NOTE: As of Feb. 29, 2024, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has rebranded to Landmarks for Families. Our nonprofit, community programs and residential services remain committed to cultivating thriving youth and families in this new chapter.
Thank you for your meaningful support for Carolina Youth Development Center. Now that Hurricane Matthew has passed, we hope everyone is back safely in their homes and can begin the process of recovering and attempting to return to their normal daily routines. Over the last few days, many in the community have reached out to ask about our youth during this difficult time. We are so grateful you would think of us.
In preparation for the hurricane, our children were moved to safe lodging in the Rock Hill area where all their essential needs were met. We were graciously hosted by another foster care home, sleeping on mattresses and cots in the administrative building for three days. A number of our residential counselors evacuated with the children, offering our kids familiar faces and reassurance in an unfamiliar setting. It took a great deal of patience from the staff and children and we were proud of them. CYDC youth returned home Sunday to a team of staff and volunteers who spent the day with them.
We had a solid disaster plan in place and felt good about how smoothly the process was executed. However, the costs associated with this emergency evacuation were tremendous.
Snacks, meals and beverages were provided for 48 children and accompanying staff; vans, buses and our campus power generator required substantial fuel purchases; also one of our buses broke down on the drive up to Rock Hill and will require costly repairs. When we returned to campus Sunday we were without power, and the generator we were hoping to use to run electricity to one building housing the children suffered damage.
In total, Hurricane Matthew expenses over the past four days ripped a hole in our budget approaching $15,000. We need your help to assist with the unbudgeted costs of this disaster.
“The safety and security of our children is always our first priority,” said Interim CEO of CYDC Beth Kerrigan. “So as staff we have worked tirelessly leading up to, during and after the hurricane to ensure that all of their needs are met. Now that the storm has passed, it is evident that the financial hit CYDC has sustained in providing these needs is significant and will necessitate assistance from our community supporters.”
Please consider making a donation by calling Carolina Youth Development Center VP of Development Gordon Robertson at 843.266.5218, going to www.cydc.org/make-a-donation or sending a check to:
Carolina Youth Development Center
5055 Lackawanna Boulevard
North Charleston, SC 29405
