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Lily Pad Celebrates Largest Project to Date, Unveiling Six Trauma-Informed Spaces at Charleston County DSS
DSS State Director Tony Catone joins Lily Pad, community partners, and volunteers to celebrate a public-private partnership serving children in foster care
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 30, 2026) – Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land, a nonprofit creating trauma-informed, welcoming spaces for children, victims of trauma and others experiencing crisis, celebrated its largest project to date: opening six new trauma-informed rooms at the Charleston County Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS State Director Tony Catone joined Lily Pad leaders, community partners, and volunteers for the ribbon cutting.
Rather than a single Lily Pad room, the Charleston County project transformed six distinct spaces within one DSS office, each designed around the developmental, emotional and practical needs of the children who will use them. The six spaces include an infant room, toddler room, elementary room, teen room, dining and celebration room, and a signature Lily Pad room, each designed for the ages and needs of the children it serves. Features range from a LEGO DUPLO wall in the toddler room to LEGO walls and age-appropriate activities for older children, along with soft lighting, weighted blankets, sensory toys, comfortable furnishings and sleeping accommodations. A previously donated College of Charleston jersey was also incorporated to preserve the space’s connection to the local community.
“Children entering foster care aren’t all the same age, and they don’t all have the same needs. A teenager needs something different than a toddler, and a sibling group needs something different than an infant,” said Jennifer Tice, co-founder and executive director of Lily Pad. “With Charleston, we had the opportunity to create six distinct spaces that recognize those differences while communicating the same message to every child who walks through the doors: You matter, and you are worthy of being cared for.”
The infant room, with a crib, two rocking chairs, a changing table and a fold-out bed, reflects the real needs of families in crisis. At Lily Pad’s recent inaugural gala, DSS caseworker Charlsey Maner shared the story of a young mother facing homelessness who, exhausted and considering surrendering her newborn, found a place in a Lily Pad to rock her baby to sleep and rest while DSS staff worked to secure shelter. Stories like hers shape Lily Pad’s trauma-informed approach to caring for both children and the adults supporting them.
The transformation began well before Lily Pad’s installation team arrived. Charleston County maintenance staff worked alongside the nonprofit to prepare all six spaces. Led by Brandon Comps, a Trades Technician 2 with Charleston County Government, the team coordinated material deliveries, painted every room, installed additional electrical outlets and replaced carpet tiles with durable luxury vinyl plank flooring that will be easier to maintain for the children who use the spaces.
"[Quote from Director Catone taken from the ribbon cutting]" said Tony Catone, state director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The project was made possible through financial contributions from Darrel and Alicia Jackson Foundation and Modern Woodmen of America, donated materials from Sherwin-Williams, which provided 20 gallons of paint, and hands-on help from volunteers across the Carolinas. Volunteers from City Life Church helped prepare for the installation, and Modern Woodmen of America volunteers traveled from North Carolina and across South Carolina to help install the spaces.
“The Lily Pad story is one of huge self-sacrifice for others. What a fantastic mission and people,” said Keith Mays, regional director at Modern Woodmen of America. “We at Modern Woodmen of America are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them and help support such a great vision. It’s amazing what happens when organizations’ values align.”
The Charleston County spaces continue Lily Pad’s growth across South Carolina, following recent openings at the Sumter, Calhoun and Williamsburg County DSS offices. With only a handful of counties remaining, Lily Pad is on track to reach its goal of ensuring every DSS county office in South Carolina has a trauma-informed Lily Pad by the end of 2027, which would make South Carolina the first state in the nation to reach that milestone.
Additional Details About Lily Pad
When a child enters foster care or experiences a placement change, they may spend hours waiting in a child welfare office until their next placement is ready. Lily Pad creates trauma-informed, living room-like settings where children and others experiencing crisis can rest, play, do homework and regain a sense of calm during one of the hardest days of their lives.
Lily Pad works one space at a time in partnership with local agencies, volunteers, and donors who help fund and furnish each environment. Beyond installation, the organization remains engaged through a network of volunteers who help clean, refresh and maintain each space so it stays welcoming and ready for every child who walks through the door.
Since 2022, Lily Pad has installed more than 90 trauma-informed rooms in 49 child welfare and law enforcement offices across South Carolina and Michigan. The organization has also broadened its mission through partnerships with law enforcement, including its first trauma-informed space within the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Why This Matters
The environments people encounter during moments of crisis shape how they experience those moments and what comes next. For children entering foster care and others facing trauma, a space designed for comfort and dignity can help reduce stress and begin to restore calm. Rooted in faith, Lily Pad's mission is grounded in the belief that every person is inherently valuable and deserving of dignity, safety and care, especially in moments of uncertainty.
Did you know? There are approximately 3,400 children in foster care in South Carolina. Supporting Lily Pad's work helps ensure more children encounter safe and healing environments when they need them most.
Before-and-after photos of the Charleston County installation are available here.
Photos of the ribbon cutting ceremony can be found below. Courtesy "Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land."
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About Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land
Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land works to create safe, welcoming, trauma-informed spaces with supportive resources for individuals experiencing crisis. Founded in 2022, Lily Pad has created more than 90 thoughtfully designed child welfare and law enforcement locations across South Carolina and Michigan and continues toward its goal of expanding into child welfare offices statewide and beyond. Lily Pad restores dignity, safety and comfort during moments of crisis. Learn more or get involved at LilyPadInc.org.
