Religion

Twitter

The Bible Chapel officially opens its state-of-the-art facility for children with a variety of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs.

On Saturday, September 12, The Bible Chapel opens its brand-new, 15,000-square-foot education wing, which includes three fully adaptive classrooms that cater to the sensory, developmental and mobility needs of children with special needs. Funded by The Bible Chapel’s ‘Beyond These Walls’ capital campaign, which in part seeks to meet the needs of Pittsburgh area communities, the ultramodern facility exceeds the standards set by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and provides a world-class safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for children with special needs along with their families.

“Historically, families of children with special needs have a very difficult time participating in activities that are routine for other families, like attending church services,” said Jaclyn Stottlemyer, The Bible Chapel’s Special Needs Ministry Director. “The accommodations and programming for these children tend to be minimal. At The Bible Chapel, we are changing that. Children with special needs have a place here where they can learn and grow on their own level, and their parents can attend services without worry.”

Features in the new special needs facility include flooring that supports children with balance and motor challenges, lighting that calms children with emotional challenges, furnishings that accommodate various disabilities, interactive technologies that address various learning styles, and even a new parking lot that provides ample room for entering and exiting the building.

Beyond its attention to infrastructure and design, The Bible Chapel’s Special Needs Ministry also offers tailored programming for children with special needs and their families. These programs are staffed with trained volunteers, and include classes and care during weekend worship services and Wednesday evenings as well as free respite events quarterly. Open to the community, respites invite children with special needs and their siblings for a few hours of fun and developmentally-appropriate activities while their parents enjoy some free time to run errands or relax.

The Special Needs Ministry has grown to 39 trained volunteers supporting 30 children and their families during weekend services.

The Bible Chapel is a non-denominational Bible church with over 3,500 attendees. Its five campuses are located in the Pittsburgh area, in McMurray, Robinson, Washington, Wilkinsburg, and online.

For more information on The Bible Chapel, its various campuses, programs and current events, visit biblechapel.org.

• < Prev
• Next >