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True Vine Health Services, Inc.

"I am the true vine.... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John: 15:1.

To True Vine and the Singleton family. 2007 has been the best year of my life, and you all gave me something to strive for. My grades have gotten better, and you all gave me the best Christmas. My bike is the best present in the world. Thank you all and happy New Year. - Warren Currie.

First Choice Provider Monnieque Singleton, MD, of Singleton Health, Inc., in Orangeburg, North and Santee, is hoping that Christ will help him prune his dream of serving the health, socioeconomic and educational needs of children so the fruits of his labor will not be in vain.

Several years ago, Dr. Singleton met a young boy who was abandoned by his mother at 2 months old. He was struggling in school with Ds and Fs and had never been exposed to activities and social retreats usually taken by other children his age. Dr. Singleton arranged for the boy and his father to take a field trip to the zoo in Columbia, a trip that the boy’s father said transformed his son into an avid animal book reader at the library.

The boy's grades improved over time, and he became an honor roll student. The child is Warren Currie. This gave Dr. Singleton an idea. "If we can do it for one, we can do it for a bus load." Thus began True Vine Health Services, Inc., a non-profit organization initially started to implement health-focused interventions for child patients but has since grown into a motivational program designed to foster children’s educational and socioeconomic development.

"This organization is a way to reach our children and inspire them to be all that they can be and keep them motivated. We’re giving them exposure to different professions and allowing them to interact with professionals who have chosen these disciplines as careers," says Dr. Singleton.

Since its inception, children in the program have taken trips to the Gibbs Museum of Arts, the SC Aquarium in Charleston, Riverbank Zoo and Gardens, the African American Monument and the State Capitol in Columbia. Many of the children in the program have never been to a museum or aquarium. A special appreciation event was held in December to thank the children and parents for their participation. Additionally, an annual culminating program will be held in early summer for the children, their parents and program volunteers to celebrate the children’s progress and achievements.

The program is designed for 42 children a year and is focused on children ages 10 to 15, although some are younger. An outing is planned for each quarter. "True Vine is not just about taking trips," says Dr. Singleton. Participants either draw or paint a picture following their trips and journal their experiences following their excursions. The organization’s Board of Directors decides what activities to participate in, which are all provided at no cost to the child. Plans are being made to add a tutorial service to the program because Board members believe that the key to escaping poverty is education, and the more they can inspire their participants to do their best academically, the better their chances of earning a college degree.