Dominion Energy Grant Expands Clinical, Developmental Services at Lowcountry Learning Center

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Beautiful Gate Center has been awarded a grant from Dominion Energy to support increased capacity and additional clinical and therapeutic services for Lowcountry families in need.

The Beautiful Gate Center, a developmental center for children with autism and other disabilities located in North Charleston, has been awarded a $25,000 donation from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation to help advance the organization’s charitable mission across the tri-county region.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six children are diagnosed with a developmental disability,” said Angela Muirhead, Executive Director of the Beautiful Gate Center. “There is a strong demand for more community programs and pediatric therapy providers in our region who support speech and occupational therapies for children and young adults. We are truly grateful to have the continued support of Dominion Energy behind our mission and long-term vision for the center.”

Established in-network with various insurance providers and South Carolina Medicaid, Beautiful Gate Center’s new location opened in October of 2021. The facility works to provide speech, occupational and behavior therapy services to support many families in the region who are unable to pay for services out-of-pocket.

“We are proud to be a family of employees committed not only to helping each other, but also to helping our neighbors in the communities we serve,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “It is an honor to support the Beautiful Gate Center’s critical mission of helping Lowcountry families in need of their services.”

With the generous support of Dominion Energy, the center officially launched its pilot program in July of 2022, designed to bridge the gap for children ages three through 21 who may not qualify for additional, more personalized, school services. The program provides more intensive support and a unique learning environment to accommodate families overwhelmed by their circumstances.

The program provides opportunities for exceptional children to develop independent skills for daily living, developing a functional communication system while overcoming behavioral barriers and challenges which prevent learning and social growth which many with Autism are capable of learning if they can get access to the services.

About the Beautiful Gate Center

Beautiful Gate Center (BGC) is South Carolina’s first charitable Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders offering a therapeutic group specialty practice and Center-Based day treatment program serving children and youth ages 3 to 21 with Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the tri-county area.

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed $45 million in 2022 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.