Charles Lea Center

11/27/2025

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.💚

11/26/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: William Parrish
Enclave Supervisor | 8 Years of Dedicated Service | Trusted Mentor & Team Builder

We are excited to highlight William Parrish, an Enclave Supervisor who has been a dependable and inspiring member of the Charles Lea Center for eight years. William is known for his strong work ethic, leadership, and the genuine care he shows for the individuals we support.

🚀 Inspired by Innovation
William is driven by the infrastructure and technology that help move CLC forward. He takes pride in being part of “starting the frontier of technology,” and enjoys seeing how new tools can improve the lives of the people we serve.

💼 What William Does
As an Enclave Supervisor, William plays a vital role in guiding and supporting his team, which works at jobs in the community. His strengths include:
Team Leadership & Guidance
Monitoring & Performance Management
Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

🌱 A Heart Focused on Growth
William approaches life with humility and purpose. He aims each day to become “a better Kingdom man, to change my wrongs to my right every day, while on this earth.” His dedication to personal growth reflects deeply in his work and interactions.

✍️ Words of Reflection
William shared a personal poem, an inspiring window into his perseverance, mindset, and commitment to inner peace:
I rise before the breaking dawn,
Chasing calmly while the world moves on.
Hands worn raw, yet steady and strong,
Building peace where the hours belong.
Through storms of doubt and winds that grind,
I carve my path for a piece of mind.
Sweat and struggle, the price I pay,
For quiet skies at the end of the day.
No gold, no crown, no fleeting fame,
Just inner stillness my only claim.
For in this toil, my soul will find,
The sweetest gift: a piece of mind.

⭐ Thank You, William
We are grateful for William’s leadership, hard work, and the compassion he brings to every interaction. His presence strengthens his team, supports the individuals we serve, and carries forward the mission of the CLC 💚

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11/22/2025

Hold onto your seats! 🚀
We squeezed six decades of impact, innovation, and heart into a 60-second whirlwind video.
Celebrate 60 years with us ... CLC60in60! 💚

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/21/2025

🌿 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. 💚🌳💚

11/19/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Jenny Gray 🌟
Direct Support Professional | 23 Years of Service | Golfer, Cook & Sports Fan

Meet Jenny Gray, a longtime member of the Charles Lea Center family who has dedicated more than 23 years to making a difference as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). 💚

Jenny loves her work because it combines what she values most, helping others and being part of something meaningful.
“I like working here because I get to help people. It’s not just a career; I enjoy being around the individuals I serve and the great people I work with,” she shares.

As a DSP, Jenny does a little bit of everything from decorating to meal support and always bringing care and heart to her work. She’s a proud Spartanburg High School graduate and earned her degree from Coastal Carolina University, where she also played women’s golf! ⛳️

Outside of work, Jenny enjoys golfing, cooking, collecting things, and cheering on her favorite NASCAR drivers and sports teams. She also cares for her sweet 85-year-old mom and loves spending time with her close-knit family including her sister Cindy, brother-in-law Randy, and their kids.
We’re so thankful for Jenny’s 23 years of dedication, heart, compassion, and fun spirit that make the Charles Lea Center a brighter place for everyone every day! 💚🌟💚

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11/14/2025

💎 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. 💚

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans at the Charles Lea Center 🇺🇸

Today, we proudly recognize the brave men and women who have served our country - especially our incredible Charles Lea Center team members who once wore the uniform and now continue to serve our community with compassion and dedication.

Below, we’re honored to share the stories and memories of our veteran staff. Each of them has shown extraordinary courage and commitment, both in service to our nation and in the work they do every day at CLC.

To all veterans, we thank you for your sacrifice, your strength, and your unwavering service. You make our community and our country stronger. ❤️🤍💙

11/07/2025

🎉💚 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! 💚💫💚

11/06/2025

Thank you, Lt. Gov. Evette, for celebrating with us! 💚 We’re so grateful for your support as we mark 60 years of caring, innovation, and inspiration. 🙏✨
Charles Lea Center Foundation

11/05/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Kavia Kabe 🌟
Director of Home & Community Based Services and Supports | Leader, Lifelong Learner & Traveler

Meet Kavia Kabe, our Director of Home & Community Based Services and Supports in Tennessee! Though she’s been with the Charles Lea Center for just four months, Kavia has already made a lasting impression through her leadership, positivity, and passion for empowering others. 💚
“The most enlightening thing that draws me to CLC is the person-centered culture … putting the individuals we serve first,” Kavia shares. “With that focus, I’m able to bring my own personal nature of uplifting others.”
Kavia oversees the operations of all residential, employment, and community services under Tennessee’s Home and Community-Based/Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Medicaid program. In simpler terms, she ensures safety, quality, and integrity in every service we provide by helping staff and participants alike thrive. 🌟
A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Community/Public Health and a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Kavia brings both expertise and heart to her role. She’s passionate about continuous growth and loves exploring new experiences from exercising and traveling to learning new languages and mastering new recipes. ✈️🍲💪
Kavia was drawn to the Charles Lea Center for its mission, professionalism, and genuine commitment to meeting people where they are without judgment.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of CLC,” she says. “As our mission expands across the state of Tennessee, I’m excited to see the growth and lives changed.”
We’re thrilled to have Kavia on the team and can’t wait to see the incredible impact she’ll continue to make in Tennessee and beyond! 💫

10/31/2025

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! 🎃

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10/28/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Gloria Porter 🌟
Person-Centered Planner | Nearly 10 Years of Service | Creative, Compassionate & Family-Focused

Meet Gloria Porter, a dedicated Person-Centered Planner who will celebrate 10 incredible years with the Charles Lea Center (CLC) in March 2026! 💚
Gloria’s passion for helping others shines through in everything she does.

“I love being able to make a positive impact by helping individuals achieve their goals, dreams, and desires. Building meaningful relationships and seeing personal growth in the people I serve is what keeps me inspired.”

A Person-Centered Planner (P*P) is a unique role created by the CLC. Gloria serves as the connecting point for our Day, Employment, and Supportive Housing Services, developing collaborative support plans, facilitating meetings, and helping individuals transition smoothly into programs. Her work ensures every person has a voice and a clear path toward success. 🌟

“I’ve always had a love and desire to help others,” Gloria says. “I love being a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
Gloria holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She enjoys organizing and decorating. Her home changes themes every season! She also loves spending quality time with her family and making new memories together.
At home, Gloria stays busy with her 11-year-old creative daughter, her two bonus daughters a 20-year-old studying Aerospace Engineering at USC Columbia and an 18-year-old Nursing major at USC Upstate and her 6-year-old sassy toy poodle. Her perfect evening includes online shopping, true crime shows, and favorite snacks! 🛋️🛍️🐩
Reflecting on her time at CLC, Gloria says,
“It’s been an honor to be part of such an amazing organization. I have a wonderful supervisor, team & support system. I love the individuals and families I serve and look forward to all the amazing things ahead!”

Thank you, Gloria, for your nearly decade-long dedication, compassion, and creativity - you make a lasting difference every single day! 💚