Every child's home should be a safe haven. A refuge from pain, a blanket of security. But that's not always the case. For those whose home is a place of terror, Palmetto Place is here.

Early in the 1970s, the members of the Junior Woman's Club of Columbia (JWC) were making themselves aware of the unique needs of children in stressful home environments.  The club's Search Committee began to study the situation and possible areas of service the club could offer.  The tragic stories of abused children presented through the news media as well as special appeals from state and local authorities indicated the lack of emergency shelters for abused and neglected children in the community.

In June 1976, a special meeting of the club was called, and the membership voted unanimously for its new project, Youth Resources.  In January 1977, a home was purchased in Columbia, and the Palmetto Place Children's Emergency Shelter was born.

Palmetto Place is a five-bedroom home, with each bedroom designated for a specific age range and gender. At capacity, Palmetto Place can house 16 children, from infants to age 17. In an effort to protect the identity of the children it serves, the exact location of Palmetto Place is kept confidential.

During their stay at Palmetto Place, children receive medical, mental health and dental care; nutritious meals; and clothing and personal care items. Staff provides transportation to and from school and appointments for the children, and the children can participate in a wide variety of recreational and social activities.

Since the shelter was founded, more than 6,000 of the Midland's abused, neglected, and abandoned children have found a safe, nurturing home at Palmetto Place.

Our mission: To provide a safe and nurturing emergency shelter bringing together a broad range of services for children who are victims of abuse and neglect.