A testimonial message from Donna Henry, mother of a Githens Center consumer.

Our son, Sean was born in September 1992 and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and microcephaly. Like many born with the same diagnosis, Sean is non-ambulatory and non-verbal. 

At the age of three, Sean began attending Githens Center, where he remained until transitioning to Burlington County Special Services School District (BCSSSD). He continued his education there until his graduation in 2014. 

Throughout his life, Sean has faced various medical challenges, including undergoing hip surgery in 1999 and scoliosis surgery in 2009.

After spending five years in another program, we reconnected with Githens Center and were immediately impressed by the programming, activities and outings offered here. Believing it would be a beneficial environment for Sean, we decided to have him rejoin Githens Center, where he immediately felt welcomed and supported by the very skilled and caring staff.

Sean currently resides at home with his parents, his older sibling Michael Jr., and our family dog, Riley. One of his favorite pastimes is camping in our RV, an activity he enjoys with his family. 

We take great comfort in knowing that Sean is in good hands at Githens Center, where he is surrounded by a compassionate community. 

Andy and Chris were matching for St. Patrick’s Day!

Many Irish sayings emphasize inclusivity and positive outlooks, which can be applied to individuals with disabilities. “It is not a disability, it is a different ability!”

A Brief History of Githens Center

Githens Center (Burlington County Cerebral Palsy Association) was established in 1951 under the leadership of Helen Githens, a teacher and a parent of a child with disabilities, and Dr. E. Vernon Davis, an orthopedist.

Helen Githens was a dedicated teacher and mother from Vincentown, New Jersey. Motivated by her personal experience as a parent of a child with disabilities, she collaborated with Dr. E. Vernon Davis, an orthopedist, to establish the organization, which was originally established to improve the welfare of individuals with cerebral palsy. 

Through the untiring efforts of the founders including Virginia Alwine, the first executive director, Githens Center has developed into its present status of excellence. Our incredible staff, volunteers and supporters continue to contribute to the growth of our agency.

Today, Githens Center remains a vital resource for individuals with disabilities and their families. We offer day programs, respite services and support programs to help individuals live more independent and fulfilling lives. Our center continues its mission of empowering people with disabilities through education, support and community engagement.

Introducing our new digital brochure!

Our digital brochure can be shared globally via email, websites and social media when physical distribution is not feasible. It is accessible on multiple devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) and helps us measure effectiveness and optimize marketing strategies. Please take a look!

Take a scroll through memory lane and see what we’ve been up to here at Githens Center! Visit our photo gallery!

Githens Center is a provider of resources and services for people with special needs in our community. 

If you'd like to take a tour, or would like more information about Githens Center, please call us at (609) 261-1667 or email John O’Leary, Executive Director - joleary@githenscp.org