Eckerd Connects is the latest Chamber Member Spotlight recipient, a program of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.
Lorena Marquiz, a recruiter for the past four years at Eckerd Connects, accepted the presentation on Apr. 23 from Chamber Board member Dr. Wykia Macon.
Eckerd Connects operates programs in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including four residential programs in North Carolina. The local program serves girls ages 13-17 who are involved in the juvenile justice system.
At the Eckerd Girls Residential Academy at Kerr Lake, located near Manson, the girls attend a school on site, have access to mental health professionals and treatment options for substance use, among many other opportunities for care.
The girls typically are in the program for up to nine months, with follow-up for two years after that. The local program partners with various organizations as well as Job Corps centers.
Eckerd Connects was established in the early 1960’s by Jack and Ruth Eckerd, owners of Eckerd Drugs. The first program was created for boys in Florida. Since then, programs have been established across the country to provide opportunities for young people to get back on track with school, develop skills and return to their homes and communities.
