Hey! Im from SC too! 
Anyways- take your time, it may take you a year or more to rebuild but it will be worth it in the end-
I've always had better luck calling the OC than the CA to see about removing the debt. Most of the time they will still be willing to work with you on a repayment system and get it off your reports (if they still have you on record) CAs can be a pain and I recommend never calling them instead send a pfd by mail (if you have available funds)
GW the other lates you have.
Once you get some of these lates and collections off of your cr, try for some ccs but use them WISELY!! but don't waste your inquiries without looking into it first. (if you have any still open now- look into the cc forum to see ways to use them in your best interest)
Keep paying everything else on time- payments and util on cc is by far the leaders in helping build or destroy your credit.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Anyways- take your time, it may take you a year or more to rebuild but it will be worth it in the end-I've always had better luck calling the OC than the CA to see about removing the debt. Most of the time they will still be willing to work with you on a repayment system and get it off your reports (if they still have you on record) CAs can be a pain and I recommend never calling them instead send a pfd by mail (if you have available funds)
GW the other lates you have.
Once you get some of these lates and collections off of your cr, try for some ccs but use them WISELY!! but don't waste your inquiries without looking into it first. (if you have any still open now- look into the cc forum to see ways to use them in your best interest)
Keep paying everything else on time- payments and util on cc is by far the leaders in helping build or destroy your credit.
I hope this helps! Good luck!