Who We Are

Our Mission

The Childhood Language Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help children communicate and succeed by providing high quality therapy services that involve the family.

Our Values

  • All children can lead productive lives regardless of the challenges they face.
  • Children deserve the highest quality of care possible, in an efficient and effective manner, regardless of ability to pay.
  • All people should be treated equally, with respect and with full access to our services.
  • The entire family must be involved in the therapeutic process in a safe, comfortable environment.
  • Our donors' generosity should be recognized and their gifts must be used for the intended purposes.

History & Purpose

The Childhood Language Center was founded by the Scottish Rite Masons in 1990. Scottish Rite Masons began founding free speech therapy clinics in the 1950s in Colorado, and RiteCare clinics now can be found nationwide.

The Childhood Language Center is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit. The CLC is the only free speech and language therapy clinic in the Charleston area. No family has ever received a bill for service.

The CLC currently provides therapy to more than 92 children. Our children come from Boone, Clay, Jackson, Kanahwa, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, Raleigh, and Roane counties.

The Center’s therapists are trained to work with children who have speech and language delays, hearing impairments, Down Syndrome, autism, apraxia, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and cleft lip or palate.  Each child receives one-on-one therapy with a skilled therapist on a weekly basis, in addition to regular group therapy outings that integrate the family.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors, the families at the CLC do not have to make the tough decision of whether or not their family can afford the services their child needs to be successful.