Big Changes in Dorchester and Berkeley Counties

In coordination with the opening of their new Berkeley Center, which they unveiled during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 27, 2024, Children in Crisis announced a rebranding of their name and logo. The new location would have added a second DBA and a third name for the organization, necessitating the rebranding.

On Thursday, September 26, 2024 during the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event hosted at their Dorchester location, they officially announced the change to a single name to honor the woman whose 20 years of service shaped the Center into what it is today. The organization is now proudly known as the Kay Phillips Child Advocacy Center.

This change was championed by members of both the Children in Crisis Board of Directors and Center Staff and was unanimously approved at the March Board of Directors meeting. Board President Tony Pope, says, “The center has grown into what it is today because of Dr. Phillips’ hard work and dedication to improving the lives of children and families in our communities, and we are elated to announce this change.”

As a leader in the child welfare community, Dr. Phillips has brought about substantial changes in her 20-year tenure at Children in Crisis, which provides treatment at no cost for child abuse victims and their families in Dorchester and Berkeley counties, and where she has orchestrated growth of the organization, which now serves over 1,600 clients annually.

The following day, they unveiled their new Berkeley Center, located in Stoney Landing Executive Park in Moncks Corner! This new center will allow the Kay Phillips Child Advocacy Center the opportunity to serve Berkeley County clients more efficiently, and to ease the burden of having to travel to Summerville to receive services.

This center would not be possible if not for the Cumbie Family, who generously donated a 1.64 acre lot in honor of their parents, the late John and Bonnie Cumbie; and True Homes Builders, who chose Kay Phillips Child Advocacy Center to be the recipient of a brand new building for the center, which is equivalent to the size of a five-bedroom home. They also gave special thanks to Berkeley County Council, and all the generous grantors and donors who provided additional funding, equipment, and support for this project.

Executive Director, Dr. Kay Phillips says, “There are no words to express how grateful we are to both True Homes and the Cumbie Family for their extremely generous gifts to our Center. We have been serving Berkeley County clients since opening our doors 20 years ago, and to finally have a location in Berkeley County for us to be able to better meet the needs of the children and families that we serve, is just amazing.”

The Kay Phillips Child Advocacy Center provides a coordinated, evidence-based response to child abuse that reduces trauma and provides treatment for children and families in a safe, child-focused environment. Their vision is to create communities in which children and families live free from abuse and are free to reach their full potential. Learn more at kayphillipscac.org.