BEFORE & AFTER

Each Lily Pad pad space is unique to the DSS office it is installed in. We begin by meeting with the director of the office to learn the needs specific to their county. After that, a design plan is created, donations are procured and an installation is scheduled. 

When meeting with the director, we gather information on the ages of children they typically serve, how many are currently in foster care and spend their time in the office and if any children are sleeping in that office. We also talk to the caseworkers. We love to ask, “If you had a magic wand, or could request anything at all to enable you to better serve these children, what would that  be?” We listen and try our best to include as many of those wishes in each space. 

Typically, the county director walks us through the office and shows us the space they have in mind.  Some let us choose a space with them.  Each office is different about how much we're allowed to change, like the paint and flooring. But one of our highest priorities is a comfortable place to sleep, so no one has to spend the night on an air mattress under their caseworker's desk.

We are thankful for the hard work put in each day by the caseworkers and staff of these offices. We pray that each Lily Pad helps make their job easier and that the children walking through the door into a Lily Pad will feel loved, valued and some comfort during a very difficult, uncertain time in their lives.