About Us
Our Story
The Center at Hampton House is a 501(c)(3) [Non-Profit Corporation] eligible for tax-deductible donations.
The Center at Hampton House was created out of need. Founder Nancy Jelen, is the mother of two grown children with autism and had exhausted all available resources to assist them secure meaningful employment and create a sustainable living for themselves.
In August of 2017, out of this need, The Center at Hampton House was established and has been forming community partnerships and offering services designed to guide individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities to secure employment and live an independent life.
Our Mission
We provide educational programs and opportunities to individuals, 14 years of age through adulthood, that develop a variety of lifelong skills that pave the way to employment, independent living and social enrichment.
At The Center at Hampton House, our private facility provides a safe environment where individuals from 14 and up with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities can participate in group programming or individual services designed to enhance technology expertise, social skills, independent living and employment skills which include both hard and soft skill development for workplace readiness.
Our Staff
Our team members are committed to creating a safe learning environment and working with persons with autism and intellectual disabilities. Our dedicated experts provide quality programs and services to help those individuals acquire independent living skills, practical office and business technology skills and skills in professional trades.
All individuals are unique and our learning environment accepts and encourages diversity while striving to expand employment opportunities.The Center at Hampton House is an equal opportunity employer.
Meet the team
Nancy Jelen
Executive Director
Executive Director, and founder, Mother of 2 Adult children with autism. A Degree in Physical Therapy, a Certified Life Coach, 27 years of Business management, over 30 years working with persons with disabilities and 14 years as an IM4Q Monitor. Nancy knows firsthand parents need a solution to the 85% unemployment problem among the population with disabilities. Nancy’s motto, “Let’s be the solution.” The Center’s custom written “Put your Future in Focus” and “Train to the Job” programs help clients prepare up for the most successful experience.
Karen V.
Director of Technology and Programming
Karen is a leader in her field with over 30 years’ experience in technology integration for students and young adults with special needs. Karen has served as the Director of Technology for the Center at Hampton House since its inception and has co authored “Train to the job” and “Get your Future in Focus” programs for the Center. Karen founded and developed SI Services, a technology company providing solutions to enhance the lives of individuals living with a disability. She designed an iPad Program for parents and professionals educators. Karen also developed a Special Education Safety Emergency Preparedness Program (SESEP), providing technology driven curriculum to best support special education students learn and practice safety procedures to survive an emergency situation. Karen’s most important role is Mom to Stefan, who is 23 years old living with autism, and is non-verbal. Karen has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn State University.
Connie B.
Community Outreach & Fundraising
Sherie B.
Employment Development specialist
Sherie is a Temple University graduate with a BBA in Accounting and a minor in Marketing. Sherie has over 30 years of experience in HR and management training. She is a Certified Employment Specialist. She uses her previous work experience to educate businesses on the benefits of mentoring and hiring persons with disabilities. Having a sister with autism, Sherie has lived and dealt with the barriers that prevent success for employment. Sherie saw firsthand how her sister who is in a sheltered workplace with a full time job coach, benefits from feeling like she has a purpose. Sherie feels her passion is to help others find their purpose as well. “It is so wonderful to see a client succeed at work, to be part of something and smile when they get their first check.” Her out of the box thinking, upfront expectations and persistent patience with training and coaching makes her a great advocate for our clients.
Sara B.
business Operations
Sara graduated from Arcadia University with a B.A. in Sociology and minor in Business Administration. Before joining the team at TCHH, she worked for multiple small businesses in an array of administrative and management roles. She was the founder and director of a local summer camp and after-school program. Sara served as President on the Parent-Teacher board at her children’s school for many years. Sara brings both her entrepreneurial business experiences as business owner, accounting assistant, and her experience as a mother of a child with special needs and merges them for the shared benefit of the Center and our clients.
Cheryl K.
Certified Job Coach
Cheryl graduated high school where she had academic and commercial courses including child development, and then proceeded into the work world. She worked her way up to director at a camp during her summers in school. She took some night courses for psychology and photography. Cheryl worked at a recruitment advertising agency for over 28 years in client services, sales and management handling clients. Cheryl uses her network connections to educate former business clients about the importance of providing opportunities for the clients we serve and how they can enhance their businesses.
Nanci G.
Behavior specialist consultant
PA Licensed Behavior Specialist. Nanci brings 30 plus years to helping understand and guide clients. Nanci holds an MA in Professional Counseling from Arcadia University with Concentration Certifications in Autism and Child & Family Therapy. She passed the National Counseling Exam in October 2017 and is a PA licensed Behavior Specialist as of October 2018. Nanci provides Child & Family Home/School-Based Therapy and is also an academic, autism & behavior coach, to help find solutions and strategies for individuals who face challenges in their daily life. Nanci works to serve as a behavior specialist offering counseling services to individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities to promote their acquisition of independent living skills, practical office and business technology skills and skills in professional trades.
Katelyn M.
Direct Care Advocate
Katelyn graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Psychology and Social Sciences. Before coming to The Center at Hampton House, she worked with children and adults with disabilities at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy. She served as a 4-H leader planning programs and activities. Katelyn has family members with disabilities and understands what each one needs and is always ready to help.
Courtney S.
Grant Writer
Courtney recently earned her M.A. in American Studies from Stockton University. She graduated from Ursinus College in 2014 and currently coaches middle school girls’ lacrosse. She is also actively involved in both her high school and college’s alumni associations where she assists with networking and social events, communications, and social media outreach. Courtney’s focus at the Center is grant writing and community outreach.
You
Job Coach and Direct-care Advocate
We are currently looking for new staff to work directly with clients. Please reach out if you feel like you would be a good fit!
The Center at Hampton House is a 501(c)(3) [Non-Profit Corporation] eligible for tax-deductible donations.