🎄🍬 Warning: Serious gingerbread creativity ahead! 🍬🎄

Earlier this week, the Charles Lea Center gym was filled with frosting, laughter, and nonstop fun during our Gingerbread House Decorating Contest! Sponsored by the CLC’s Your Voice Your Choice advocacy council, this incredible morning brought together individuals served and staff for some friendly competition and loads of holiday cheer.
From candy-covered rooftops to wildly imaginative designs, the creativity on display was next-level And yes, we even crowned some winners! And it wasn’t easy!🏆🍭
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event so sweet and memorable. These photos say it all! 💚✨ 💚

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #gingerbreadhousecontest #yourvoiceyourchoice #holidayfun #sweetmemories 💚🎉🍪
4 months ago, Charles Lea Center
girl decorating
group decorating houses
group decorating
woman decorating a gingerbread houes
winning teams
gingerbread house
group of four
group celebrating
🎄❤️ Merry Christmas from the Charles Lea Center! 💚🎄

Today we celebrate the magic of the season with grateful hearts and joyful moments. We are so thankful for the individuals we support, our most dedicated CLC team, families, and community who make this time of year so special.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, and holiday cheer! ❤️💚✨

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #MerryChristmas #themagicoftheseason #gratefulhearts #holiidayjoy 🎄❤️💚
4 months ago, Charles Lea Center
a man and a woman
It wouldn’t be the holidays without the annual CLC Christmas card! 🎄✨
Each year, our good-sport CEO, Jerry Bernard, gladly takes the spotlight - proving that holiday cheer pairs perfectly with a great sense of humor. We love having a little fun with this tradition, and we couldn’t do it without the creativity of Ali Rogers at Action Printing, who brought our vision to life.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us! 💚🎅💚

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #ChristmasCard #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays!
4 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Christmas Card Cover
Christmas Card  interior
💚 Community is stronger when we serve together.

A group of individuals from the Charles Lea Center recently volunteered at FoodShare Spartanburg, helping support our neighbors and give back to the community we love and call home.

This season reminds us how important it is to come together, share kindness, and make a difference wherever we can. We’re so proud of our team for living out the spirit of service and community every day. ✨

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #spiritoftheseason #givingback #foodsharespartanburg💚
4 months ago, Charles Lea Center
men in front of a truck
people wot boxes
overhead view of people
At the Charles Lea Center, our Case Management Department proudly supports more than 1,300 individuals across the Upstate of South Carolina, most of whom live in their communities alongside their families. Caring for a loved one with differing support needs can be challenging, and for many of the people we support, the holidays would look very different without the kindness of others.

That’s why the Charles Lea Center Angel Tree is so special. Each year, the Angel Tree supports individuals receiving Case Management services who need a little extra help during the holiday season. This year, our Angel Tree is helping to bring joy to 96 individuals through the gift of thoughtful, meaningful presents.
Because of the incredible generosity of our CLC staff, community members, and the Charles Lea Center Foundation, we were able to share the true magic of Christmas, one act of kindness at a time. Thank you! 💚💚💚
4 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Christmas Tree
We’re starting to feel extra festive around here! 🎄✨
From cozy decorations in our offices to getting out in the community and soaking up the sights, sounds, and smiles of the season, we’re loving every merry moment. ❤️🎅

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #holidayinthecommunity #festivevibes #spreadingsmiles
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Two people posing with santa
Women beside a Christmas Tree
Man with Santa Claus
Lady on a train
Door decorated like a snowman
Who needs warm weather to have a great Holiday Walk? 🎅🎶 Not us!
Cooler temperatures brought us inside, but the joy and energy were stronger than ever! 🎄💫
Our WeCare Health & Wellness Clinic hosted the celebration in the gym where our day programs enjoyed yummy (& healthy) treats, gveaways (for receiving services and staff) and walked through the halls of the CLC.
 We kept our bodies moving and filled the space with holiday cheer! ✨

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #CLCholidaywalk #holidayspirit #activeliving
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Woman Walking
group walking
man walking
Phil at tree
Man and woman with a tshirt
Individual an dstaff
two woman
man with banana
Man and woman
two women
🎳 STRIKE!
Individuals who receive services at the Charles Lea Center recently had an amazing time participating in bowling at the Special Olympics!

