Carolina Youth Development Center’s (CYDC) Callen Lacey Center for Children was established in response to a critical need identified by the 1992 Trident United Way Needs Assessment. The assessment identified several critical areas of focus for the community including supporting children in crisis. As a result, members of the community came together to form the Give Me Shelter Committee which would focus on addressing this important issue.
As a result of CYDC’s history and success serving the Lowcountry through its residential care and community-based programs, the Give Me Shelter Committee, Berkeley County office of the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Trident United Way asked CYDC to establish a shelter in Berkeley County to serve children in crisis.
With the support of individuals and businesses in the Berkeley County community including, Trident United Way, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Housing Trust Fund of SC and the Duke Endowment, funds were raised to build a new residential, group home in Moncks Corner that would provide a safe and nurturing environment to help youth and families reach their full potential.
Since its opening in 1998, CYDC’s Callen Lacey Center for Children has been home to more than 900 children ranging in age from newborn to 17. Its doors stay open to serve children and youth 24-hours a day 365 days a year.
The center is dedicated to the memories of Dr. William H. Lacey and Mrs. Maude E. Callen. Dr. Lacey was a renowned, local, family practitioner who served the Berkeley County community for decades. Mrs. Callen, a nurse-midwife who served the Berkeley County community for much of her life, was also a member of the Berkeley County Department of Health as a public health nurse. Because of their legacy of over fifty years each of selfless giving to and caring for the citizens of Berkeley County, Callen Lacey Center for Children strives to maintain the hope and desire that each child will be nurtured by that same spirit.
Callen Lacey Center for Children is the only CYDC cottage located in Berkeley County.