Carolina Children’s Home Alumna Kathy Crow looks through photo albums with her husband, Rick, and daughter, Clara Marie. Crow credits CCH with giving her a nurturing environment with wonderful role models who instilled a great work ethic. CCH remains an important part of her life.

Carolina Children’s Home (CCH) is one of the largest and most comprehensive residential treatment facilities in SC. It is located on more than 50 acres off Trenholm Road, and offers a broad range of programs including counseling and therapeutic services centered on special needs.

Founded in 1909 as an orphanage by the Rev. Carlile Courtenay, CCH has met the changing needs of the community. Children treated at the facility are 6–21 years of age and are typically in custody of the state. Nearly all children served have been removed from their families due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Christine Gibson and Taylor Norvell, members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority at USC, help with lunch. The male–female ratio is 50–50, as is the black–white ratio. Length of stay ranges from ten days to two years, with six–nine months being typical in a moderate management program.

Over the years, CCH has seen the community grow around it as it continued to serve an ever– increasing number of needy children. In 2003, CCH served a total of 349 children and adolescents from families throughout SC. On Saturday, October 2, CCH celebrated 95 years of quietly serving a serious need.

Elizabeth Southern, community relations coordinator for CCH says, “It’s hard to believe in 2004 that anyone would choose not to feed their children or pimp them out. Our goal is to help heal these wounded children who have been robbed of their childhood and make people aware of their plight.”

The anniversary celebration included a commemorative service, tours of the campus and its facilities, an open house for the cottages (living quarters), music, and a lunch on the lawn. It also included displays that gave an overview of the history of CCH.

Three former residents spoke of their time at CCH and what it meant to them. Each speaker hoped their touching testimony would help enlighten a new generation about the home and the lives it saves.