Believing that children learn better when they are healthy, Providence Hospitals along with a group of committed community citizens led by Al Pollard established Healthy Learners, formerly Health Reach, in 1992 to help alleviate health related barriers to learning that face our community's economically disadvantaged children. Since its inception, thousands of children have been touched by Healthy Learners' services. The program began by offering services to five Columbia inner city elementary schools but over the years, the Midlands program experienced tremendous growth. The dream of replication of the Healthy Learners model and statewide expansion of the program became reality in the fall of 2005 as 3 new programs opened in different regions of the state; one in Allendale (Lowcountry), one in Dillon (PeeDee) and one in Greenwood (Upstate). In January of 2009, another Healthy Learners program opened in Georgetown County. Currently the five Healthy Learners programs serve 139 schools in ten school districts across South Carolina.

"Like many, my heart aches when I see children who are not getting the health care they desperately need.

Twelve years ago I was honored to help start the charity which eventually grew into Healthy Learners. Back then we focused on eye care, and we quickly saw the need for a comprehensive health care program. Now, we are so grateful that more than 75 partners have reached out, touching the lives of more than 30,000 children in our community."

William A. Pollard, Esq.

Healthy Learners Midlands

Healthy Learners Midlands serves all elementary and middle schools in Richland School Districts One and Two and Lexington School Districts Two and Four. This service area includes 89 schools across a large geographic area of the Midlands. Economically disadvantaged students with identified health needs and little or no means of funding, are referred to Healthy Learners by their school nurse. Healthy Learners services include vision care, dental care, hearing evaluations, assistance with prescription medications, clinical counseling and episodic care for other health concerns. Transportation to and from school to appointments is a unique and vital link to the success of the Healthy Learners program.

2711 Middleburg Drive - Suite 206 - Columbia, SC - 29204 | (803)454-0350 | info@healthylearners.com

© 2005 Healthy Learners | website by Cyberwoven