Their smiles were big, their spirits were high, and their scores were pretty impressive too! 😄👏
We are so proud of their hard work, incredible sportsmanship, and the joy they brought to the lanes. Moments like these remind us why inclusion, opportunity, and community matter so much. And we also need to give a shout out to our dedicated staff who make sure it all happens. 💚
Congratulations to all our bowlers … you did GREAT! 🎉🎳

#weareharleslea #60yearsofcaring #SpecialOlympics #InclusionMatters #CLCStrong #BowlersInAction
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
CLC bowler 1
bowler2
bowler with ribbon
CLC Bowler3
CLC Bowler6
CLC Bowler 7
We had an absolute blast spreading Christmas cheer Friday morning at the Gettys D. Broome High School Senior Citizens Christmas Concert! 🎄✨

What a joyful and festive good time! Our crew hit the stage with all the energy and sparkle of the season, and we were right there cheering them on every step of the way as they performed the Twelve Days of Christmas! Their bright smiles said it all and it was truly a magical experience we’ll cherish.

A big, heartfelt THANK YOU to Broome High School and Spartanburg School District 3 for inviting us to be part of such a special celebration. Your kindness and holiday spirit mean the world! 💚

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcharing #christmasconcert #broomehighschool #spartanburgschooldistric3
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Group pf individua;ls at concert
Group of CLC singers
man singing
group waling off stage
Singer smiling
Singer with snacles
CLC Groups  in Audience
🎄It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here and we’re loving every twinkling minute! ✨

This month we’re celebrating joy, connection, and the incredible people with disabilities who make our community shine even brighter.
There’s real magic in the season … and we’re soaking it all in. ❄️❤️
Wishing you warmth, welcome & wonder all December long! 💚

#WeAreCharlesLea #60YearsOfCaring #ChristmasMagic
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Man decorating tree
woman decorating tree
Christmas tree
Man decorating tree
man in wheelchair decorating treee
Happy Thanksgiving from the Charles Lea Center!🦃
Today, we pause with full hearts to give thanks for the incredible people who make our mission possible which includes those we support, our dedicated staff, families, and the community that stands with us every day.
Thank you for being part of our CLC family!
Wishing you a holiday filled with love and gratitude. 🍁
We are thankful for you.💚

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcharing #Thanksgiving #thankfulheart
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
man holding turkey he crafted
🌿 Exciting things are happening at the CLC Nature Preserve at Lake Blalock! 🌅

Every week brings new progress, and we are thrilled to see this beautiful space becoming a reality right before our eyes.
We cannot wait until it’s complete and we’re even more excited for the meaningful experiences this space will offer to the people we support as well as the Spartanburg community.
Stay tuned … the best is yet to come. 💚🌳💚

#WeareCharleLea #60yearsofcaring #CLCCommunity #CLCOutdoors #LakeBlalock #NaturePreserve #ProgressUpdate #ComingSoon
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
view of lake
View of work trucks at a constuction site
constuction site
construction site
construction site
construction site
construction site
💎 Denim & Diamonds Homecoming Dance 💎

What a sparkling morning at the CLC! 🤠✨ Our Denim & Diamonds Homecoming Dance was filled with smiles, music, dancing, and so much joy.
This event brought everyone together to celebrate in true CLC style complete with cowboy hats for our Homecoming Kings and Queens, plenty of refreshments, and amazing volunteer support.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff who went above and beyond to make the space shine and ensure every detail was perfect. Your hard work and spirit made this event such a success!
It’s moments like these that truly show what makes the Charles Lea Center so special and how we try to put a little fun, community, and care in everything we do. 💚

#WeareCharleslea #60yearsofcaring #DenimAndDiamonds #HomecomingDance #CLCFamily #WhatMakesCLCShine
5 months ago, Charles Lea Center
man celebrating
happy man
women gropu shot
woman smiling
woman with man
woman smiling
man and woman
Four Men
two women
two women
🎉💚 What a celebration! 💚🎉

Our Annual Meeting was truly special this year as we celebrated 60 years of caring, innovation, and inspiration! ✨

We were honored to have South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette join us for the occasion! Thank you for celebrating with us! 🙌

A huge congratulations to our award winners:
🏆 Suann Mason, recipient of the Lee S. Poole Award
👏 Paul Pruitt, honored with the You Made a Difference Award

We’re so proud of the many people we serve who participated in the program as their voices and talents made the day shine even brighter! 🌟

