About Us
Our Mission
To provide a safe and supportive environment for children and teens who have faced abuse, abandonment, neglect and/or homelessness.
A Growing Legacy of Care
Located in South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia, Palmetto Place was founded by the Junior Woman’s Club of Columbia in 1977 as an emergency shelter for children who needed a safe haven from child abuse and neglect. Our residential home has provided wraparound support services 24/7 for nearly 50 years, and more than 8,500 children have called our house their home. In 2012, we created South Carolina’s first emergency and transitional housing program for non-systems youth experiencing homelessness. In 2016, we expanded our original home, adding space for more children and teens who have faced abuse and neglect. We also opened a second campus that provides housing and support to youth who are at-risk for and experiencing homelessness in the Midlands. In 2021, we started our Transitional Living Program which provided up to 12 beds.
Today, Palmetto Place operates two residential campuses - The Oaks and Samantha’s House - with a total of 27 beds. Palmetto Place continues to providea healing environment that offers a safe haven and support to youth in need.
Programs
Unaccompanied Youth Program:
Palmetto Place’s Unaccompanied Youth Program is housed in West Columbia, South Carolina and prepares youth experiencing homelessness to live independently and reach self-sufficiency. Created in 2012 as the state’s first emergency and transitional housing program for non-systems youth, we provide food, housing, clothing and wraparound services for teens ages 15-21, all genders. Teens are referred to the program by school social workers, partner agencies, and other teens. Teens participating in this program are able to set long-term goals for employment and education and learn the life skills necessary for independence. Many of these residents come to Palmetto Place as a junior or senior in high school and stay at least through high school graduation, although some residents are enrolled in college. The ultimate goal for unaccompanied youth is self-sufficiency and permanent housing in an effort to break the cycle of homelessness. The Aftercare component of the UY Program provides youth who exit the housing program with up to 12 months of support. Our Aftercare and Youth Services Coordinator provides aftercare youth with resource navigation, housing options, and case management.
Basic Center Program:
Palmetto Place’s Basic Center Program allows us to provide additional housing and wraparound services to minor homeless and unaccompanied teens ages 12-18. Teens in the Basic Center Program spend 21 days at the Palmetto Place’s West Columbia campus receiving crisis management, medical services, comprehensive case management, educational assistance and transitional housing options along with the creation of a safety net and support system. At the end of the 21-day assessment process, staff will be able to graduate teens to the organization’s independent living program, make referrals to mental health care facilities, and/or reunite teens with family or provide other housing options.
Transitional Housing Program:
Palmetto Place's Transitional Housing Program, based in Columbia, South Carolina, provides homeless youth ages 18–24 with a safe, stable place to live while they build the skills and resources needed for independence. Residents receive up to 24 months of housing paired with individualized case management, life skills training, education and employment support, and connections to community resources. By combining a secure living environment with hands-on guidance, the program helps young people move from crisis toward long-term self-sufficiency and permanent residency.
Rapid Rehousing Program:
Palmetto Place's Rapid Rehousing Program helps homeless youth and young adults exit homelessness quickly and move into housing of their own. Through short-term rental assistance, housing location support, and individualized case management, participants get the tools they need to secure and maintain stable housing. The program's flexible, client-centered approach focuses on removing barriers to housing quickly, so young people can regain stability and work toward long-term independence.
Aftercare Program:
Palmetto Place's Aftercare Program continues to support young people after they leave our housing programs, helping them stay on track as they build independent lives. Through ongoing check-ins, case management, and connections to community resources, our team helps former residents navigate challenges like employment, education, and housing stability. Aftercare ensures that the support doesn't end when a young person moves out — it's there for as long as they need it.