving a few children to A Mother’s Touch Resource Center that provides learning opportunities and mentorship for children ages 5-18 years and older. The center serves around 35 children of the Kingstree community.

Gayflor attended Greenville Technical College and Florence Darlington Technical College and studied early childhood development. She is a member of New Covenant Christian Fellowship Ministries and Mu Alpha Mu Multicultural Christian Sorority. She serves on the boards of Community Action Volunteer Experience (CAVE) and Hearts That Care of South Carolina.

She grew up around a lot of children, and has a 10-year-old son of her own. “I have been planning to start my childcare business for so long that it kept me up at night dreaming about what it would be like,” she says. She didn’t just want to just help children with homework, she wanted to teach life skills and build good citizens. “A mentor is an extra parent or big brother or sister. We make sure that they know what is going on in the world so we can better prepare them,” she says

Her students learn how to do their own laundry, to count money and how to make change, how to use the library.

“Instead of buying snacks and ramen noodles, we create a list so our kids can learn to grocery shop, be healthy, and know how manage their money,” she says.

Students learn about teamwork and volunteerism. She is always looking for local events that need volunteers, and loves partnering with local businesses for educational field trips. She is working with Lowcountry Medical Center on July 17 to hold a CPR Class for her kids.

She spends extra time with the older group to help them navigate the particular issues of teen years -bullying and peer pressure. She helps them get ready for college. “First-time college students should have a huge support system because there is so much happening,” she says.

The biggest reward for Gayflor is to attend her kids’ award ceremonies. She sees her lessons spread from child to child in school. Success is contagious. She works with her kids on mental health and self-esteem. She matches kids with mentors that are accountability partners to help the young adults navigate through life.

A Mother’s Touch continues to grow. Gayflor has added library, museum and college tours. She takes the kids to community events. “Our outings help broaden our children’s mind so that they know there are endless possibilities, opportunities, and resources that’s accessible to us,” she says. She is currently in need of two 12-15 seat passenger vans or a bus to transport students and continue to provide exciting opportunities for them.

This summer she is offering a summer literacy program for grades first to fourth that focuses on reading, math and science. The cost is $25 per week, per child. And there is still room in the program for more students.

The afterschool program is offered year-round at the Way Makers Community Center from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. for working parents. There is a commitment fee of $40 a week per child. The Saturday Exploration program is held twice a month at the cost of $50 per child. This year students are going to be studying the brain, heart, spine, foot, and lungs. They will also build mini farms, gardens, and cities. The children will have a chance to “Travel around the world with Miss G” in Kingstree. Every month she also hosts an event at Burger Kings so the kids can dance, chat over food and bond over planned activities.

Community members can purchase a $5 hand to support the Mother’s Touch All Hands On Deck campaign. The goal is $3,500.00, and hands will be posted on the center's boards to let the kids know they are supported and cared for.

For information about available programs for kids ages 5 to 18, for information on how to become a mentor, or for donation or community partnership information, call (843) 401-9747, or email Yatta Gayflor at amtexperience29556@gmail.com.