Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Values
Children. From prenatal development through age five, our focus and priority are young children and their families and caregivers.
Relationships. We cultivate positive, supportive, respectful, and reinforcing interactions between people that shape development, build community, increase success and productivity, foster learning and growth, and affirm the unique value of individuals, caregivers, parents, and children.
Equity. We ensure all people have the opportunity and resources to be successful and that all voices are solicited and heard.
High quality. We ensure that our programs and services are culturally-responsive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate and are delivered with fidelity to the model being implemented. Our products, services, and operations are marked by excellence.
Results. We produce meaningful and measurable impacts and outcomes.
MEET Our Staff
“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.”
- Mother Teresa.
Executive Director
Email: shighley@gwdfirststeps.org
Santasha S. Highley is a highly motivated and progress-focused Executive Director with a long-standing background of 20+ years of experience in community services coupled with a drive to build exceptionally talented teams. With a track record of initiative and dependability, she has devised strategic initiatives which prove valuable to Greenwood County First Steps. Having a proven background in business settings and driving organizational change at operational levels, she has demonstrated leadership skills, planning, and problem-solving abilities focused on delivering robust, performance-oriented strategies to meet current and expected demands.
Ms. Highley has contributed to communication, planning, and data interpretation toward team efforts and organizational improvements. Santasha is progressively-minded and in tune with new developments in the field. She has proven to be effective and collaborative with solid organizational talents. Ms. Highley enjoys brainstorming sessions where activities are coordinated to achieve a common goal.
Throughout Ms. Highley’s career, she has perfected strategic planning and operation management abilities and is a capable and consistent problem-solver skilled at prioritizing and managing projects with proficiency.
AmeriCorps
Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: info@gwdfirststeps.org
Moriah Cato is from Columbia SC, and she is currently attending Lander University majoring in psychology. With a passion for community, she likes to serve in any way she can. With her community outreach position, she can capture memories made between families within the community. She helps create community event ideas and helps execute them in a way that brings families together. During Ms. Cato’s free time, she likes to watch movies, travel to new places, and listen to podcasts.
Program Coordinator
Email: jsmith@gwdfirststeps.org
Jamilah Smith is from Abbeville, SC. She graduated from Lander University with her BS in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education. As Program Coordinator, Jamilah is in charge of GCFS’s social media accounts, assists with partnerships with other organizations, organizes community outreach events, as well as assist with childcare trainings. In her free time, Ms. Smith enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and volunteering in the community.
Parent Educator
Email: kcatalan@gwdfirststeps.org
Karina Catala’n is from Abbeville, SC but currently resides in Honea Path, SC with her lovely family. She graduated from Piedmont Technical College with her degree in Human Services. Karina is a devoted mother of one preschool aged child. As parent educator, Karina is in charge of guiding and educating parents on preparing their children for kindergarten, plan group connections, and helping families achieve their goals. In her free time, Ms. Catala’n enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Parent Educator
Email: twhite@gwdfirststeps.org
Tiarra White is from the Low Country of SC but currently resides in Troy, SC. She graduated from the illustrious Allen University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. As a parent educator, Tiarra is in charge of mentoring teen parents in different aspects of life, but most importantly, motherhood. Tiarra’s passions are kids and helping the youth become a better version of themselves. During her free time, she enjoys shopping, traveling and spending time with her family.
AmeriCorps
HIPPY Parent Educator
Email: sgoethie@gwdfirststeps.org
Serenity Goethie is from Beaufort SC, but she is in Greenwood attending Lander University to obtain her degree in psychology. As a HIPPY parent educator, Serenity oversees making learning fun for the child and the parent. She will help ensure the parent and child feel confident to start their educational journey while building meaningful connections. In her free Ms. Goethie enjoys spending time with her fur baby Princeton, trying new places to eat, and spending time with friends and family.
Employment Opportunities
Greenwood County First Steps is always seeking dedicated and compassionate persons to work with us in our mission to better the community by bettering the children from within. To join our great team, please complete the form below, or send an email (with your resume attached) to: apply@gwdfirststeps.org.