St. Gerard House—a cornerstone of support for individuals with autism and their families—is preparing to consolidate its life-changing services under one roof​ to be named St. Gerard Center for Autism​. And Partner Community Capital (PCAP) is helping make this dream a reality. 

For 15 years, St. Gerard House has guided individuals with autism on the path from first words to first jobs. Now, thanks to a new opportunity to acquire a 45,230-square-foot facility in East Flat Rock, the organization is poised to bring all of its services together on a single campus. The move will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and most importantly—expand access to care for families across the region. 

PCAP is playing a key role in this ambitious transition. Through a partnership with the Reinvestment Fund, PCAP is helping finance the first phase of the $21 million project—securing the new building and funding the design and permitting work needed to bring the campus to life. 

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about strengthening a community asset that has already transformed countless lives,” said Erika McGilley, Chief Lending Officer at PCAP. “By supporting St. Gerard House in this critical phase, we’re helping them remove barriers to care and expand their reach to more families in need.” 

The new facility—once home to Vocational Solutions, an organization that served adults with disabilities for more than ​50​​ ​years—already has much of the infrastructure needed to support St. Gerard House’s growing programs. Its location on Spartanburg Highway offers ideal access, parking, and zoning to support expanded services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, early intervention, speech therapy, and vocational training. 

The move to a single campus will have ripple effects far beyond logistics. Currently, St. Gerard House operates out of six different buildings—two of which they own, and four they lease. By consolidating operations, the organization will dramatically reduce rental and mortgage costs, free up staff time, and increase the number of families they serve. 

Key goals of the project include: 

• Reducing the waitlist for clinical ABA therapy, a proven intervention that helps individuals with autism improve communication, social skills, and manage challenging behaviors. 

• Expanding young adult programming, including the popular Feed the Need initiative, a program that teaches vocational and life skills through gardening, culinary arts, and community service. 

• Creating 50 new living-wage certified jobs—a boost not just for the organization, but for the entire Western North Carolina economy. 

• Diversifying revenue streams to support long-term organizational stability. 

Each program housed under St. Gerard House’s umbrella—from The Grotto Therapeutic Center for intensive ABA therapy, to Discovery for school-aged learners, to Family Group Night for whole-family support—contributes to a comprehensive, individualized approach that meets people where they are. 

“This kind of project is exactly why PCAP exists,” said McGilley. “We look for opportunities where capital can truly make a difference—not just for a business or a nonprofit, but for the entire community. This new campus will do just that.” 

It’s this holistic care model that caught the attention of the building’s current owners, who chose to sell the property to St. Gerard House for far less than market value, citing a shared mission and commitment to the disability community. 

“Every dollar we save goes right back into the families we serve,” said Caroline Long​ Tindall​​, ​CEO​​ and founder of St. Gerard House. “This campus is more than a building—it’s a promise to the future.” 

By investing in this next chapter, PCAP is doing more than financing a property. It’s helping create a sustainable foundation for a community institution that empowers individuals with autism to thrive—socially, academically, emotionally, and vocationally. 

“Partnering with mission-aligned lenders like Reinvestment Fund and organizations like St. Gerard House is how we continue building resilient, inclusive communities,” McGilley added. “We’re proud to be part of this moment—and excited for what’s ahead.” 

As St. Gerard House turns its vision into reality, Partner Community Capital is proud to stand alongside them—investing in people, in progress, and in the power of what’s possible when we build hope under one roof.