And of course, a big THANK YOU to our amazing community partners and everyone who joined us for a wonderful luncheon and celebration. Here’s to 60 years of making a difference and to many more ahead! 💚💫💚

#WeareCharlesLea #60YearsOfCaring #CommunityStrong #InspirationInAction #TogetherWeThrive
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Lt Gov speaking
3 people in a presentation
awards presentation
overall evet pix
award presentation
Indivifual at annual mtf
DSP Staff
case management
people at a podium
Spooky season looks good on us! 👻
Halloween is one of our favorite days at the Charles Lea Center, and our staff and individuals served didn’t disappoint. Costumes, creativity, and smiles everywhere!
We sure know how to make Halloween spook-tacular! 🎃

#weareCharesLea #60yearsofcaring #HalloweenFun #SpookySeason #HappyHalloween!
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
Halloween costumes
🎤✨ We’ve Got Talent, and lots of it! 🎶💃🕺

Our annual Talent Show was a showstopper full of music, dancing, and big smiles! The amazing men and women who performed worked so hard to bring their acts to life — and wow, did they shine! 🌟

A huge shoutout to our dedicated staff who made every detail perfect and to The Bridge Church of the Carolinas for your incredible assistance and sharing your beautiful space with us. 💚

It was a day to remember full of laughter, applause, and pure joy!

#WeAreCharlesLea #TheCharlesLeaDifference #60yearsofcariing #WeHaveTalent #TalentShow #CLCProud
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Man dancing
girl presentation
men fist bump
man dancing
man singing
man finished singing
man singing
lady with gift
man and women taking a picture
man smiling
🎉 Today, we’re celebrating us! 🎉

On this date in 1971, the Charles Lea Center officially opened its doors with a community-wide celebration that marked the beginning of a legacy built on care, innovation, and inspiration.

At that time, the CLC served as a comprehensive hub for evaluation, education, treatment, and rehabilitation for children and adults with disabilities. With 89 staff members, an operating budget of $543,000, and services reaching over 1,700 people, it was a remarkable start!

During the dedication ceremony, South Carolina Governor John West shared words that still inspire us today:

“Hopefully the time is here when we need not tell a child that his turn for opportunity must await until there is a place for him… I hope that we can remove the words despair and frustration and replace them with words of hope and promise.”

Since that day, the Charles Lea Center has continued to grow by expanding both the depth and reach of our services to three states and more than 3000 people served.. We are proud of how far we’ve come and deeply grateful for the people, past and present, who have made it all possible. 💚 💚 💚

#wearecharleslea #60yearsofcaring #CharlesLeaCenter #Celebrating60Years #HopeAndPromise #CommunityStrong
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
newspaper
plaque
aerial of clcl
☀️ What a beautiful morning to get outside and get moving! 💚

Our WeCare Health & Wellness Clinic staff and individuals who receive services at the Charles Lea Center enjoyed a fun walk along the Mary Black Rail Trail, soaking up the sunshine, fresh air, and terrific company. 🏃‍♀️🚶‍♂️
There’s nothing like a little exercise and laughter to make a good day GREAT! 🌿✨

#weareCharlesLea #60yearsofcaring #GetOutside #HealthyLiving #WeLoveOurCommunity!
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
woman walking
Man walking on the Rail Trail
Man walking on the Rail Trail
💚 Happy National Case Management Week! 💚

This week, we celebrate the incredible Case Managers at the Charles Lea Center who are compassionate professionals that dedicate their time, hearts, and expertise to guiding journeys and changing lives. 🌟
Our Case Managers go above and beyond to help individuals navigate challenges, coordinate care, and connect with the right resources to support their medical, social, and financial needs. Their commitment ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for everything you do! Your impact reaches far beyond what words can express! 💚👏 💚

#WeareCharlesLea #60yearsofcaring #NationalCaseManagementWeek #ThankYou #TeamCLC #CompassionInAction #CaseManagementWeek2025
6 months ago, Pam Prevatte
Group shot of case managers
🍂 Nothing says fall like a trip to Strawberry Hill! 🍓✨

We recently enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, exploring and making the most of the season. There’s nothing better than fresh air, friendly faces, and a community that welcomes everyone with open arms.

#WeareCharleslea #60daysofcaring #CommunityConnections #FallFun #StrawberryHill #InclusionInAction #BeautifulFallDaysaretheBest!
6 months ago, Charles Lea Center
Group of men and women at Strawberry Hill
People outside at Strawberry Hill