Pendleton Place was established as an emergency foster care shelter by the Junior League of Greenville in 1975, after members learned that children were spending the night in jail cells due to lack of foster placements. Now celebrating its 50th year, the nonprofit provides a range of programs supporting youth, young adults and their families.
Its around-the-clock residential services include Smith House, founded in 1986 to provide a home for teenage girls in foster care, and an emergency youth shelter for youth aged 12 to 21 experiencing homelessness. Other key homelessness programs include a drop-in center, street outreach, transitional living and rapid rehousing.
Nancy Shepard, associate executive director, said Pendleton Place has evolved over the years, striving to meet changing community needs and identify services not being met by other providers.
Staff touring the new FRC while under construction.“Smith House is our legacy program, serving up to 10 older teens in foster care. We help them learn independent living skills, get a driver’s license and employment, but also give them time to be teenagers and explore things they are passionate about,” Shepard said. “Our other programs serve youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. For example, when a family is evicted, there aren’t many options for them to stay together, so our minor hall at the shelter can support those teens while families navigate next steps.”
Pendleton Place’s newest initiative, Project HOMES — Housing, Opportunities, Means, Empowerment and Support — provides wraparound services for youth aged 12-21 at risk of homelessness. It began last year with a grant targeting homelessness prevention in response to overwhelming needs observed in the drop-in center and street outreach program. It builds on the nonprofit’s expertise and connections to reach youth and their families before they may need shelter or other crisis services.
“We’re really proud of this program. We identified a need, listened to the voices of youth and community stakeholders, and stepped up to fill the gap,” Shepard said. “Since last May, we’ve served 70 families with items such as clothing, food and resource navigation. Our goal is to help them find the best path for their family based on their strengths and needs.”
This spring, Project HOMES will relocate to a new building across the street from Pendleton Place’s main facility.
Youth Resource Center participant getting a hair cut during drop-in.“The new Family Resource Center will be a community hub for resource navigation for young people and their parents or kinship caregivers,” Shepard said. “We offer case management, Triple P parenting classes and are an SC Thrive hub for accessing benefits, and providing support and stability to help them avoid homelessness. We’re excited to be able to offer these services in an open, welcoming setting.”
The Community Foundation of Greenville awarded a 2024 Capacity Building Grant for Pendleton Place to strengthen its effectiveness in human resources.
“We are very grateful for this opportunity to evaluate our internal processes and capacity related to hiring, onboarding, and staff retention,” Shepard said. “As we begin this new chapter, Pendleton Place is strong and stable and poised to serve the community for the next 50 years.”
Visit cfgreenville.org to learn more about the Community Foundation of Greenville.
