Nicole Ventour

Nicole Ventour was born in Brooklyn, New York. She attended California State University, earned a bachelor's degree from Medgar Evers College in 2002, and a graduate degree from Yeshiva University in 2007. Her career experience includes working as a licensed clinical social worker and community advocate. She has been affiliated with the National Association of Social Works.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Growing up, I remember coming to Lancaster during summers to visit with family who were all born and raised in Lancaster, South Carolina. I knew one day Lancaster would be my home. My dream became my reality when I relocated to Lancaster 13 years ago, with my then 5 years-old son after his father and I decided to divorce.

After locating to Lancaster, I opened a mental health agency, The Right Direction, LLC, as a psychotherapist. However, I found the need to take on other needed roles in the community due to a lack of resources. The Right Direction, LLC then became my ministry. I became a social worker, case worker, an advocate, and any other roles to help those who felt helpless. I took on multiple roles while offering free after-school care for children receiving behavioral health services. I also offered free mental health services to parents who couldn’t afford their own treatment and provided a free summer program for children in treatment. This was all done without grant money or financial support from any organization. I used profits to hire staff to support and care for the children receiving treatment. This was also done while experiencing my own financial hardship but refusing to limit the services provided to children in my care.

This is how I gave back to District 45. I have done what God has guided me to do by giving of my time, my heart, my soul, and my love to a District in need. This is how I served God and continue to serve Him.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

District 45 has not experienced the growth seen in Indian Land e.g. increased housing, affordable housing, increased resources, or transportation because of a lack of representation by the current House Representative for District 45.District 45 has been denied the right to request a payment plan for utilities bills or property taxes or the right to choose between internet providers because the current House Representative for District 45 has not advocated for these changes.District 45 School District is focused on a school bond that is directing most of the money out of District 45 and ignoring the needs of the district. Our school district is not providing adequate services for children who have IEPs, not adequately compensating our teachers who are working in underserved and rural areas, and not providing adequate support to teachers who are held accountable for a lack of performance while being expected to take on multiple roles.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental Health Reform, Gun Safety, Women's Rights, and the need for improvement in infrastructure

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I strongly believe the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office is understanding the needs of the community and identifying strategies to address those needs. Taking the responsibility of meeting with the community and being available to hear concerns when needed. It's imperative that someone elected to this office has also made a conscious decision to be the voice of the people and being committed to doing the work for the people versus being the voice of private interest groups. District 45 has been economically deprived, not because resources are not available but because they haven't been directed to where they are most needed. Therefore, the last core responsibility of someone elected to this position is simply to be of integrity and understanding that the role is to advocate for what's needed within District 45 and that we're working to represent them.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I would love to be invisible man to eave drop on the Republicans to understand how they actually come up with the laws that tend to divide the American people versus Unite us.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A major struggle in my life was separating from my ex-husband, relocating to South Carolina as a single mother, opening a business, and having to advocate for my child who had an IEP with limited support. Being a mother is not easy for anyone regardless of being single or not. It takes a lot of work to put the needs of others before your own and working to find a balance that many of us never find. It was easy to lose my identify because I became so consumed by issues within my family and my business. Therefore, my struggle has been being a women attempting to find my identifying outside of my work and my family.