Founded in 1790, Carolina Youth Development Center is an important part of Charleston’s historic and cultural heritage, a direct descendant of the Charleston Orphan House, America’s first publicly funded orphanage.
Today, CYDC provides programs reaching over 600 children and youth locally each year. We care for young people with very serious problems, including physical and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, and severe emotional disorders.
Of the 600 children we serve, our Big Brothers Big Sisters program provides caring adult role models to 300 local children from single-parent families.
Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) continuously since 1980, CYDC is a funded partner of Trident United Way, and a member of Child Welfare League of America and the South Carolina Association of Children’s Homes and Family Services. Carolina Youth Development Center is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Carolina Youth Development Center is proud to be a member of the 
Blue Ribbon Council, an organization made up of volunteers and representatives from all the non profits in the greater Charleston-area that work daily to prevent and heal those affected by child abuse and neglect.
Carolina Youth Development Center is a 501(c)(3) organization.