Children's Trust of South Carolina

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

Yesterday, we closed out the Building Hope for Children Conference with learning and connection 🩵

From conversations about family wellness, lived expertise and helping children move from surviving to thriving, to Chan Hellman’s inspiring closing keynote on the strategic power of hope, we were reminded that hope is a mindset that moves us toward action.

A huge thank you to all of our attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and staff for making this conference such a meaningful experience. Your participation, expertise and commitment to children and families made this our best conference yet!

We hope you all are encouraged and affirmed in the importance of the work you do every day 💗

08/20/2026

Part of what makes the Building Hope for Children Conference special is being able to make connections and find resources.

Thank you to our exhibitors for helping do just that! 🩵

08/20/2026

Thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping make the Building Hope for Children Conference possible! 🩵

Foster America
Palmetto Citizens Foundation
Publix Charities
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Founders Federal Credit Union
Prisma Health
Patrick Family Foundation
First Choice, Select Health of South Carolina
TD Bank
South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement
McLeod Health
ABS Kids
Omni Family Institute

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Day Two: Learning, Connection and Hope 🩵

Today, the Building Hope for Children Conference has been filled with meaningful conversations, practical strategies and opportunities to connect across disciplines—all with a shared focus on strengthening outcomes for children and families.

The morning’s breakout sessions explored:

- Trauma-informed systems
- Sustainable partnerships between child welfare and home visiting
- Building resilient responders
- Family reunification and recovery
- The power of “good enough” parenting and family life

We also overheard conversations about:

- The impact of child abuse and neglect on children’s relationships
- Turning strategy into practice
- Navigating leadership, transition and change
- Building sustainable Family Resource Centers
- Connecting families to community resources

Coffee and exhibitor breaks created valuable time to connect, share ideas and build relationships across organizations.

At lunch, Mister Stu Perry brought energy and humor to the room, sharing lessons from his work as a clinical therapist with children others had labeled “bad”—and the powerful leadership lessons those experiences taught him.

Day two is a reminder that hope is built when we bring people, ideas and systems together.

What's been your favorite part of the day so far? 💙