The Augusta Levy Learning Center will hold an open house at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, as a thank you to all those in the community who helped the center following the devastating fire that destroyed Sacred Heart Church on July 7.
The church, owned by Wheeling Housing Authority, had been home to ALLC for 10 years. Immediately following the fire, messages and calls poured into ALLC offering space, and support for the Center and led to the Center finding a new temporary home at 1007 Market St.
Augusta Levy also was able to purchase new equipment such as iPads, computers, SMART Boards and programming materials following a very generous donation from the Martha Parlin Trust.
“Following the fire, we were overwhelmed from the outpouring of support from the community, and we wanted to find a way to thank everyone for their support! The open house will be catered by the Ye Olde Alpha and will allow those who donated or volunteered to see the finished product,” said Development Director Staci Stephen.
“Although, this location is temporary until we find our forever home, it gives the children who attend the center a space to receive therapy, remain safe and remain together while we search for our forever home. We are so grateful for all the community support and to all of the people and organizations that have reached out to us to offer us space, supplies, toys and to volunteer. We hope to find Augusta Levy’s permanent home by the end of 2019 and have already begun the search,” she said.
Augusta Levy Learning Center (ALLC) was established in June of 2005. ALLC serves as the first and largest evidence-based autism treatment program in West Virginia. Using methods pioneered and proven by Dr. Lovaas of UCLA, and under the guidance of the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE), ALLC transforms the lives of children with autism by enhancing the language, social, academic and independent living skills of its students through a year-round, intensive, one-on-one educational and therapeutic program. ALLC serves children from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Augusta Levy Learning Center’s mission is to maximize the benefits of best practices and propel children with autism to reach their highest potential.