JCHAI Breaks Ground on New State-of-the-Art Education Center for Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Autism

The John and Jacqueline E. Swartz Education Center will be an inclusive environment where JCHAI’s members can gain the skills needed to live and work independently

Bryn Mawr, PA, April 18, 2018 –Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI), an organization empowering adults with developmental disabilities and autism to live and work independently, broke ground today on its new Education Center. The John and Jacqueline E. Swartz Education Center, located on the Jewish Federation’s Schwartz campus, will provide an inclusive environment where JCHAI members and non-members can secure the skills needed to live and work independently.

“For the past 30 years, JCHAI has successfully taught adults with developmental disabilities and autism to become a dynamic part of their community,” said Judith Creed, founder of JCHAI. “The new building will allow us to expand our offerings so our Transitions participants, many of whom are still in high school, and other JCHAI members receive the highest-quality services and are able to reach their full potential.”

The new John and Jacqueline E. Swartz Education Center will house JCHAI’s Transitions program as well as other programming, where through training and education, JCHAI provides its members with the skills needed to live and work independently in the larger community. JCHAI’s Transitions program targets young adults with developmental disabilities or autism while they are in high school and before they age out of school programming. This early learning approach to independent living outside of the school system is unique to JCHAI. In this center, JCHAI members will receive educational, social and vocational training, which will open the door to the notion that independent living is within reach, while allowing parents to envision a more fruitful life for their children.

“The Jewish Federation’s Schwartz campus serves as the perfect backdrop for this building and offers a beautiful landscape for JCHAI members to enjoy,” said Cecil Baker, Architect, Cecil Baker + Partners. “When designing the building, we wanted to create a space that offered unobstructed views of the surrounding campus so everyone inside of the building, JCHAI members and staff alike, are able to experience the therapeutic benefits associated with views of nature.”

The new Education Center will include several classroom spaces with smartboards, a teaching kitchen with range, dishwasher, sink and island, and a dining area off to the side of the kitchen where participants can learn social skills like setting a table and hosting a dinner party. The building will undergo construction over the next nine months. Along with educational and social programming spaces, the new building will also include the “HUB” – a JCHAI participant-run coffee shop where members can learn how to independently conduct business by selling coffee and pastries to those utilizing the campus throughout the day.

“We are pleased to be able to welcome JCHAI to our campus and support their mission of empowering adults with developmental disabilities and autism to live and work independently,” said Naomi Adler, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “The new John and Jacqueline E. Swartz Education Center, including the HUB, are great additions to our campus and will provide unique new opportunities for JCHAI members.”

The Education Center is expected to open in early 2019. For more information on JCHAI and its services, please visit www. jchai.org.                                                                            

About JCHAI

Founded in 1987, Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI) empowers adults with developmental disabilities or autism to live and work independently. Through educational, vocational, social and residential services, JCHAI’s experienced staff help create an inclusive environment where adults with disabilities can learn, have fun and live up to their potential. To learn more about JCHAI’s programs and offerings, please visit www.jchai.org or check us out on social on Facebook or Twitter.

Press Contacts

Shari Rosen

Brownstein Group on behalf of JCHAI

Office: 267-238-4132

Cell: 609-230-7561

srosen@brownsteingroup.com

Jen McCullough

Brownstein Group on behalf of JCHAI

Office: 267-236-1009

Cell: 484-678-1064

jmccullough@brownsteingroup.com