The Lowcountry's community effort of advocating for and promoting interagency coordination of services to child victims has a long history.  In 1975, the Junior League of Charleston, Inc. identified, through a community survey, gaps in services available to these children. A failure of community agencies to communicate and cooperate in the best interest of these children was also identified. The Junior League developed a coordinated community response.

In 1988, with the encouragement of the Junior League, the Charleston County Legislative Delegation appointed a committee to study the issue. The committee identified the need for formal coordination of the delivery of services to children at risk in our community and recommended establishing a center for this purpose.  With leadership from The Junior League, a community task force took responsibility for implementing the recommendation, which resulted in the creation in 1989 of the Lowcountry Children's Center, Inc.  The center opened its doors in March 1991 at 1061 King Street. In 2001, the DNLCC was renamed in memory of one of its founders and long-time volunteers and became The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center, Inc.(DNLCC).

Who is Dee Norton?

Dee Holmes Norton, DNLCC co-founder, believed in service to others.  Dee provided a strong and demanding voice for the children of her community and of her state.  She brought her insight, compassion and expectation of what is right into all of her volunteer work on behalf of children.  Her commitment was long term and consistent.  The depth of Dee's beliefs and the scope of her interest were reflected in her actions as a dedicated advocate for children and young people for more than twenty years.  Dee was a teacher, a tutor, a mentor and a volunteer.

In 1975, Dee identified the risk to children created as a result of abuse and neglect as her cause.  Dee served as the Chairman of the Child Advocacy Committee of the Junior League of Charleston, on the board of the Comprehensive Emergency Services and of Children At Risk.  In 1988, she was appointed as co-chair of the community task force that created the Lowcountry Children's Center.  Dee was instrumental in the development of the DNLCC and continued to serve as an active member of the Board of Directors and volunteer until her death in August of 2001.

Much of Dee's work was done behind the scenes but when she believed it necessary she would stand firm and lend her voice in the service of children. Dee valued the children and served them well. She valued and believed in the mission of the DNLCC. Dee's beliefs and values continue to be served as we work together to reduce the incidence and negative impact of child abuse in our community.