Lily Pad Expands Trauma-Informed Spaces into Law Enforcement Through Partnership with Spartanburg Special Victims Unit
First-of-its-kind space supports victims of crime, children in crisis, and advocates in Spartanburg.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lieutenant Graham McLellan (Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office)
gmclellan@spartanburgcounty.gov | 864-917-8268 (cell)
Laura Blank (Lily Pad - A Soft Place to Land)
laura@keylightcommunications.com | 646-245-2496 (cell)
Lily Pad Expands Trauma-Informed Spaces into Law Enforcement Through Partnership with Spartanburg Special Victims Unit
First-of-its-kind space supports victims of crime, children in crisis, and advocates in Spartanburg County
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (May 12, 2026) – Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land, a local nonprofit creating trauma-informed, welcoming spaces for children, victims of trauma, and others experiencing crisis, celebrated the opening of its first law enforcement-based Lily Pad today in partnership with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.
The new space marks Lily Pad’s first “soft room,” a trauma-informed environment within a law enforcement setting, extending the organization’s model beyond child welfare offices into environments where individuals first encounter crisis response systems.
“This space is about ensuring that after a crisis, children and adults are met with dignity, safety, and care as they interact with law enforcement officers,” said Jennifer Tice, co-founder of Lily Pad. “For victims of crime and children in crisis, environment matters.”
Developed in partnership with the Spartanburg Special Victims Unit and Sergeant Sarah Arms, this Lily Pad space will serve multiple purposes, including victim interviews, private meetings with advocates, and temporary support for children awaiting Department of Social Services (DSS) pickup.
Lily Pad founders Jennifer and Benjamin Tice were joined by Sergeant Sarah Arms, members of the Spartanburg Special Victims Unit, community partners, and supporters who helped bring the space to life.
Sergeant Sarah Arms stated, “For far too long, victims who had just experienced the worst day of their lives were brought into cold, sterile interrogation rooms that could feel intimidating and overwhelming. In moments when survivors needed comfort, safety, and reassurance, the environment often added to their fear and anxiety. The Lily Pad room changes that.”
Ashlyn, a survivor and advocate, also shared remarks at the event, speaking to the importance of environments that offer dignity, calm, and safety for children and individuals navigating moments of crisis. “Spaces like this matter because how someone is treated in their hardest moment can shape everything that comes after,” she said. “No one should feel alone or unseen when they are asking for help.”
What were once stark, functional law enforcement environments are now thoughtfully designed settings created to reduce stress, restore calm, and provide dignity. The space includes soft seating, weighted blankets, books, and sensory tools, along with other calming elements intentionally selected to help victims and children feel safe and supported. These features also create a more private, trauma-informed environment for Special Victims Unit investigators and advocates to conduct interviews, hold conversations, and respond to crisis situations.
Lily Pad originally began by transforming child welfare offices across South Carolina into trauma-informed spaces for children entering foster care. Since 2022, the organization has created more than 42 Lily Pads statewide and continues expanding through partnerships with governmental agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Why This Matters
The environments people encounter in moments of trauma shape how they experience those moments and what comes next. For victims of crime and children in crisis, the first point of contact is often within law enforcement settings, which are not traditionally designed for emotional support.
No one should experience their worst day in an environment that feels cold or impersonal. A quiet space, a place to rest, and supportive resources are signals of care in moments of crisis.
Lily Pad’s expansion into law enforcement partnerships reflects the belief that environment matters at the first point of contact during trauma, helping ensure individuals are met with dignity, safety, and care.
Did you know? Victims of crime often interact with law enforcement during interviews and advocacy services. Supporting Lily Pad’s work helps ensure individuals are met with dignity, safety, and support at the first point of contact during crisis.
Please courtesy Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land.
PHOTOS: Before-and-after photos of this installation are available: Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office
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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 children, victims of trauma, and others experiencing crisis. Founded in 2022, Lily Pad has created more than 42 thoughtfully designed spaces across South Carolina and continues expanding through partnerships with governmental agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations. Lily Pad restores dignity, safety, and comfort during moments of crisis.
Learn more at LilyPadInc.org.
