To learn more and purchase tickets for our 2024 Changemakers Luncheon, click here.
Landmarks for Families’ 2024 rebrand marked the start of an exciting new journey for our team, our community and the children and families we serve. Our second-ever Changemaker Event on Sept. 17 is a testament to the continued progress we are making together.
Our team has experienced many changes since our founding as the nation’s first public orphan house. As an organization in a rapidly evolving field like child welfare, some of these important changes can often go unnoticed by our clients and partners.
We recently sat down with our CEO, Beverly Hardin, to discuss this evolution and explore how Landmarks for Families will continue to serve the community as this historic organization prepares for our children’s and families’ futures.
An Ongoing Legacy of Support and Care
For more than two centuries, Landmarks for Families has provided critical care and resources to children and families in need.
“We’re best known for our foster care services,” Hardin explained. “However, after taking a comprehensive view to evaluate our place in the community, we clearly understood that Landmarks for Families’ work goes beyond that. “
“We offer coaching, training, family support and counseling. And this work is centered around four key areas: family education, preservation, residential care and reunification.”
Through war, social change and legal actions, Landmarks for Families has evolved alongside the community it serves. The same can be seen within child welfare as a whole. In recent years, we have witnessed tremendous change that has been a long time coming.
“We realized that we were more than a youth development center,” Hardin noted. “We’re helping families stay together and providing services that meet them where they are.”
Meeting Changes in Child Welfare Policy
One of the most significant shifts in the child welfare policy that Hardin highlighted is the impact of the Michelle H. v. McMaster lawsuit. Since hitting the courts, this lawsuit has brought much-needed attention to the systemic challenges within the child welfare system in South Carolina.
“It took this lawsuit to really create change,” Beverly explained. The federal Family First Prevention Services Act has also driven new standards in care, encouraging a focus on prevention and keeping families together.
These legal and legislative developments have directly influenced the way Landmarks for Families operates. “South Carolina’s system has stopped taking kids out of homes at the first pass,” Hardin said. “Instead, we are making a concerted effort to go into homes and ask families how we can help them so the family can avoid being disrupted.”
This philosophy — “Prevention when we can, safety when we must and support, always.” — echoes Landmarks for Families’ departure from traditional child welfare models, where children have historically been removed from their homes for their safety. Now, the focus is on providing the resources and support families need to stay together whenever possible.
The rebranding of Carolina Youth Development Center to Landmarks for Families was a natural extension of these changes.
“Once we realized how deep our commitment was to this new direction—helping families stay together—we knew that it was time for a change,” Hardin explained. “We needed to modernize our agency’s perception and footprint to reflect going forward in this way.”
Looking Ahead: The Changemakers Luncheon and Beyond
As Landmarks for Families continues to grow, the organization is excited to host its second annual Changemakers Luncheon on Sept. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Francis Marion Hotel.
The luncheon is an opportunity for community leaders to learn more about Landmarks for Families’ mission, the child welfare challenges we face, and how the community can get involved in creating positive change.
This year’s event will feature David Hansell, senior vice president from Casey Family Programs, as the keynote speaker. Hansell will share insights into the history of the child welfare system, both nationally and locally, and discuss best practices for moving forward together as a community.
In addition to the luncheon, Landmarks for Families has several other events on the horizon, including the Golf Classic (Oct. 7, 2024) at Seabrook Island and A Night For the Children Gala (March 6, 2025). These events provide vital support for the organization’s programs and services, ensuring that Landmarks for Families can continue to meet the needs of the children and families it serves.
Building a Stronger Future Together
For families experiencing challenges, we offer this reassurance: “Agencies like ours are focused on meeting your family where you are to help you overcome challenges and promote your well-being. Our team of success coaches is here to help families navigate through these tough times.”
“Every child is a story yet to unfold. You never know what someone is going to become until you give them the potential to become it.”
On a broader note, 2024 is an election year, and it is more important than ever that compassion and understanding leads our lives.
“It’s a really important time in our nation — it’s an election year, and our votes really do matter. The more people think about how casting their vote has the potential to benefit our children and families, the better we all are. Whether it’s a national vote or a more grassroots decision, we each make a difference.”
“Taking a stand and saying, ‘Our kids matter to us. Our families matter to us…’ I want to encourage people to know they have a voice, and this is a good time to think about how we are using our voices – and our votes – to make a difference.”
With a continued commitment to empowering families, fostering resilience and building stronger communities, our organization is ready to lead the way toward a better tomorrow for South Carolina’s children.
To join us in this, please consider attending our Changemaker Luncheon. You can learn more about this upcoming event and purchase tickets now at landmarksforfamilies.org/events/changemakers-luncheon.
If you are interested in learning more about Landmarks for Families and their programs, please visit their website for more information on how you can get involved or find support. Let’s continue to work together to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.
Landmarks for Families Is Here for You
With more than 230 years of experience supporting our nation’s children and families, Landmarks for Families is equipped to lead your child or family through life’s challenges. Whether on-site or in-home, our compassionate team is ready to meet you where you are with the services you need. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and speak with a member of our team.
