The Children’s Relief Fund is seeking to link families in our area with appropriate agencies based on their own personal needs. These organizations work in conjunction with The Children’s Relief Fund to provide our special needs community with the appropriate tools to live meaningful, productive lives.
Gift baskets assembled by people with disabilities who are learning or reclaiming the skills to achieve their full potential. Additionally, Trapper, Aunt Laurie's golden retriever therapy dog, visits nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.
11 Barton's Run, Bluffton 29910
843-415-8230
Provides support and training for families and individuals living with autism. The organization is expanding opportunities for the autism community in the Lowcountry.
29 Plantation Park Drive, Unit 204, Bluffton 29910
843-706-0831
Instructors that have been specially trained in Autism and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) provide individualized treatment.
29 Plantation Park Drive, Unit 204, Bluffton 29910
843-706-0831
Beaufort County’s public schools have made dramatic progress in recent years, with across-the-board improvements in student achievement and significant savings from more efficient operations.
Standardized test scores have increased for all types of students despite higher poverty rates. Ratings on state and federal accountability measures have improved, high school graduation rates have increased, and district schools, students and teachers have earned numerous state and national honors in both academics and athletics.
Gift baskets assembled by people with disabilities who are learning or reclaiming the skills to achieve their full potential. Additionally, Trapper, Aunt Laurie's golden retriever therapy dog, visits nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.
2900 Mink Point Boulevard, Beaufort, SC 29902
843-322-2300
Services that may be available for eligible individuals include residential services, day programs, waiver services, respite services, job coach services, early intervention services, family support services, Camp Treasure Chest and other camping programs.
100 Clearwater Way, Beaufort 29906
843-255-6290
Provides information, programs, services, multimedia formats, wifi, etc. Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head and St. Helena branches are handicapped accessible as is the Bookmobile. Electronic equipment for blind and low-vision customers. Large print and audio books. Access to materials from the SC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
311 Scott Street, Beaufort 29902
843-255-6430
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies is actively engaged in some areas of South Carolina. In the Lowcountry, there are currently two High School Friendship and one College Friendship Program and a limited Citizen Program running with volunteer support.
Our growing, dedicated Volunteer Board is laying the groundwork for a successful and sustainable future for Best Buddies in South Carolina, but they can’t do it alone. Please join us in helping grow Best Buddies throughout all of South Carolina.
Adult Program: Anne Karwath - anniekmx3@gmail.com
Schools - Kimberly Thorn - kimber2192@icloud.com
General: Anne Hopton-Jones - AnneHoptonJones@bestbuddies.org
Heroes on Horseback is a premier accredited center of PATH, International, focused on providing safe, professional and ethical equine-assisted therapeutic activities for individuals in the Lowcountry with physical, mental or emotional disabilities.
95 Stillwell Rd., Bluffton 29910
843-757-5607
Hopeful Horizons is a child advocacy, domestic violence, and rape crisis center serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper and Allendale counties. Serves victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault through advocacy services, case management, legal services, counseling and therapy, as well as various prevention and outreach programs designed to stop and prevent these abuses from happening in our community.
1212 Charles St., Beaufort 29902
843-524-2256
CJ Akins | 843-379-6155
Ignite the Senses is a sensory gym for ALL kids. Yoga/Fitness and music classes as well as birthday parties, support groups and special needs events are also provided. Their motto is: "It's OK to be DIFFERENT."
163 Bluffton Road, Suite C1, Bluffton 29910
The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all ages.
20 Wilborn Rd HHI SC 29926
843-681-7273
Our goals are to promote optimal developmental outcomes through awareness of autism and individualized support services. We stress the importance of attaining the earliest possible screening, diagnostics and intervention of children from ages zero to 6. We serve all children, adults, and families facing the challenges of living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Since the Lowcountry Autism Foundation does not charge for the high quality autism services it provides, families are asked to support LAF in the community, help with awareness and when possible, assist with LAF events.
MUSC-LAF, MSC 561
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Lowcountry Autism Foundation
135 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
843-876-0415
Services offered include brain boosters, baseline memory screening, Connections classes, Compass Day Program, caregiver resources and support.
117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head 29926
843-842-6688
Osprey Village is working to develop a "neighborhood with a purpose" to provide housing and support services to local adults with developmental difficulties and their aging caregivers. Osprey Village is a Qualified Service Provider with SC DDSN and currently provides Respite Care and Employment Support Services in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Property recently acquired in Okatie is the site of planned construction of a 25 acre neighborhood scheduled to begin in 2019.
