Background of Original Design
Original Design was founded in 2020 from a passion to create an environment where children could live in the Original Design that God created for them.
This Original Design is filled with unhindered union with the Father, Son, and Spirit. As we receive His love we also aim to be a blessing to the world around us. (Genesis 1: 26-31) We not only desire this for the children we serve, but the mentors, volunteers, and donors that are a part of Original Design.
Practically, what does this look like?
Year-Long Mentorship Program
We have created a year-long mentorship program to serve a selected amount of children (between the ages of 8-12yo) in Columbia, SC. After the children are selected, they are partnered with a mentor who will help guide them throughout the year. The year is filled with multiple camps and events that help foster the camper-mentor relationship. Each camp is focused around a specific skill session. Some of them might include: diet/hygiene, work ethic, budgeting, generosity, conflict resolution, etc.
Not only is our program focused on teaching our campers about Jesus and different life skills, but it also is an environment where each camper can dream and build relationships with other campers and mentors. Each year we start fresh with a new group of campers and mentors as well as have opportunities to help support our former campers and mentors as they grow closer after a year of support.
The pictures below showcase each year of our mentorship program starting with our first group in 2021. Since the beginning of Original Design, it has always been about trying to make a deep impact rather than going super wide. We are looking forward to meeting the new campers and mentors who will be a part of the fourth year of Original Design!
Give Back Events
We are committed to helping support children in our community outside of our mentorship program. We have multiple giveback events each year to bless the children in a variety of ways. Some of those ways have included: providing school supplies and book bags to schools in need, helping teachers who are in need of supplies, paying off underserved children’s school lunch debt, among many other things.
We partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors every December to bless 20 children in our community who might not receive Christmas presents with a shopping spree at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Watch this video feature from WLTX News 19 to learn more about Original Design and the impact being made during 2024!
Get in touch.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about what we do at Original Design? Please fill out this form and we will be in touch. Make sure to view our “Get Involved” page if you want to learn more about how you can be a part of blessing our city through Original Design. We look forward to hearing from you!
Is your child between the ages of 8-12 and want to be a part of our mentorship program this year? We would love to talk to you to see if this would be a good fit for your child! If you are interested please email our Program Coordinator Emily, at Ejermstad@Originaldesignsc.org