Get to Know JPII
John Paul II Center is as unique as our students. We are the only Catholic school in Berks County that provides a comprehensive educational program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our school-age programming ranges from age five to 21. While students learn, develop, and boost their confidence throughout their time at John Paul II Center, our adult program is a great way for individuals who are 21+ with learning disabilities to maintain and develop new skills.
At JPII, we do more for each individual. Educating each student and adult academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually isn’t a process at John Paul II Center; it is an educational plan instilled with care.
Even though John Paul II is incorporated, we are still under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Allentown. The Bishop has final approval on all governing matters concerning the school. The diocese also provides financial services and human resource services. Financial support is received through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
All faiths and religious beliefs are welcome.
Our Mission
In a safe and nurturing Christian environment, John Paul II Center serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing diversified programs. We acknowledge the dignity of all learners while challenging them on a daily basis to reach their God-given potential. Our mission is an expression of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life.
September 13, 1982 John Paul II Center opened its doors to 16 students, in two classrooms, and under the guidance of two full-time special education teachers. The school was located at 450 S. Sixth Street in Reading. Sister Francis Bisland served as the first principal.
August 22, 1983 Enrollment increased from 16 students to 21. Students became involved in the Special Olympics program. The parents of John Paul II students formed the Boosters, an organization to help share in the financial support of the school.
August 26, 1985 Enrollment increased to 36 students and a fourth classroom was opened. Liturgy was celebrated each week and some students also received training to serve mass.
July 7, 1986 This year saw an increase in students with multiple disabilities. With classrooms on the second floor of the building, the need for an elevator became imminent, as Sister Bisland would carry each student up the stairs each day. Permission was granted by the Diocese of Allentown to begin preparation for…
June 8, 1987 Bishop Thomas Welsh broke ground for the new elevator in June 1987. Contributions from the Forward with Christ Campaign, local businesses, and private citizens helped to fund the project.
January 17, 1988 On January 17, 1988 the new elevator was dedicated with Mass celebrated by Bishop Welsh. Speech Therapy was offered three days a week and a swimming program was added. Some students also participated in half-day vocational-technical training.
August 26, 1996 A preschool program was added to accommodate children ages 3 to 5.
August 25, 1997 School enrollment was down to a total of 13 students and John Paul II Center was in danger of closing its doors. The decision was made to move to a new facility that was more accommodating at 200 Reading Avenue in West Reading.
September 2, 1997 A substantial grant was received from Sovereign Bank and used to purchase new computers for the school.
August 27, 2001 John Paul II Center experienced an increase in enrollment and was the recipient of the Diocesan School Marketing Award. The need for a larger school became apparent.
March 18, 2002 A groundbreaking ceremony for the new school at 1092 Welsh Road in Shillington was held.
September 23, 2002 After beginning the school year in the Fr. Lyons Room of St. John Baptist de la Salle parish, students were able to move into the new school building. The New Horizons adult day program began.
November 19, 2002 Bishop Edward Cullen celebrated a Mass of dedication for the new facility.
October 8, 2009 Thanks to a grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, we were able to purchase a wonderful playground for the students. It has endured a lot of use over the years!
December 10, 2012 On December 10, 2012, we celebrated our 30 year anniversary. A special Mass was held by Most Reverend John O. Barres.
October 15, 2015 With John Paul II Center growing and our Adult Program expanding, the need for wheel chair vans was evident. So, during our 2015 Legacy Gala, we raised the money necessary for two brand-new wheelchair vans. These vans made it possible for us to take more individuals into the community for…
April 21, 2016 More space was a huge need, so we decided to run a capital campaign to raise the funds necessary for an addition/renovation project, which broke ground around April 1 of 2016. On April 21, 2016, we held a Reaching for More Capital Campaign Kickoff event.
December 16, 2016 With our Reaching for More Capital Campaign closing out with a total of $3,182,343 in donations and our expansion reaching completion in November, Bishop Barres joined us for a Mass of Dedication. After Mass and followed by a small congregation of individuals, he then proceeded to bless the entire school….
John Paul II Center Opens
Enrollment Increases
Fourth Classroom Opened
Students with Multi-Disabilities Increase
With Help From the Community…
With Elevator Complete, New Programs Begin
Our First Day of Preschool
A More Accommodating Location
Through Generosity…
Continuously Putting Heart into it!
A Place to Call Home
Move-in Day
A Mass of Dedication
Ronald’s Playground
30th Anniversary
Expanding our Fleet
Capital Campaign Kickoff
Expansion Dedication Mass
Board of Directors
Anthony DeMarco – Chairman, Vice President of College Advancement, Reading Area Community College
E. Thomas Henefer – Vice-Chair; Attorney, Shareholder, and Co-Chair of the Litigation Department, Stevens & Lee
Dr. Patti Brown – Encompass Health and Penn State Health/St. Josephs
Rev. Msgr. Edward Domin—Pastor, Church of St. Benedict
Diane Duff – Community Volunteer
Rev. Edward J. Essig, M.Div. – Pastor, St. John Baptist de la Salle
Nicole Goss – Global Sr. Director DEI & Talent, EnerSys
Doug Kubinak – VP Sales, East Penn Manufacturing
Matthew Langdon—First Vice President, Merrill Lynch
Carla Leibold – CFO, Customers Bank
Joe McCaffrey – Director of Marketing Systems, Boscov’s
Maria Nawa – Senior Diagnostics Project Manager, Abbot Diagnostics Business
Kathleen Nevel, PhD – Adjunct Faculty Alvernia University; Retired from Carpenter Technology
Randy Raifsnider – Partner, Herbein CPAS Consultants
Bryan Redding—Practice Leader, RKL LLP
Dr. Rudy Ruth – Secretary; Community Volunteer
Rebecca Shemanski – Custom Processing Services
Turie Sotzin – Retired
Brad Stephenson – Co-owner/General Manager of New Castle Lawn and Landscape, Inc.
Jeff Stoicheff – Senior VP Human Resources, Penske Logistics
Rick Wolf—Retired School District Administrator, Governor Mifflin School District
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Mary Adams – Principal
Melissah Jablonski – Director of Advancement
Michael Mizak – Business Manager