2600 Main St., Unit 101, Hilton Head 29926
843-422-6099
Connect children with autism and their families in Bluffton and surrounding areas with information, support, therapeutic tools and community involvement.
33 Isle of Palms East, Bluffton 29910
843-540-5086
Provides functional vocational activities and inclusive, community based social opportunities for adults with disabilities. 3 days of weekly programming is currently provided.
P.O. Box 1474, Bluffton 29910
423-760-2103
Laurin Rivers | 423- 760-2103
Dayna Dehlinger | 313-300-4758
Carol Bartholomew | 843-384-1315
Programs, structure and services for adults who live with intellectual disabilities. PEP is licensed by the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs as an Adult Activity Center.
10 Oak Park Drive, Building C, Hilton Head 29926
843-681-8413 (Hilton Head)
843-837-8415 (Bluffton)
Dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs through the science of Applied Behavior Analysis.
178 Marshellen Dr., Beaufort 29902
843-379-5655 I Samantha Ruffner
A fully accredited community training facility providing rehabilitation serviced for individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. The Center's reach extends to more than 29 southeast Georgia counties and is currently expanding its services to areas of South Carolina.
1141 Cornell Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406
912-236-4473
To enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing Special Olympics sports and recreation as well as programs which facilitate social interaction. We believe everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle.
SOAR is committed to supporting people with disabilities in their pursuit to live, play, and participate in the community. We do so by partnering with individuals, families, and local agencies to explore recreation and social opportunities.
Special Recreation organizes and oversees Special Olympic programs which include: tennis, equestrian, bowling, swimming, bocce and cheerleading. This new program will also be developing opportunities for social activities after school, on weekends and throughout the summer for special needs people of all ages.
Provides activities and recreation for special needs people throughout the Lowcountry.
800 Main St., Hilton Head 29926
843-422-5747
Kathy Cramer
Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence and fulfillment --on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. Here's a slideshow showing the full spectrum of our activities.
STARS is an independent organization that is staffed entirely by volunteers with established relationships with SOAR, an organization in Bluffton and Hilton Head that fosters the Special Olympics and other activities. STARS will continue its sponsorship of the “Hammerhead Sharks,” a swim team that trains at the Beaufort YMCA, that competes at local, regional and at the State level. In the future, STARS may expand its Special Olympics support by establishing teams in other disciplines.
STARS held our first event in September 2018, by hosting a Yoga Class at Artizen Yoga of Beaufort. In October, STARS held a fishing event at Habersham for our STARS friends. In January 2018, STARS held their kickoff Dance, hosted by the Low Country Shaggers, Tommy & Sheri O’Brien, at the Charles Lind Brown Activity Center.
It is a goal to involve community members who volunteer and ultimately run the various special times and recreational activities under the supervision of STARS. STARS is very fortunate to have such a warm, caring and giving community in the Beaufort area that, we believe, will step up and volunteer for our programs that will greatly enhance the lives of locals with “Special Needs.” If you would like to volunteer, donate or would like to host a recreational service for STARS, please see our contact infomration below.
Patricia Jaudon
Phone: 912-224-6970
email: starsbeaufortsc@gmail.com
Facebook: “STARS Special Times and Recreation"
Welcome to The Sandbox where we’ve been successfully disguising learning as play since opening our doors in 2005. Through the generous support of our volunteers, donors and sponsors— The Sandbox has become one of Hilton Head Island’s premiere family destinations having welcomed more than 300,000 neighbors and visitors over the years. Designed to allow kids to play freely while discovering their surroundings—the museum is the ideal place to let your little one to lead the way!
While our outreach has expanded our primary goal remains: positively impact the lives of young children through age-appropriate play and inspire memorable moments for children and families in the process. Our child-friendly environment is as safe as it is fun—a place where messes are evidence of creativity, where new friends are just around the corner and where exploring new things doesn’t feel quite so scary.
Our Mission:
To provide inclusive and safe environments for children to learn and explore with their peers and caregivers through hands-on discovery and imaginative play that cultivates their physical, social and cognitive development.
18A Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843-842-7645
Services and resources to help people with all types of disabilities live independently within the community. Core services include information and referral, independent living skills, intuitional transition, peer support, advocacy and outreach.
2414 N. Jeffries Road, Walterboro 29488
843-538-1600