As our mission states: St. Joseph Center for Special Learning is committed to educating and supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a Christ-centered environment to reach their maximum potential and to help them lead dignified and meaningful lives.

At SJC, we ensure that serving families is at the heart of everything we do. We promise to address the emotional needs of each person, to provide individual instruction and support plans, to meet occupational/physical/sensory needs, to promote a caring and respectful environment, and to develop life, community and vocational skills. However, despite all of the success we have had in changing lives here at St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, families are still in need of tuition assistance.

Below is a list of families that are currently in need of financial support for the school year. Click on a name to get to know the families that need your help and then donate to the ones that touch your heart.

Elina

I am new to SJC. I previously went SJC’s sister-school, John Paul II Center for Special Learning. I am 8 years old and started at JPII when I was 5. Upon starting school, I was mostly non-verbal. I have learned so much!

It’s so important for me to attend a school such as SJC. SJC is a school that not only nurtures and educates children in a positive way, but also teaches children about Christ. SJC ensures children will learn to love all our similarities and differences because we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. I am so excited to be a part of the SJC family!

Greyson

I am a fun, loving, funny little guy. My parents knew when I was very young that not only was I intelligent, but there was something very special about me. I love colors, numbers, letters, and to sing and dance. I show interest in other languages and have the ability to make anyone smile.

It is important I go to SJC because I deserve a good education, and deserve to be around people that will love and care for me just like my family does. I truly believe I will get all of that and more at SJC.

Joshua

My name is Joshua. I am 5 years old, almost 6. I came to SJC at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

It is very important that I attend school here because I have auditory neuropathy. I can hear, but sound is “muffled” to me and I am nonverbal. My disability also presents very similar to autism.

My parents feel more comfortable having me in a smaller classroom with other children/people that also have special needs. The classwork is focused and tailored to the needs of its students. The ratio of instructors/nurses/aides at SJC is phenomenal. It is also important to my family that I attend SJC due to our religious beliefs. My family already has such good feelings about my education and more!

Levi

I am Levi. I just turned nine and have been attending St. Joseph Center for a year in Mrs. Mahall’s classroom.

I was born with Sturg-Weber Syndrome. This resulted in me having glaucoma in one eye, seizures, and learning delays. I had a hemispherectomy (1/2 of brain removed) at 18 months old because of the severity of seizures. Shortly after the surgery, I ended up in foster care for a year, where I suffered emotional and medical neglect. My maternal grandmother because my foster parent and then adopted me.

Upon relocating from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, I was enrolled in the local school district’s special needs program. It was not a “good fit” to say the least. My grandmother despaired as to what to do next, crying to God for help. St Joseph Center was the answer.

It is “exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20

SJC is the most loving, caring place I have ever been. I have flourished here and I am so thankful to God.

Madison

My name is Madison. I am 9 years old, and have attended SJC since the spring of 2023.

I was born with bi-lateral cataracts and have had 7 eye surgeries. Because of this, I am visually impaired. I also have a global developmental delay which causes me to take longer to reach certain milestones than other children my age. I tried public schools but the teachers and other children did not understand my needs and I was often bullied. Finding SJC is the best thing for me.

When I am not in school, I enjoy playing with slime and my favorite animal is a unicorn.

I am looking forward to being at SJC for a long time and making new friends.

Mason

Hi, my name is Mason. I live in Port Carbon with my Nana and Pop Pop, Janine and Bernie Vigoda. My grandparents are taking care of me since my Mommy, Lindsey Vigoda, passed away. This is my first year at St. Joseph Center for Special Learning. We are members of St. Ambrose Church.

I am at a Kindergarten age at SJC. I have autism spectrum disorder. I don’t speak, but at times will say a word or two. I have improved since I started preschool. My family was concerned that if I attended a public school, I would just be a number instead of an individual. My aunt and uncle attended Catholic school, and my grandparents were very pleased with their learning and support they had there. My family believes SJC is the most appropriate school for me, and that I will blossom with small classrooms and individual help from staff and teachers.