Adaptive Movement Center opening in New Philadelphia
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 14, 2023) – There’s a new facility downtown where people with special needs can hang out and be themselves.
The Lacey PAC Adaptive Movement Center opens Saturday at 10 am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Founder and CEO Lacey Herbert invites everyone to come check out the facility at 117 South Broadway that will offer programs and activities tailored to each participant’s needs in a supportive and inclusive environment.
“Somewhere our special needs community can be comfortable and have their own spot that they can go to that they don’t have to adapt to us typical people and this typical world that we live in. It’s a safe place that’s for them that is run by them and suited for them and their safety needs and with all the supplies that they would need.”
Herbert realized there was a need for a space like this in our community after her son Cash was diagnosed with autism. She started offering sensory movement classes at her dance studio and discovered that other families were dealing with similar challenges.
“And so now we’re hoping that this will be a clubhouse where they can come comfortably from age 3 for the rest of their life, build long-lasting relationships and have peers of their own just like us typical people do and kind help them throughout their life along with the parents, them building relationships.”
Herbert didn’t expect to open the new center for at least five years but says the community was so supportive that they reached their fundraising goal early.
“Rainbow Connection was our first one. They were instantly ready to donate, and they bought the $25,000 worth of equipment, and that was last year that they purchased it. And then ProVia, they whole-heartedly were ready to jump on board, and they came on board with $60,000.
Donations are still needed to help with the non-profit center’s operating expenses and can be made online at amccenter.org. Herbert says they’re also looking for volunteers to lead activities there.