Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services

What Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services does

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services is a Columbia, South Carolina-based nonprofit organization founded in 1977 by the Junior Woman's Club of Columbia that provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and wraparound support services to children, teens, and young adults who have experienced abuse, abandonment, neglect, or homelessness. The organization operates two residential facilities — The Oaks in West Columbia (housing the Basic Center Program and Unaccompanied Youth Program, serving youth ages 15-21) and Samantha's House in Columbia (a Transitional Living Program with nine beds for youth ages 18-24) — with a combined capacity of 50 beds across two locations. Its service portfolio also includes the L.Y.G.H.T. grief support program for youth in foster care, the Midlands' only Safe Place crisis access program operating through 11 QuickTrip gas station locations, and a volunteer engagement program (Philanteers).

The organization's business model is a nonprofit donation-and-grant model rather than a commercial revenue model. Services are delivered free of charge to youth beneficiaries; funding is sourced from federal grants (notably the Family and Youth Services Bureau Basic Center Program under HHS, Grant Number 90CY7466), individual donations, corporate sponsorships, in-kind contributions, and annual fundraising events including the Hero Hustle 5K race and the Sweet and Savory chef competition. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of up to 18 community members plus four appointees from the Junior Woman's Club of Columbia, holds COA (Council on Accreditation) credentials, and serves 21 counties in South Carolina's Midlands region. There is no proprietary technology platform; the underlying operating stack is conventional nonprofit service delivery (residential care, case management, community programs) supported by a website, social media channels, and event-based donor acquisition. Since founding, more than 7,500 children and teens have been served, including 127 in 2021 alone and 400+ unaccompanied youth since the program's 2012 launch.

Name

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services

Legal name

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services

Website

https://palmettoplace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services is a Columbia, SC nonprofit founded in 1977 that operates emergency shelter and transitional housing programs across two facilities (50 beds total) for youth ages 0-24 who have faced abuse, abandonment, neglect, or homelessness, funded by federal grants, donations, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Shelter Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAO

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAJAEAG

Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Alternative & At-Risk K–12 Education (Continuation, Recovery, Juvenile)

SECONDARYBPAGADAM

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Emergency youth shelter
• Transitional housing services
• Runaway youth services
• Child welfare services
• Youth residential care

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Contributions: Monetary donations from individuals who contribute to support the organization's mission of providing housing and services to youth who have faced abuse, abandonment, neglect, or homelessness.
2. Corporate and Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from annual events including the Hero Hustle 5K and Sweet and Savory fundraiser. Corporate sponsors receive recognition, table reservations, advertising, and logo placement in exchange for contributions.
3. Federal Grants (FYSB): The Basic Center Program is a federally funded program through the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Grant Number 90CY7466 supports runaway and homeless youth programs.
4. Volunteer and In-Kind Contributions: Volunteers donate time, talents, and services including meal preparation, tutoring, life skills facilitation, landscaping, and special outings. In-kind donations of necessities, wishlist items, and products support operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services is a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina that provides free emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to children, teens, and young adults experiencing homelessness, crisis, or unstable living situations. The organization runs multiple residential and outreach programs — including The Oaks, Samantha's House, the L.Y.G.H.T. Program, and Safe Place — delivering crisis intervention, basic needs, case management, and aftercare to youth in need.

Product overview

Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services is a nonprofit organization operating a unified portfolio of housing programs and support services for vulnerable youth in South Carolina. The core offering centers on two residential facilities: The Oaks (West Columbia), serving unaccompanied homeless youth ages 15-21 through its Basic Center, Transitional Housing, and Aftercare components; and Samantha's House (Columbia), offering a Transitional Living Program for youth ages 18-24 preparing for independent living. These are complemented by community-based programs including the L.Y.G.H.T. grief support program for foster care youth and the Safe Place crisis intervention program operating through 11 QuikTrip locations across the Midlands. The organization also engages volunteers through its Philanteers program. Together, these programs provide a continuum of care from emergency shelter through transitional housing to aftercare support, totaling 50 beds for children and youth who have faced abuse, abandonment, neglect, or homelessness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Oaks (Emergency Shelter)

