Schreiber Stories

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit Schreiber, you have seen firsthand a place brimming with captivating and inspiring stories. We are grateful to have a devoted staff of amazing therapists who diligently work with the children every day and fortunate to have a team of volunteers who contribute their time and effort to our mission.
But it is the families that truly stand out. From care takers navigating through some of the most challenging situations, to the children themselves working hard in every therapy session. We celebrate these resilient individuals who enter our doors and dedicate themselves to improving their lives and striving for independence all while wearing smiles on their faces.
There is an abundance of stories within our grasp. These stories are the essence of our purpose for this blog. We yearn to share them with you, to create connections, and to touch hearts.
We know there are stories we are not yet aware of though, which is where you come in. Care takers of Schreiber kids, Schreiber alumni, and volunteers, we want to hear from you. Your voices and experiences are invaluable, and we eagerly await the opportunity to hear from you!
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, or send an email our way.
Carter Peiffer: Back from the brink
March 17, 2022For Carter Peiffer, an occupational therapy session with Sarah Terry will usually involve food. And making a mess with food. The mess is by design. A puddle of PediaSure on the table is fair game for Carter to write his name in, drive a toy car through or give a sip to Elmo. He might…
For the Kiss family, dedication mixed with gratitude
March 4, 2022The complications for Colton Kiss started the moment he was born. His mom, Tara Kiss, said doctors used vacuum extraction to help with delivery. The procedure “caused four intracranial brain hemorrhages,” Tara wrote in an email, “as well as a blood clot on his cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls movement,…
Winter Olympics come to Schreiber
February 2, 2022The Winter Olympics begin Feb. 4 in China. On the other side of the world, right here in Lancaster County, we have our own version of the Games at Schreiber. Over the next few weeks, while you’re here at the center, you might notice the unusual Olympic-inspired decorations. There’s the Speed Dressing arena outside of…
Schreiber mom: From advocate for others to advocate for son
December 17, 2021Amanda Katchur is a psychologist who has been an advocate for services that support children for a number of years. Now, she’s learning to advocate for her own child, and that’s a completely different experience. It’s one thing to know professionally the impact that Schreiber’s services and Lancaster County’s Early Intervention program have on families….
Harold Gainer and Bob Race: A memorable team at Schreiber Softball
May 27, 2021Harold Gainer and Bob Race were a couple of retired cops with a soft spot for kids. And, boy, did that soft spot make a difference in the lives of Schreiber kids. Harold and Bob were two of the most dedicated volunteers for Schreiber’s Softball Weekend. The event returns June 4-6 for its 39th year,…
Deanna and Zoey learn to live with Rett
May 20, 2021Zoey Adair Zoey and some of her preschool friends play in a sandbox in a photo from 2019. Zoey has learned many different skills at Schreiber as she and her family deal with her diagnosis of Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Deanna Adair has been a Schreiber physical therapist for five years. Her daughter…
Penn State awards first Schreiber scholarship
May 11, 2021Anicia Anderson can trace her interest in a speech-language pathology career to hearing a guest speaker during a high school health class. She was in 10th grade at North Haven High School, a public high school in North Haven, Conn. The speaker was looking for volunteers to come and work in a group home for…
Preschool moms donate books to Schreiber
April 21, 2021The idea started from chat between two Schreiber S.T.A.R.S. Preschool moms. Jennel Roberts and Michelle Miller are both independent consultants for Usborne Books and More, a company that distributes a wide array of books, including children’s books. Michelle Miller, left, and Jennel Roberts recently visited Schreiber with their S.T.A.R.S. preschoolers to deliver $780 in donated…
Circle of Friends rated STAR 4 again
April 13, 2021Schreiber’s Circle of Friends Academy child care program again received a STAR 4 rating from Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS program, the highest rating possible under the state’s child care ratings. It’s the eighth straight year for Schreiber to receive the rating, which is intended to help parents and guardians compare the quality of different child care…
Schreiber marks Women’s History Month
March 31, 2021March was Women’s History Month, and we have been noting throughout the month on social media the enormous contributions that women have made throughout Schreiber’s 85 years. In fact, Schreiber’s story starts with a woman, Edna Schreiber. We trace our roots back to the organization she started here in Lancaster County in 1936. So we…