Lexington’s Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter began as Welcome Home, Inc. in 1972, Lexington’s first. From WWII barracks, it eventually moved into a new building in 1993, named for Nancy K. Perry. An annex and a full-time director followed. The shelter has had three executive directors: Nancy Perry, Gerald Smith (2000-2017), and the current director, Ryan Taylor, who began in 2018.
Taylor, born in Texas and raised in Colorado, moved to South Carolina in 2003, initially uncertain about his career path. He said, “It really was a God movement in my life.” While seeking direction, a pivotal two-hour conversation with a co-worker became a turning point.
He recalled, “I left that conversation and walked down the hallway, and it was the first time I ever heard God’s audible voice. It said, ‘That’s what I want you to do for the rest of your life.’” That conversation inspired him to pursue counseling. He earned an undergraduate degree from USC Aiken and a Master of Counseling from Liberty University, became a Licensed Professional Counselor, and later completed an MBA at the University of South Carolina.
The shelter offers a family-style environment for children in foster care to heal and grow. At present, all clients are referred through DSS. The shelter serves children ages 12 to 19 in foster care. The goal is to help them succeed—find jobs, earn a driver’s license, return to school, graduate, and prepare for independence. Many have faced neglect or abuse, and staff provide support to help them overcome challenges and achieve independence.
Taylor and his staff focus on making a positive impact, even if brief. “We plant the seeds and water them as long as we can. Ultimately, the kids must take responsibility for their own actions.”
Taylor encourages the staff of Nancy K. Perry: “Hang your hat on kids that find success and keep moving forward to help more.” Nancy K. Perry strives to be family-style and works with DSS toward reunification. Upon discharge, children and their families receive six months of aftercare therapy to support stability and progress.
The shelter operates as a business, with 24-hour operations, revenue, and paid staff, balancing its nonprofit mission with the need to support a business that provides vital services to the community.
Since 2017, Perry has been a board-run nonprofit with 12 employees, mostly in direct service. Oversight comes from a nine-member board, with continued accreditation and licensing by the state. Community support is crucial to continuing their mission of serving children and families in many capacities.
Taylor quoted a favorite verse from James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
“That’s what we do here,” he said. “We are called to protect those that can’t protect themselves and keep them from being polluted by the world. Through all our services, we strive to help provide children and families with a better path forward and create positive environments that will impact generations.
When asked about outside hobbies, Taylor responded, “My wife and I have three children, ages 12, 10, and 5. All three are engaged in sports: T-ball, softball, and soccer. That’s what we do.”