Every successful venture begins with a vision—not merely the aspiration to run a business, but the ambition to build one that makes a meaningful impact. For years, the McClellan family sought the ideal spot to establish an Adult Daycare Center in NE Columbia.
After countless searches and persistent online inquiries, Mary discovered that the Urgent Care facility on Hardscrabble Road, where they themselves had been patients for years, was for sale. She promptly contacted the realtor, and the journey began. In 2018, she successfully acquired the property, enlisted an architect, and hired a construction contractor to remodel the building in compliance with DHEC standards. Just as everything appeared to be on track, the onset of Covid-19 brought significant delays to the renovation process and inspections. However, from 2021 to 2022, Mary made strides forward, working with the architect and contractor to bring the vision to life, albeit with numerous unforeseen financial hurdles. Despite these challenges, 3 Generations secured its operating license in 2023.
3 Generations Adult Day Care, LLC is a resilient family-owned business operated by three generations of African American women—a mother, daughter, and granddaughter. They recently marked their second anniversary of delivering exceptional senior care services to families in Blythewood, Elgin, Camden, and Northeast Columbia, an area witnessing rapid growth within the capital city. The center operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, allowing caregivers the flexibility to attend to personal obligations and enjoy peace of mind knowing their loved ones are cared for in a supportive environment.
The matriarch and her family understand the unique needs of each individual. Their care approach is tailored to provide reassurance and comfort, featuring personalized consultations, comprehensive care plans, group activities, therapeutic programs, educational support for caregivers, and a nurturing atmosphere that promotes cognitive engagement. Their services aim to create a community-based environment for adults needing assistance, thereby minimizing the likelihood of unnecessary institutionalization. Additionally, the center enables family caregivers to prioritize their self-care while ensuring their loved ones are safe, engaged with peers, and receiving professional support.
Mary Miller McClellan and her late husband, James D. McClellan, both retired educators from Long Island, New York, relocated to Columbia, Mary’s hometown, years ago. They envisioned a future where their children would inherit wisely, emphasizing the importance of leaving them with enough resources to pursue their passions without enabling complacency.
As Mary wisely states, “If I give my children fish, I feed them for a day; if I teach my children to fish, I feed them for a lifetime.”
With this philosophy, Mary aimed to create lasting opportunities for her family by establishing a business that would empower them economically while positively impacting the community. Given her family’s backgrounds in business and healthcare, it was only natural to channel their inheritance into a legacy venture focused on senior care, an industry projected to grow exponentially due to an aging population.
Each member of the 3 Generations Adult Day Care team brings a skill set of invaluable expertise that drives the success of the business. Mary, a former high school teacher and guidance counselor, holds a Bachelor’s in Education from Benedict College and a Master’s in Counselor Education from Hofstra University. Her daughter, Monica Butler, holds a Degree in Gerontology from Molloy College and is a Certified Dementia Specialist Specialist from the University of South Carolina’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology; while her other daughter, Machele Vallaka, is a seasoned healthcare professional with credentials from Virginia State University and the State University of New York at Old Westbury. The youngest generation, granddaughter Miller Williams-Williams, is a Business Administration graduate from the University of South Carolina…