ALLENDALE/BARNWELL, S.C. --- Another sign of the times, a state center for special needs children is closed. It's in Allendale and it serves over 20 children from our area. We show you how you can help bring this much-needed facility back.
16-month-old Kamarien Williams certainly is one cool dude. But his mom Twillian Aldrich doesn't think it's cool Allendale's special needs childcare facility is closed.
"Kamarien had really started learning a lot of stuff at the center," says Twillian. "They helped him walk. He had speech therapy (there)."
Born with a facial defect, that's big strides for the little guy. But, with no money on the table, the strides taking a step back. "I work with him at home," says his mom. "We read, we play, but it's that bond he had with the other kids at the center."
"Professionally, this is the hardest thing I've ever done," says Bob Jones. He's the Executive Director of the Barnwell/Allendale Disabilities and Special Needs Board. He uses this motto: enhancing lives through choice. But now, some of those choices are gone.
"It's hurting the children, it's hurting the families, it's hurting a lot of people," says Bob.
People like Twillian and Kamarien. "Because of his special feeding... now, it's hard to find someone to watch him in the daytime, so I can go to work," says Twillian.
Bob is searching for money and you can help to get the kids back on the playground at the Allendale center. "I'm optimistic, but cautiously so. It's a long shot, but we'll do everything we can," says Bob.
A little bit can go a long way to help all the kids who need it the most. "That was the only thing these kids have around here, and it's gone," says Twillian. "It's gone and that's sad."
Another problem for these parents is finding the services they need in the rural area they live in. There are services available, but they are not as extensive as the services in the Augusta area.
Bob adds--he is going to have to cut the hours his board in Barnwell is open on Friday's by 2 hours. He says, the reality of the situation is, with more cuts there will be layoffs.