Tamassee DAR helps sisters rebuild their lives

Moriah and Patience Gaines are a study in both perseverance and resilience. Moriah was 15 and Patience was 13 when the sisters were placed in foster care after being removed from their parents’ home by the Department of Social Services. Eventually, they entered the Tamassee Daughters of the American Revolution (TDAR) School and residential housing cottages. There, they spent the better part of their adolescent years. They embraced that school’s principles and began to rebuild their lives and thrive. And they especially credit the counseling and help of Cyndi Padgett, the school’s after care services coordinator. Since graduating from nearby Tamassee-Salem High School, the sisters are both furthering their education at Tri-County Technical College. Moriah, now 21 years old, is a Criminal Justice major and wants to work in social services, possibly with foster children. Patience, 19, is a business major and, one day, wants to own her own business. Both hold down jobs at Aldi stores. They credit the DAR school with teaching them life skills to be successful.