About Us
History
The Scottish Rite Masons started the first of their free speech therapy clinics in Colorado in the 1950s. Since then, 170 centers across the country have treated thousands of children. One of those centers is the Childhood Language Center, which began treating West Virginia's children in 1992.
The Scottish Rite Masons have a long history of helping children through their philanthropies. They, and anyone who knows a child with a speech and language disorder, understand the impact that a speech and language disorder can have not only on the child, but on the entire family. At the Childhood Language Center, we try to improve not only the communications skills of the child, but to help that child function more effectively in their home environment. We want the children we serve to be able to participate in their home, school, and community as best they can.
We treat children from birth to age 16. All of our services are provided at absolutely no charge to the family. We are a regional center, having served clients from Boone, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Roane, and Wood counties. We have no residency requirements for our clients. Anyone who wants to come to our clinic is welcome. We ask that our parents observe therapy as much as possible. We want parents to work with their children at home, as this helps the children learn even more.
We operate solely on funds raised by the Scottish Rite Masons and donations from the community and local corporations. We are proud to serve our community and are committed to providing quality services to all those in need. Since opening our doors in 1992, no family has ever received a bill for our services.
Our Board
The Childhood Language Center is governed by a board of volunteers, who are responsible for fund raising, managing finances, and overseeing the affairs of the Center. Our Board is made up of the following members:
Donna Kelly, Board President
Stephen D. Wehrle, Vice President
David Brown, Secretary
Ann Vincent Urling, Treasurer
Laurance Jones III, Past President
H. Jack Yost Jr., 33º Ex-Officio; SGIG in West Virginia
Jim Crawford, Ex-Officio; Personal Representative to the SGIG in West Virginia
Bill Gardner, Ex-Officio; SR Treasurer
C. B. Hall, SGIG Emeritus in WV
Kent Carper
Conrad Collins
Riley Joe Evans
Mia Fox
Sam Kapourales
B. J. Miller
Frank C. Powell II
James Ross
Sue Sergi
Chuck Smith
Jim Smith
Dr. F. Thomas Sporck
Jennifer Willets
Our Library
Our library is steadly growing.
Lending Library
Join us Monday June 20, 2011 for a special reading hour to introduce the children and adults to our lending library. Story time will begin at 11:00am with refreshments and more. You can browse our books and check them out, if you wish..
Our Staff
Meet the staff of the Childhood Language Center.
Jennifer Dennison Speech Language Pathologist
Jennifer has been a member of the CLC family since October 2009. Jennifer is a graduate of Marshall University. She has experience with but not limited to language delays, articulation disorders, cochlear implants, hearing impairments and feeding disorders. Jennifer is very happy to be part of the CLC team..
Amber Hammond Speech Language Pathologist
Amber has been with the Childhood Language Center since June of 2009. Amber completed her undergraduate work in Elementary Education at West Virginia Wesleyan College and then completed her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Virginia. She is a native of Parkersburg and is excited to be back in her home state. She loves working with children to help improve their communication skills.
Mary Lewis Speech Language Pathologist
Mary is a Marshall University graduate. She has been at the CLC since 2005, working with children who have articulation disorders, language delays, Apraxia, disorders of fluency, hearing impairments, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fragile-X, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and repaired cleft palate. She loves the level of involvement from the parents at the Center. The parent cooperation and collaboration that exist here make our center unique.
Kathy Kidd Secretary
Kathy is retired from Verizon after 35 years, at which time she also attended University of Charleston in WV. With having four grandchildren, she enjoys children of all ages and looks forward to becoming a part of the Childhood Language Center's family.
Amy Shuler Goodwin Executive Director
Amy Shuler Goodwin has been the chief spokesperson and communications director for presidential candidates, governors, congressmen and mayors during her 17 year career. Currently, Goodwin is the managing member of The Goodwin Group, llc, a public relations, fundraising and event management firm with offices in Charleston and Wheeling, West Virginia. Goodwin also has taken on the role of Executive Director for the Childhood Language Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Goodwin previously served four years as a senior staff member and as the chief spokesperson for Governor Bob Wise. Goodwin also served as the director of communications for the John Kerry for President Campaign in West Virginia where she traveled with the senator and his staff during 34 visits to the Mountain State during this campaign. Goodwin also served as communications director for the city of Charleston under the leadership of the late G. Kemp Melton. Goodwin, a Wheeling native, is a former anchor and reporter for WCHS-TV in Charleston and WTRF-TV in Wheeling. Goodwin also worked in the news industry overseas as a researcher for ABC News in London, England. Goodwin holds a Bachelors of Science degree in journalism with a minor in political science from West Virginia University. Goodwin has taught senior level public relations, writing and media ethics courses for the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University, the University of Charleston and West Virginia State University. Goodwin is a past board of director member for the West Virginia Chapter of the Special Olympics and Hospice and the Childhood Language Center. Goodwin was named one of the 2003 West Virginia Executive Young Guns of the Year and was recognized in 2004 as a Distinguished West Virginian by the Governor for her meritorious service to the state. Goodwin lives in Charleston with her husband, Booth, and two boys, Joe and Sam.