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The Auntie Karen Foundation is a global, nonprofit, 501(c) 3 charitable corporation certified by the state of South Carolina on October 31, 2001. The foundation’s mission is to create and implement a series of reproducible community outreach programs designed to empower, enlighten and educate through the arts. Programs include: Annual Young Entrepreneur’s Conference Since 2003, this innovative conference held on the campus of Benedict College has brought together youth (ages seven to twenty two) from across the region to foster economic empowerment. Each year, ten young entrepreneurs under the age of twenty five are featured. Auntie Karen’ s Place TV Pilot: Auntie Karen’s Place
The Auntie Karen Foundation partnered with SC ETV and Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital to produce a 30-minute DVD that uses puppets and music to provide a simple way to explain life skills such as: health, emergency preparedness, jazz music and financial literary. The Foundation received a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia and SC Competitive Grants program. Artpreneur/Technopreneur Classes The purpose of the Artpreneur/Technopreneur classes is to “inspire a new generation of business leaders through arts and technology”. Classes include: visual art, dance, creative cooking, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, spoken word and etiquette. The Auntie Karen Foundation’s Artpreneur pilot program started in 2003. Hugs From Carolina
The Auntie Karen Foundation partnered with Auntie Karen Inc. and City Light Inc. to create Hugs From Carolina. Hugs From Carolina, a division of Hugs Around The World, has Olivia The Octopus spreading hugs to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The program was launched in Biloxi, Mississippi on October 14, 2005. Children were given an adoption kit which included: an Olivia The Octopus Hand puppet and the book “Olivia Gave A Hug Today”. Once again, Olivia and City Light Inc. joined forces with a Hugs Campaign in Saluda, SC. Legends of...(A Salute to Black History)
The Auntie Karen Foundation pays tribute to the contributions of African Americans with the Legends of...Programs. Each year, the celebration includes: Black History Program with The Columbia Museum of Art, The Legends of...Master Class with The University of South Carolina, The Legends of...Concert & Silent Auction (Koger Center) and the Lecture & Lunch series. Gordon’s Garden
The Gordon’s Garden Program was created to teach kids about healthy living habits. Gordon, an original Auntie Karen character, is an overweight, purple Jamaican Yam. The Jamaican Yams are used to teach healthy living skills to youth via music, books and DVDs. The fear that Gordon’s weight and eating habits are putting him at risk for developing diabetes was the inspiration for the garden.

Auntie Karen® Foundation Programs

2013 - 14 Auntie Karen Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization. All Rights Reserved

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Contact Information:

PO Box 602

Columbia, SC 29202

803-748-7124

info@auntiekaren.org