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 7,500 children and teens have been served since 1977
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Safe Place Network (NSPN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Safe Place Network is a for-purpose national organization dedicated to strengthening the response to youth in crisis. Palmetto Place operates as the Midlands' only Safe Place Program Provider under the NSPN umbrella, providing access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in Richland, Lexington, and surrounding counties.
• QuickTrip Gas Stations (11 locations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor11 QuickTrip gas stations in the Midlands serve as Safe Place locations - designated sites where youth in crisis can access immediate help. These locations display the yellow and black Safe Place sign as the universal symbol of youth safety and act as gateway access points to Palmetto Place services.
• The Dougy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dougy Center is a nationally recognized expert in child welfare and grief. L.Y.G.H.T. program was developed by Dr. Monique Mitchell and Dr. Donna Schuurman in partnership with The Dougy Center. The program is an evidence-based intervention listed in the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
• United WayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPalmetto Place volunteer opportunities are listed on the United Way Volunteer Portal, enabling community members to find and sign up for volunteer positions.
• Strictly RunningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrictly Running provides race management services for the Hero Hustle 5K event, including timing, course management, and packet pickup coordination at their Devine Street location.
• Apex Forensic EngineersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApex Forensic Engineers presented the 3rd Annual Hero Hustle 5K as an event sponsor, providing support for the organization's annual fundraiser.
• Gibson and AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGibson and Associates insurance presented the 3rd Annual Hero Hustle 5K as an event sponsor, supporting the organization's annual fundraiser.
• Junior Woman's Club of ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1977 by members of the Junior Woman's Club of Columbia. The organization appoints four members to the Board of Directors annually and has been the founding sponsor of Palmetto Place for over 40 years.
• BlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for Palmetto Place programs and services, logo displayed on website.
• Rabon EnterprisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMason contractor and corporate sponsor supporting Palmetto Place, logo displayed on website.
• City YearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeather Turner, now Deputy Director, previously served as Regional Recruitment Director, South Region of City Year, Inc. and has professional connections to the organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Covenant House: Covenant House is a national nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional living, and wraparound services to homeless and trafficked youth ages 16–24 across 30+ U.S. cities. It is the most direct national analog to Palmetto Place's continuum of emergency shelter, transitional housing, and aftercare for vulnerable youth.
• Family Promise: Family Promise is a national nonprofit that addresses family homelessness through shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs, with a growing youth-and-young-adult transitional housing portfolio. It is a direct peer operating emergency shelter and case management for at-risk populations, overlapping Palmetto Place's residential model.
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Bridge Over Troubled Waters is a Boston-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, education, and counseling services to homeless and at-risk youth ages 14–24. Its residential-plus-wraparound continuum and age range closely mirror Palmetto Place's Basic Center and Transitional Living Programs.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: Larkin Street is a San Francisco-based nonprofit offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, drop-in services, and education/employment programs for homeless and at-risk youth ages 12–24. It mirrors Palmetto Place's integrated housing-plus-case-management model serving unaccompanied youth.

Regional players

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is a Columbia, SC-based youth-development nonprofit providing after-school and teen programs to children and teens in the same Midlands service area as Palmetto Place. Comparable as a regional youth-services nonprofit competing for the same local donor, volunteer, and grant pool.
• South Carolina Youth Advocate Program: South Carolina Youth Advocate Program is a state-based nonprofit providing advocacy, independent living, and case-management services to at-risk youth in foster care and those aging out of care. Comparable to Palmetto Place's L.Y.G.H.T. and Transitional Living offerings as a regional SC youth-services peer.

Emerging players

• The Dougy Center: The Dougy Center is a nationally recognized nonprofit specializing in peer-grief support for children, teens, and families. It is a direct strategic partner — its evidence-based curriculum underpins Palmetto Place's L.Y.G.H.T. program — and an emerging player in the grief-support subsegment that intersects with Palmetto Place's foster-youth services.

Others

• National Runaway Safeline: National Runaway Safeline is the federally designated 24/7 crisis hotline and resource hub for runaway and homeless youth in the U.S. It is not a direct residential competitor but is an adjacent ecosystem participant that intersects with Palmetto Place's unaccompanied youth referral flow and FYSB-funded mission.

Broad incumbents

• South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS): SCDSS is the state public agency responsible for child welfare, foster care, and protective services throughout South Carolina. It is the broad incumbent government counterpart that funds, licenses, and refers significant portions of the child- and youth-services population Palmetto Place serves.
• National Safe Place Network (NSPN): NSPN is the national umbrella organization that licenses the Safe Place program under which Palmetto Place operates 11 Midlands access points. As the franchisor/aggregator of the Safe Place network, it is the broad incumbent governing the channel Palmetto Place depends on for crisis intake.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/palmettoplaceshelter
• Xx.com/palmettoplckids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/palmetto-place-children-youth-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services