What We Do
Our approach is simple. We help each person make choices about how they want to live. We do this by providing support to people where they live, work and play. Our supports are based on the principles of person-centered thinking where the individual and/or their family/caregiver direct the services they want and need.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in society and have an active and vibrant life based on their interests and abilities. To that end, we are committed to being flexible to accommodate the changing needs and expectations of the individuals we support.
The Charles Lea Center’s main facility is located at 195 Burdette Street in Spartanburg. Charles Lea Industries & Services is located in Roebuck, SC with a third community day program in Chesnee, SC.
We are proud of the fact that we are able to touch the lives of more than 1,500 individuals in Spartanburg County. And we’re even prouder when we get to watch them succeed and reach their goals.
For over 50 years, the Charles Lea Center has been a trusted leader in providing innovative disability services in Spartanburg, SC. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities and chronic medical conditions by offering tailored programs that foster independence, inclusion, and personal growth.
Our Mission
The Charles Lea Center empowers individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities—where they live, work, and play. Through residential services, day programs, employment support, and assistive technology, we help individuals achieve independence and inclusion.
We believe everyone deserves equal opportunities, and we’re committed to breaking barriers so those we support can lead fulfilling, independent lives
Our Vision
The Charles Lea Center envisions a world where all individuals are empowered to live active, meaningful, and engaged lives. We believe that everyone has the right and responsibility to achieve the best quality of life possible. Through training, education, and advocacy, we provide the support and skills needed to help individuals reach their fullest potential and thrive in every aspect of their lives
Our Values
At the Charles Lea Center, we value the well-being of both the individuals we support and our dedicated employees. To ensure access to quality healthcare, we bring medical services directly to those we serve, overcoming barriers such as transportation challenges or staffing shortages. Providing exceptional care is at the core of our values because everyone deserves the support they need to thrive.
Management Philosophy
The top priority of the Charles Lea Center is to provide excellent supports that are individualized and focused on helping the men, women, and children that we serve to be part of their communities where they live, work, and play. We believe that in order to accomplish this we need a dedicated team of employees who have the knowledge, skills, and motivation to provide the very best supports and services. We accomplish this by doing the following:
Working Together
Every employee at the Charles Lea Center has an important role and is responsible for doing their part to ensure that we accomplish our mission. While employees have different titles and responsibilities, no one is more important than another. It is imperative that everyone works together and supports one another to ensure the success of the Charles Lea Center.
Supportive Leadership
We believe that each employee needs to be provided with the proper supports and assistance to be successful. Our employees do not work “for us” but rather “with us” to meet the mission of the Charles Lea Center. We believe in open communication, transparency, teamwork, and supporting each other. All employees will be given every possible opportunity to succeed through effective support, coaching, and training.
Participatory Management
We will seek input from employees so that different perspectives and voices are heard and considered when decisions are made. We always take time to listen to employees and encourage them to give input on things that affect their work at the Charles Lea Center.
Performance and Professional Development
We are committed to providing effective and relevant training that provides the skills and knowledge to be effective employees. Feedback on performance will be provided regularly on both an informal and formal basis. Support and assistance will be provided to ensure that every employee has the opportunity to support the mission.
