Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services

Located in South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia, Palmetto Place was founded by the Junior Woman’s Club of Columbia in 1977 as an emergency shelter for children who needed safe haven from child abuse and neglect. Our residential home has provided wraparound support services 24/7 for the last 40+ years and more than 7,500 children have called our house their home. In 2012, we created South Carolina’s first emergency and transitional housing program for non-systems youth experiencing homelessness. In 2016 we expanded our original home adding space for more children and teens who have faced abuse and neglect. We also opened a second campus that provides housing and support to youth who are at-risk for and experiencing homelessness in the Midlands. With a total of 50 beds, Palmetto Place provides a healing environment and hope for children and youth across South Carolina.

Unaccompanied Youth Program:

Palmetto Place’s Unaccompanied Youth Program is housed in West Columbia, South Carolina and prepares youth experiencing homelessness to live independently and reach self-sufficiency. Created in 2012 as the state’s first emergency and transitional housing program for non-systems youth, we provide food, housing, clothing and wraparound services for teens ages 15-21, all genders. Teens are referred to the program by school social workers, partner agencies, and other teens. Teens participating in this program are able to set long-term goals for employment and education and learn the life skills necessary for independence. Many of these residents come to Palmetto Place as a junior or senior in high school and stay at least through high school graduation, although some residents are enrolled in college. The ultimate goal for unaccompanied youth is self-sufficiency and permanent housing in effort to break the cycle of homelessness. The Aftercare component of the UY Program provides youth who exit the housing program with up to 12 months of support. Our Special Programs Coordinator provides aftercare youth with resource navigation, housing options, and and case management. 

Basic Center Program:

Palmetto Place’s Basic Center Program allows us to provide additional housing and wraparound services to minor homeless and unaccompanied teens ages 12-18. Teens in the Basic Center Program spend 21 days at the Palmetto Place’s West Columbia campus receiving crisis management, medical services, comprehensive case management, educational assistance and transitional housing options along with the creation of a safety net and support system. At the end of the 21-day assessment process,  staff will be able to graduate teens to the organization’s independent living program, make referrals to mental health care facilities, and/or reunite teens with family or provide other housing options.

Testimonials

In 2024, Palmetto Place served over 180 unduplicated clients in the Midlands. We served clients from 18 Counties in the State and 4 States.

Sixteen-year-old Charlie and his brother came to Palmetto Place in Summer of 2021 after their mother was hospitalized and unable to provide care. Both boys received crisis services to address their immediate needs, including food, clothing, and emotional support. Charlie's family had been without a stable home for several years, most recently moving from out of state and staying in a motel prior to their mother's hospitalization. Palmetto Place worked with Charlie's mother to match her with a partner agency and ensure that she received on-going medical care and the appropriate support to get back on her feet. Charlie's brother was reunified with a safe family member, but they were unable to provide Charlie with long-term support. Charlie transitioned out of Palmetto Place's Emergency Shelter, and into our Unaccompanied Youth Program, allowing him to receive supportive care, shelter, and wrap-around case management until his 21st birthday.

Due to his family's circumstances, Charlie dropped out of school in the 9th grade. With the support of Palmetto Place, he was enrolled in Adult Education services and completed his GED in just two months. He recently began the WIOA program through SC Works and will begin his Internship for Computer Programming in April 2022. Charlie plans to enroll in the Computer Science Program at Midlands Tech in Fall 2022 and wants to begin a career as an IT Specialist.

Through Palmetto Place, Charlie received access to medical, vision, and dental services - receiving a dental exam for the first time in nearly 5 years. He was also enrolled in mental health services, as well as Substance Use education. Charlie recently obtained his permit and is scheduled for Driver's Training in Summer 2022. An actual quote from Connor last year "This is the first time I've felt safe in a long time."