Community often begins with something simple: sharing a meal. At The Elaine Clark Center, Supper Club creates a welcoming place for families to gather, connect with people who understand their experiences, and enjoy time together outside of daily routines. On Tuesday, September 15, we invite our community to join us for dinner before a special City Council presentation in Chamblee.
A visiting family once joined an ECC Supper Club and shared that the community they found felt “unique and special.” They did not have this kind of connection where they lived. Their words capture why Supper Club matters: families deserve a place where they feel known, included, and at home.
A Table Can Be a Place of Belonging
For many families raising children and young adults with developmental disabilities, finding community can take extra effort. Schedules are full, care needs can be complex, and not every gathering is designed with inclusion in mind. The Elaine Clark Center works every day to create programs where individuals of all abilities can learn, grow, and participate—and Supper Club extends that spirit beyond the classroom.
There is no agenda to master at Supper Club. It is an opportunity to sit down, share a meal, catch up with familiar faces, and meet new people. Parents and caregivers can connect with others who understand the joys, questions, and challenges that come with supporting a loved one with disabilities. Children and young adults can enjoy being part of a community that welcomes them exactly as they are.
Why Connection Matters for Families
Connection is not an extra. It is an important part of a strong support system. A conversation over dinner can lead to a helpful resource, a new friendship, or simply the reassurance that no one has to navigate their journey alone.
At The Elaine Clark Center, we see the power of relationships across our inclusive child development programs, Heart of Hope Academy, out-of-school enrichment, ECC Life, therapies, and family support services. Families often build connections through shared milestones and everyday moments. Supper Club offers another meaningful way to strengthen those relationships.
These gatherings also create room for joy. Families can step away from appointments, paperwork, school responsibilities, and busy evenings to enjoy a meal together. That time matters. It reminds us that community is built not only through major events, but also through ordinary moments of welcome and conversation.
Join Us Before the City Council Meeting
Our next Supper Club will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m.
at SouthEnd Smokehouse, 3509 Broad Street in Chamblee.
We hope ECC families, friends, supporters, and neighbors will join us around the table.
After dinner, we will walk across the street to Chamblee City Hall for a meaningful moment of recognition. The Elaine Clark Center will receive Georgia House Resolution 1491
during the City Council meeting. We are honored to celebrate this occasion with the people who make our work possible: the children, young adults, families, team members, volunteers, donors, and community advocates who are part of ECC.
You are welcome to come for Supper Club, the presentation, or both. Whether you are a longtime member of our community or joining us for the first time, there is a seat for you.
Celebrating a Community That Shows Up
Recognition is most meaningful when it reflects the people behind it. The Elaine Clark Center has served children, young adults, and families in Chamblee and across Metro Atlanta for decades because our community continues to show up. Families entrust us with their hopes. Educators, therapists, nurses, and staff bring care and expertise each day. Donors and volunteers help expand opportunities. Community partners help make inclusion visible.
Georgia House Resolution 1491 gives us a chance to pause and celebrate that shared commitment. It is also a reminder that the work of building inclusive communities continues. Every welcoming classroom, supportive service, volunteer hour, family gathering, and conversation helps create a stronger community for people of all abilities.
More Than a Center
The Elaine Clark Center is more than a place families come for services. It is a community grounded in belonging, advocacy, and possibility. From early childhood through young adulthood, we support individuals with developmental disabilities as they build skills, relationships, confidence, and independence.
Supper Club reflects that mission in a particularly personal way. It creates an environment where community is not just discussed; it is experienced. At a shared table, families can feel the comfort of being understood, the excitement of seeing friends, and the simple pleasure of spending an evening together.
We hope you will join us on September 15 as we share a meal and celebrate this recognition in the heart of Chamblee. Bring your family, invite a friend, or stop by to say hello. We would love to see you.
FAQ
When and where is the next Supper Club?
Supper Club will be held Tuesday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m. at SouthEnd Smokehouse, located at 3509 Broad Street in Chamblee.
Do I need to attend both dinner and the City Council presentation?
No. You are welcome to attend Supper Club, the presentation at Chamblee City Hall, or both events.
What will happen after Supper Club?
After dinner, attendees are invited to walk across the street to Chamblee City Hall, where The Elaine Clark Center will receive Georgia House Resolution 1491 during the City Council meeting.
Who is invited to Supper Club?
ECC families, friends, supporters, neighbors, and anyone who wants to celebrate community and inclusion are welcome.
Why does The Elaine Clark Center host Supper Club?
Supper Club gives families and supporters a relaxed place to connect, enjoy time together, and experience the welcoming community that is at the heart of ECC.
