Letter: Penn Center sets new vision

What a pleasure it has been these past eight months to serve the community as executive director of Penn Center. In this short time span, we are experiencing exciting times with a renewed purpose and vision for our future.

Our new vision is to introduce change at Penn Center that is consistent with the mission of the founders and board of trustees and the needs of the community. This new Penn Center will continue to promote preservation of the Gullah Geechee culture while creating an atmosphere of significance for the next generation of constituents.

Penn Center has benefited greatly from partnerships and collaborations locally, nationally and internationally. We will continue to build upon these relationships and form new alliances with community leaders and those with a vested interest in the mission of Penn Center and its sustainability.

A new emphasis will be placed on one key factor in sustainability -- relevance.

Penn Center will continue to provide services that are up to date and consistent with the changing face of this generation and the most urgent needs of our community.

We are working diligently to roll out innovative programs that will provide educational, cultural, nutritional and industrial value to the community. Penn Center Community Enhancement Programs seek to meet our mission-driven goals while creating a guideline for action.

We value your continued support, talents and resources that will further enhance Penn Center and our community. If you are interested in supporting Penn Center's renewed vision, please reach out to us.

Rodell Lawrence

St. Helena Island

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 9:09 PM with the headline "Letter: Penn Center sets new vision."