Lily Pad Installs New Trauma-Informed Spaces at Sumter County DSS to Support Children in Foster Care Across the Pee Dee Region
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Lily Pad Installs New Trauma-Informed Spaces at Sumter County DSS to Support Children in Foster Care Across the Pee Dee Region
Living room-style environments provide comfort, dignity and resources during difficult transitions
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (August 31, 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 the opening of its newest Lily Pad at the Sumter County Department of Social Services (DSS). The event marks another milestone in Lily Pad's continued expansion across South Carolina and comes as the organization recently completed additional installations at the neighboring Calhoun County DSS office.
The Sumter County Lily Pad installation took place August 28-29, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and with support from volunteers and community partners. The project includes two newly designed spaces: a Lily Pad room and a visitation room, equipped with washable rugs, pull-out sofa beds, activity features such as chalkboard houses and LEGO walls, sensory support items, soft lighting, electronics, books and coloring supplies—all designed to reduce stress and create a more welcoming, home-like environment within the DSS office.
This also highlights Lily Pad's growing presence throughout the Pee Dee region. Just a few weeks before Sumter County’s installation, the organization completed new spaces at the neighboring Calhoun County DSS office, expanding access to welcoming environments for children and families navigating the child welfare system.
Together, these projects reflect Lily Pad's commitment to partnering with volunteers, donors and community leaders to ensure more children experiencing foster care find dignity, comfort, and hope during times of uncertainty.
Additional Details About Lily Pad
Lily Pad works one space at a time in partnership with local agencies, volunteers and donors who help fund and furnish each environment. Each space is thoughtfully designed with comfortable furnishings, books, games, sensory supports and technology resources to create a welcoming environment for children of all ages. Beyond installation, the organization remains engaged in ongoing care and upkeep so every space remains welcoming and ready for every child who walks through the door.
Lily Pad has now created more than 45 child welfare and law enforcement locations statewide and continues working toward its goal of completing installations in every South Carolina DSS county office by the end of 2027. As the organization grows, it is also broadening its impact beyond state lines with its first installation in Michigan and broadening its mission beyond child welfare 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.
PHOTOS: Before-and-after photos of the Sumter County installation are here.
Please courtesy Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land.
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 45 thoughtfully designed child welfare and law enforcement locations across South Carolina 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.
