Forward Progression MAP Logo
Youth and mentors collaborating in a community workshop
Forward Progression Mentor Apprenticeship Program, Inc.

Molding Tomorrow's Leaders.Character. Confidence. Career Skills.

We empower youth (ages 11 to 20) across Columbia, Sumter, Blythewood, and Lexington, South Carolina with mentorship, social emotional development, workforce preparation, and paid apprenticeship placements.

Youth ages 11 to 20Paid apprenticeships (15 to 20)South Carolina
๐ŸšจUrgent: Less Than 30 Days to Give!๐Ÿšจ
Back to School Supply & Donation Drive

Every Child Deserves to Start School Ready

We are collecting school supplies, hygiene kits, and monetary donations to ensure every young person in our program walks into the new school year prepared, confident, and supported. Your generosity changes lives.

Time Remaining to Donate

30
Days
12
Hours
31
Minutes
28
Seconds

Deadline: July 16, 2026

๐Ÿ“ฆ Supplies We Need

Drop off new, unused items or purchase and ship directly to us. Contact us for drop off locations.

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Backpacks

New backpacks for students heading back to school

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Notebooks & Folders

Composition books, spiral notebooks, binders, and folders

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Pens, Pencils & Markers

Writing supplies, highlighters, crayons, and colored pencils

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School Essentials

Rulers, calculators, scissors, glue sticks, and erasers

๐Ÿงด

Hygiene Kits

Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and personal care items

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Clothing & Uniforms

New socks, underwear, school uniform pieces, and shoes

Can't shop? A monetary donation of any amount helps us purchase supplies in bulk at discounted rates, stretching every dollar further.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Donate Now

Every dollar goes directly to supplies and support for our youth. All donations are tax deductible.

๐ŸŽ Donate Now via Zeffy (Tax Deductible)

Forward Progression MAP, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit. A thank you letter with tax exempt information will be provided for all donations.

Want to organize a supply drive at your church, business, or school?

We will provide collection boxes, flyers, and everything you need. Contact us today to get started.

Contact Us to Partner
Who We Are

Building Tomorrow's Leaders, Today

Forward Progression is a 501(c)(3) mentorship and apprenticeship program serving young people and families across the Midlands. We began with a simple belief in work based learning, and grew into something bigger: a full continuum of opportunity. For every young person, we offer mentorship, apprenticeship, work based learning, and financial literacy that build real world skills and a path to independence. For children in foster care, at risk youth, and families in crisis, we add immediate support like school supplies and comfort kits, and the stability of transitional and family housing. Our founders know this journey firsthand, and we are building the kind of unbroken path we wish we had, open to every family who needs it.

Mentor working with diverse group of teenagers
11 to 18
Year olds empowered through our programs

What We Build In Every Young Person

Forward Progression Mentor Apprenticeship Program, Inc. is a Tax Exempt Non Profit Organization in South Carolina. We specialize in empowering youth ages 11 to 18 by providing training, resources, activities, and a Paid Apprenticeship Program.

Our training equips participants with being more competitive, reliable, respectful, and prepared as Students, Student Athletes, Employees, Entrepreneurs, and Citizens in the community.

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Competitive

Prepared to excel in any environment

๐Ÿค

Respectful

Building character and integrity

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Reliable

Dependable in work and community

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Prepared

Ready for life's opportunities

Our Programs

Four Pillars of Youth Empowerment

Each program is designed to build a different dimension of a young person's potential. Together, they create a complete foundation for success.

01

Paid Apprenticeship

Gain real world, hands on work experience while earning. Our apprenticeship program connects youth with meaningful opportunities that build professional skills and confidence.

02

Training and Development

Comprehensive training programs that develop leadership, communication, financial literacy, and professional skills essential for success in school and beyond.

03

Mentorship

One on one and group mentoring from experienced professionals who guide, inspire, and support youth on their journey to becoming their best selves.

04

Activities and Enrichment

Engaging activities that build teamwork, creativity, and social skills. From community service projects to team building exercises, every experience matters.

Where They Work

18+ Active Partner Businesses.

Real South Carolina businesses, real on site mentorship, across every industry your child might want to explore.

