How We’re Serving the Health of our Communities

At Urban League of the Upstate, our community-based health and quality of life programs are designed to tackle health disparities head-on by offering accessible programs and support to meet the needs of Black and underserved communities throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. We are proud of our services’ impact, and through continued efforts, we provide individuals with the tools they need to take charge of their overall health.

Health disparities continue to affect people of color and lower-income communities disproportionately. Limited access to healthcare, lack of health education, and environmental conditions often contribute to higher rates of chronic diseases and poorer health outcomes in these communities. At the Urban League, we are committed to understanding and addressing these challenges through targeted health and wellness initiatives.

Our community-based health and quality-of-life programs are just the beginning. With the development of the McClaren Institute for Health & Quality of Life, we are further expanding our efforts to address the social determinants of health.

Through ongoing collaboration with partners like LiveWell Greenville and the Upstate Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the McClaren Institute offers services to improve health outcomes and empower individuals to take control of their quality of life. Here are some of the ways we’re making a difference:

Pop Up Clinics and Health Screenings
In partnership with local healthcare providers and LiveWell Greenville, we organize events that offer free screenings and consultations. These clinics bring essential services directly into underserved neighborhoods, making it easier for individuals to receive vital care like blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and immunizations. By meeting people where they are, we remove some barriers to accessing healthcare and help more people receive preventive care that can lead to better long-term outcomes. In 2023, we hosted 14 events, which over 2,050 individuals attended.

Vaccine Promotion
Through targeted efforts, we are working to provide reliable information to community members on the importance of COVID-19 and flu vaccines. The goal is to build trust in and understand vaccine hesitancy. In 2023, we held four vaccine clinic opportunities to facilitate vaccine uptake and provide valuable education opportunities.

Education and Youth Development
Through our partnership with Upstate AHEC, we launched the McClaren/AHEC Health Equity Scholars program in the spring of 2024. This program, aimed at empowering and nurturing future healthcare leaders, selects 10 Greenville County high school students from the AHEC Health Careers Program who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities. In addition to this specific initiative, the Urban League provided 65,000 hours of one-on-one support and small group programming for students through tutoring, STEM activities, and career networking.

Mental Health Support
Mental health is crucial to overall wellness but is still often overlooked, especially in underserved communities. The Urban League offers mental health education advocacy by providing resources and support to those dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges. Dr. Asa Briggs leads our mental health advocacy work for the McClaren Institute by raising awareness and education.

At the Urban League of the Upstate, we know that healthy communities are strong communities. We invite you to join us in our mission to promote health and wellness for all.