Lily Pad #40: February 2025

Oconee County DSS Office

Oconee County, SC

• Oconee County, located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, sits in the northwestern corner of the state along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and includes the city of Clemson, home to Clemson University. With the installation of Oconee County, there is now a Lily Pad in every county of the Upstate!

• We were so thankful to have a group of volunteers from Greer High School come to the office to install the room by helping unbox items, assemble furniture and hang items on the walls. They were an incredible help since we were completing both a Lily Pad room and a visitation room. Lily Pad was chosen as the recipient of Greer High Schools fundraiser this year, we love community support!

• With orange-striped floors already in place and the DSS professionals encouraging a Clemson-inspired theme, we leaned all the way in - apologies to all the Gamecock fans!

• To steward resources well, we were able to reuse the furniture that was already in the office then add cozy items and ambient lighting, as well as books, toys and storage to the visitation room. Our heart is to create a space that families can use to connect with each other during scheduled visits.

• This Lily Pad was designed to ensure every child that enters it feels safe and supported. These rooms now house a washable rug, fold out sofa bed, and all the standard Lily Pad comforts - sensory toys, books, blankets, electronics, art supplies, and soft lighting - to create a space where children can feel loved and not further traumatized during their time in the office.

• These refreshed spaces provide dignity, comfort, and calm for children experiencing one of the most uncertain moments of their lives.