Clubhouse Living has opened a new activity center in Reading dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism through programs focused on independence, friendship, creativity and lifelong learning.
Located at 715 Clinton St., the center officially opened its doors on July 6 after the organization purchased the former factory building on May 6 and completed renovations to prepare the space.
Founded on the belief that everyone deserves opportunities to build meaningful relationships, explore new interests and actively participate in their community, Clubhouse Living offers daily programming designed to encourage personal growth while promoting confidence, social interaction and a sense of belonging.
“Our vision is to create a place where individuals feel valued, supported, and excited to come each day,” Executive Director Stephanie Deibler said. “We want families to know their loved ones have a place where they can learn, laugh, make friends, and experience new opportunities in a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment.”
Programs at the center include social and recreational activities, arts and crafts, music and movement, health and wellness activities, sports, games, themed events and seasonal celebrations.
Activities are offered in four-week sessions, with new classes introduced during each block. The opening session featured 15 classes, including Basketball Skills & Drills, Bocce, Artful Adventure and Paws & Positivity. According to the organization, activities are led by volunteers and scheduled based on feedback from members.
Board Vice President Melissa Kelchner said the organization’s concept may be unique.
“When we had this vision several years ago, we did a lot of research to find something similar and couldn’t find anything that matched our vision,” Kelchner said. “There are great organizations that specialize in sports, music, or dance, but we couldn’t find anywhere that has all these different elements in one place for this community.”
Founder Andrew McElroy said the organization transformed the former factory into a space designed to serve members now and accommodate future growth.
“We were able to purchase this building, which was a former factory in Reading, on May 6 and opened our doors on July 6,” McElroy said. “It’s been a whirlwind of construction and cleaning, but this building gives us plenty of space, both now, and in the future. We have been incredibly fortunate to have received amazing support from our local politicians and community leaders. Now that we are open, our biggest need is the addition of an elevator to our amazing second floor, so we are focused on raising funds for that!”
Clubhouse Living is also inviting families, caregivers, community partners and local organizations to learn more about its programs and mission. The organization said it is seeking partnerships with businesses and community groups that share its commitment to inclusion and accessibility.