WNM EssentialsWNM Essentials
Kiki's Chicken & WafflesKiki's Chicken & Waffles
WE CARE Primary & Urgent CareWE CARE Primary & Urgent Care
Ganzy & Co. BrandingGanzy & Co. Branding
J&M Tasteful TreatsJ&M Tasteful Treats
Columbia PraiseColumbia Praise
Fashions Unlimited IIFashions Unlimited II
Royal Z Bowling CenterRoyal Z Bowling Center
Top Notch Professional ServicesTop Notch Professional Services
WNM EssentialsWNM Essentials
Kiki's Chicken & WafflesKiki's Chicken & Waffles
WE CARE Primary & Urgent CareWE CARE Primary & Urgent Care
Ganzy & Co. BrandingGanzy & Co. Branding
J&M Tasteful TreatsJ&M Tasteful Treats
Columbia PraiseColumbia Praise
Fashions Unlimited IIFashions Unlimited II
Royal Z Bowling CenterRoyal Z Bowling Center
Top Notch Professional ServicesTop Notch Professional Services
WNM EssentialsWNM Essentials
Kiki's Chicken & WafflesKiki's Chicken & Waffles
WE CARE Primary & Urgent CareWE CARE Primary & Urgent Care
Ganzy & Co. BrandingGanzy & Co. Branding
J&M Tasteful TreatsJ&M Tasteful Treats
Columbia PraiseColumbia Praise
Fashions Unlimited IIFashions Unlimited II
Royal Z Bowling CenterRoyal Z Bowling Center
Top Notch Professional ServicesTop Notch Professional Services
WNM EssentialsWNM Essentials
Kiki's Chicken & WafflesKiki's Chicken & Waffles
WE CARE Primary & Urgent CareWE CARE Primary & Urgent Care
Ganzy & Co. BrandingGanzy & Co. Branding
J&M Tasteful TreatsJ&M Tasteful Treats
Columbia PraiseColumbia Praise
Fashions Unlimited IIFashions Unlimited II
Royal Z Bowling CenterRoyal Z Bowling Center
Top Notch Professional ServicesTop Notch Professional Services
Tiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting PlaceTiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Premier Smile CenterPremier Smile Center
ASC Management GroupASC Management Group
Mayor Sloan GriffinMayor Sloan Griffin
Doko Smoke BarbequeDoko Smoke Barbeque
Just Ink About ItJust Ink About It
RBK Styles of FashionRBK Styles of Fashion
The Laboratory BarberThe Laboratory Barber
Myers Mortuary & Cremation ServicesMyers Mortuary & Cremation Services
Tiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting PlaceTiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Premier Smile CenterPremier Smile Center
ASC Management GroupASC Management Group
Mayor Sloan GriffinMayor Sloan Griffin
Doko Smoke BarbequeDoko Smoke Barbeque
Just Ink About ItJust Ink About It
RBK Styles of FashionRBK Styles of Fashion
The Laboratory BarberThe Laboratory Barber
Myers Mortuary & Cremation ServicesMyers Mortuary & Cremation Services
Tiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting PlaceTiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Premier Smile CenterPremier Smile Center
ASC Management GroupASC Management Group
Mayor Sloan GriffinMayor Sloan Griffin
Doko Smoke BarbequeDoko Smoke Barbeque
Just Ink About ItJust Ink About It
RBK Styles of FashionRBK Styles of Fashion
The Laboratory BarberThe Laboratory Barber
Myers Mortuary & Cremation ServicesMyers Mortuary & Cremation Services
Tiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting PlaceTiffany's Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Premier Smile CenterPremier Smile Center
ASC Management GroupASC Management Group
Mayor Sloan GriffinMayor Sloan Griffin
Doko Smoke BarbequeDoko Smoke Barbeque
Just Ink About ItJust Ink About It
RBK Styles of FashionRBK Styles of Fashion
The Laboratory BarberThe Laboratory Barber
Myers Mortuary & Cremation ServicesMyers Mortuary & Cremation Services

Career fields explored:

DentistryยทFood ServiceยทBeautyยทBrandingยทRetailยทHospitalityยทMinistryยทRecreationยทMortuary ServicesยทConstruction
Get Started

Book, Enroll, or Partner.We'll guide the next step.

This quick form helps us route you to the right program. You'll get a response with clear next steps.

What happens after you submit

  • We review your request and match you to the right program or contact.
  • You receive a reply with scheduling options and any required details.
  • If you're a partner business, we'll discuss placement needs and onboarding.

Request Next Steps

Tell us who you are and what you're looking for.

Videos

See Us in Action

Watch our youth grow, learn, and lead through real moments captured on the ground.

Community family day event at the park
What's Next

Back to School Bash & Family Day

Join us for a day of fun, food, community, and celebration as we gear up for the new school year! Bring the whole family out for an unforgettable experience at the park. This year we are proud to support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a part of DSS in South Carolina, as we come together for our youth and families.

July 25, 2026
Save the date!
Doko Park
Blythewood, South Carolina
Mayor Griffin in Attendance
Special guest appearance
Fun for the Whole Family
Activities, food, music, and community
Saturday
July 25
2026

๐ŸŽ’ Back to School Bash & Family Day

Celebrate the start of a new school year with Forward Progression MAP! A community event for families, youth, and supporters. Proudly supporting CASA, a part of DSS in South Carolina.

Backpack giveaway for students
Mayor Griffin in attendance
Supporting CASA (part of DSS in SC)
Free family activities and games
Food, music, and entertainment
Meet our mentors and partner businesses
Doko Park
Blythewood, South Carolina
Forward Progression MAP youth program group photo
Our Impact

Transforming Lives, One Youth at a Time

Every young person who walks through our doors leaves with new skills, confidence, and a clearer vision of their future.

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Students

Academic support and study skills that help youth excel in school and prepare for higher education.

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Student Athletes

Discipline, teamwork, and time management skills that translate from the field to the classroom.

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Entrepreneurs

Business fundamentals, financial literacy, and creative thinking to spark the entrepreneurial spirit.

โ€œOur mission is to ensure every young person has the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to move forward, not just in their careers, but in life.โ€
Forward Progression MAP
Get Involved

Let's Build the Future Together

Whether you're a parent enrolling your child, a mentor ready to give back, a business offering apprenticeship opportunities, or a donor supporting our mission, we'd love to hear from you.

Location

South Carolina

Status

501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Non Profit

Send Us a Message

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.