L.A.W.K.: Ladies Armed With Knowledge

If anyone knows the importance of intervening in the life of a young woman, turning a difficult circumstance around, and guiding her along the right path, it is Chandra Cleveland, founder of Ladies Armed With Knowledge (L.A.W.K.). The Columbia, South Carolina organization serves ladies as young 12 years of age and as mature as 50 years of age. The primary goal of L.A.W.K. is to prevent detrimental behaviors while increasing the focus on positive endeavors.

Young women involved in the program offered by Ms. Cleveland are taught to avoid destructive activities such as becoming a gang member, engaging in behavior that results in teen pregnancy and welfare dependence, use of drugs, becoming a school drop-out and other delinquent behavior. L.A.W.K. currently serves the city of Columbia, Richland County, and surrounding areas but will soon be serving the entire state. Ms. Cleveland is proud to be instrumental in improving the lives of young women who reside in the most economically down-trodden areas of Columbia and Richland County. Uplifting and empowering these women are key to bettering the communities in which they reside.

In a recent telephone interview, Cleveland stated that her organization's symbol, the diamond, reflects the fact that L.A.W.K. is present to help young women reclaim the clarity they have lost, regardless of the causation, allowing them to overcome their current situation and achieve a prosperous future. The example of a loss of clarity she used was a common one... a young lady has a child and drops out of school. Through Ladies Armed With Knowledge, she can obtain a GED, attend college or learn a trade.

If you know of a diamond in the rough whose potential needs a bit of polishing to coax to the surface her inherent ability to sparkle, Chandra Cleveland's contact information is listed below. L.A.W.K. accepts referrals from the Department of Social Services, the juvenile justice system, school personnel, community service agencies, family, friends and self-referrals.

L.A.W.K.
2601 Read St., Suite I-8
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: (803) 223-9314
Fax: (803) 233-2654
E-mail: ccleveland@lawk.org