News & Updates
Abilities in Motion Expands Leadership Team
READING, Pennsylvania – November 19, 2024 – Abilities in Motion (AIM), an organization focused on providing services, support, and advocacy to help individuals with disabilities live independent and self-determined lives, has hired Howard Murray as Vice President of Program Development and Sarah Patschke as Associate Vice President of Program Development to further the nonprofit’s mission of providing individuals of any ability the support and resources they need to live independently.
“We are pleased to welcome Howard and Sarah to our team as we continue to expand the services and programs we offer individuals to assist them in living fulfilling and independent lives on their terms,” stated Stephanie Quigley, chief executive officer of Abilities In Motion. “This is an exciting time for AIM as we have recently introduced our Gaming and Esports Center and will be opening Rollie’s Place café in the near future. Howard and Sarah will help us continue advancing our mission and introduce new offerings for our community.”
As vice president of program development, Murray will report to Julie Skovera, director of operations, and be responsible for managing existing programs, introducing new services, and expanding awareness of AIM’s mission in the community. Most recently, Murray served as executive director of Westchester, New York, where he was responsible for programs, release, and recovery while ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives. Previously, Murray served as senior director of clinical administration and education at Caron Treatment Center.
Patschke will report to Murray and partner with other AIM directors to assess new ideas and implement innovative programming that advances AIM’s mission. She will also develop opportunities for professional development and growth through collaboration with leaders in the public and private sectors. Patschke brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organization having most recently served as director of operations for Proyecto Proposito in Honduras. Earlier in her career, Patschke held various roles of increasing responsibility at Bethany Children’s Home in Pennsylvania most recently as director of innovations. She has worked as a case manager for Helping Hands and YouthBuild in Pennsylvania. Patschke was also a high school teacher in Honduras and a program director for New Holland Club & Nike in Honduras.
Quigley added, “We are looking forward to Howard and Sarah helping us introduce new and innovative programming that will further our mission of eliminating stereotype and physical barriers that prevent inclusion in the community for individuals with disabilities.”
About Abilities in Motion
Abilities in Motion’s mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the support they need at home and throughout the community here in Berks County. Abilities in Motion offers programs, education, and advocacy that allow people to live more independent lives. More information about the organization’s services and programs is available at: https://www.abilitiesinmotion.org/programs-services.
Abilities in Motion Hires Christopher Kolb to Manage Regions First Accessible eSports Gaming Center
READING, Pennsylvania – October 1, 2024 – Abilities in Motion (AIM), an organization focused on providing services, support, and advocacy to help individuals with disabilities live independent and self-determined lives, has hired Christopher Kolb as Assistive Technology and Gaming Manager to run the eSports operations. The AIM Gaming Center features 15 of the latest and greatest gaming stations configured for individual or team play creating a welcoming and inclusive space for gamers of all abilities to join their peers and compete in the competitive eSports arena.
The state-of-the-art eSports and gaming center is approximately 2,300 sq. ft. and is located in AIM’s facility at 755 Hiesters Lane in Reading, Pennsylvania. Team and individual recruitment have already begun and as part of Kolb’s responsibilities, he will help new players join a team or start their own.
“What makes the AIM Gaming Center truly remarkable is our focus on creating a communal space that welcomes people of all abilities and skill levels to enjoy one of the fastest-growing competitive sports. We recognized that a gaming center built around accessibility needs was a great route to build the camaraderie experienced as part of team sports that many in our community may not otherwise have been able to experience,” stated Stephanie Quigley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abilities In Motion. “We continue to broaden our services and identify new ways to engage our community.”
The AIM Gaming Center offers a higher degree of gaming quality than most people can afford at home, with 15 PC systems featuring AMD Ryzen processors, NVIDIA GeForce 4070 TI SUPER graphics processors, 32 gigabytes of RAM, and much more. The center also has five fully accessible gaming stations to enable any individual regardless of need or capability the ability to immerse themselves in the world of competitive gaming. Members of the community are encouraged to bring in their peripherals from controllers to keyboards and headsets or use the provided devices.
Kolb is focused on building the community aspect of gaming so players can congregate in a dedicated space instead of feeling isolated and confined to their homes. He will manage hours of operation, schedule dedicated gaming time, and host learn-to-play sessions. Kolb is also working on adding a gaming console area featuring PlayStation 5s, Xbox Series Xs, Nintendo Switches, and other popular gaming platforms.
“You don’t have to be athletically inclined to enjoy the world of eSports or competitive gaming where strategic thinking is often more highly valued,” added Kolb. “I’m excited to work with gamers, build the community aspect of gaming, foster a competitive spirit and love of gaming, and facilitate team building with a focus on making it easy and welcoming for anyone interested to enter the world of eSports and start their competitive journey.”
Some of the popular game titles available include Call of Duty Warzone, League of Legends, and Super Smash Brothers. The center will also host Nintendo Switch party games and is developing plans to host weekly tournaments at various times for fighting games, first-person shooters, and sports games. Teams will be able to compete against other teams in the center and around the world.
The AIM Gaming Center is the newest offering from Abilities in Motion. The organization offers a variety of programs and services aimed at facilitating disability inclusivity through community engagement, civic participation, and education. The organization also offers free accessibility evaluations using the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities, based on ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and provides useful information and suggestions.
About Abilities in Motion
Abilities in Motion’s mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the support they need at home and throughout the community here in Berks County. Abilities in Motion offers programs, education, and advocacy that allow people to live more independent lives. More information about the organization’s services and programs is available at: https://www.abilitiesinmotion.org/programs-services.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marks a New Chapter for Abilities in Motion
Abilities in Motion held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 20, 2023, to celebrate the opening of its new facility at 755 Hiesters Lane in the City of Reading.
The ceremony included remarks from Executive Director Stephanie Quigley with the participation of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. Following the ceremony, attendees were able to visit public areas of the new facility.
The new fully accessible building is a significant milestone for Abilities in Motion, enabling us to expand services in new and innovative ways. The vision for the new facility includes a 2400-square-foot space designed to empower individuals with disabilities to explore technology, as well as a café space where people with disabilities will be able to build employment skills.
Berks Community Television (BCTV)
Disabilities: Issues & Updates
AIM produces a monthly local access television show on BCTV, "Disabilities: Issues & Updates." Hosted by AIM's own Brianna McGovern, the show features issues and individuals of importance and interest to regional residents with disabilities.
Third Friday of every month - 10:00 AM (30 minutes)
Replays: Saturday 9:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM; Tuesday 1:00 PM
