The Champions Center (formerly known as DCEC) was founded in 1974 by Kristina Radcliff. Kristina saw a desperate need in her community and created The Champions Center to provide services to children often overlooked or ignored. In the days before children with special needs and disabilities received services in the public school system, The Champions Center provided care and instruction to children from birth to age thirteen. The Champions Center began in a small facility at First Baptist Church, Anderson and had several locations around the county, before settling in Anderson again in 1991.
As the school systems took on more services for children with special needs or disabilities, The Champions Center narrowed its scope of care to children from birth to five years old.
In 2009, The Champions Center lost its full funding from the state government through a series of state-wide budget cuts. Later that year, a partial amount of funding was reinstated, but it was not enough to maintain operations. The Champions Center then looked to its community and its supportive Circle of Friends and decided to register as a private non-profit organization August 1, 2010.
We now receive valuable support from a wide range of sources, including United Way, the Anderson County Council, state support, several grants, ABC Childcare, Special Needs Vouchers, Weekly Fees, and generous donations from the community.
“Connor has been at The Champions Center for over a year now and has made leaps and bounds in his progress. This place is such a blessing in our lives!”
The Champions Center - WHERE WE ARE NOW:
When the Center relocated to the Westside Community Center in 2014, enrollment more than tripled. The Champions Center has grown to become a vital part of the greater Anderson County community. Our outreach efforts have helped us create strong partnerships and engagement from the community. These partnerships have helped us continue to grow and be holistic in the services we provide to these exceptional children. With onsite critical therapies, exceptional early education and strong supportive services, we believe that these children can thrive.
In the fall of 2022, The Champions Center for Special Children made the move to an expanded and updated facility. The former South Fant Elementary School was repurposed as the South Fant Education Center by Anderson School District 5. Through a mutually beneficial partnership, The Champions Center now utilizes space this former elementary school that better equips us to serve families/children with special needs. Pay us a visit at our wonderful new home - 1700 South Fant Street, Anderson.