History and Purpose

Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Inc. (LOR), began when the Founder, Lynn Young was serving as a Guardian Ad Litem in the court system speaking for the rights of all children who had been abused or abandoned.  After seeing the dire situations, the children were in, she formulated the idea on how to help these children reclaim their dignity, self-esteem and find encouragement.

The court system of South Carolina took weeks to process a child and to find a proper place for these children who came without their necessities to live.  These children were not only forced to deal with both the emotional turmoil of being removed from their homes but were also left without any clothing, toiletries, or school supplies.

In 2003, Lynn began LOR in her home and then moved to a storage facility. She gradually built a nonprofit, that became an official 501c3 in 2007, which incorporates all of the Lowcountry. LOR now continues up the I-26 corridor to Columbia, South Carolina, and the surrounding counties. In 2013, LOR expanded, and a Distribution Center was built to help facilitate the large inventory and distribution of this inventory to the children of every county. LOR is the resource hub of basic necessities for all Title One Schools and their “Just In Case Closets,100+ agencies serving children, all Department of Social Services, all foster care parents and all children’s shelters. LOR has opened their second facility in Columbia, South Carolina, called Midlands Orphan Relief.

LOR and MOR are proud to say that both agencies have a small staff to keep all expenses low and that 83% of all monies go to program expenses for the children. Only 17% goes to non-program expenses.  LOR also provides amazing, annual events for the children served which are Beach Day and Make a Child Happy Day. It is all thanks to our supporters that we are able to give these children a few days away from their troubles.  Over 41,000 children have been served since 2007. LOR and MOR believe that all children deserve to be protected, loved, and nurtured.

Lynn Young, Founder of LOR and recipient of the Order of the Palmetto.
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