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VIDOR — Patricia Allen said she knows being a parent of a child with a “disAbility” is life changing and it doesn’t stop when the child turns 18.

Allen also knows there is a need for a place for adults with developmental disabilities to connect and be provided with opportunities to better their future and more. Her daughter Ashton was diagnosed with autism at 18 months of age and now at 33 she’s had some problems finding that special place to go. 

“In the past seven years she’s been to five adult day programs and has been kicked out of two,” Allen said. 

Hence Garlyn Place was born. Without a permanent address, individuals would meet monthly get-togethers in the community and visit different areas.

Garlyn Place became a nonprofit out of necessity, Allen said. 

Oct. 7, 2023 marked the beginning of Garlyn Place as a nonprofit organization. Its mission is “to empower adults with developmental disabilities to connect with others and build a sense of belonging by providing transition, independent and vocational opportunities. 

In Orange County there’s not very many options for an adult with developmental disabilities to go, either Beaumont or Port Arthur,” she said. 

 

Garlyn Place

A permanent home for Garlyn Place that will integrate vocational training, a work program and more will be constructed at 905 Old Highway 90 West  Vidor. The facility is courtesy of donations; The Houseman Companies donated 106 acres of land and additional pledges are funding the construction of the John and Mary Hamala Learning Center.

Allen said Garlyn Place will be patterned by two successful facilities that have been around for more than 40 years. The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas features a work program where individuals work in a restaurant there, make products for the gift shop and they also have 48 greenhouses. Down Home Ranch in Elgin, Texas is a “fun, full fledged ranch,” she said. Individuals there help with the ranch, catering, making jewelry and totes.

“What Garlyn Place will do is a bend of both of these organizations. It will be a place for individuals to transition from high school to adult life and focus on vocational skill training while having meaningful activities that will take care of them mentally and physically,” she said. “A lot of times individuals go to adult day care or an adult program and do a whole lot of sitting. We are going to help them stay active. We want the individuals to have the opportunity to volunteer in the community and connect with people and gain skills that maybe, in the long run, get them employed.”

Allen is also hoping to have a summer camp in the future.

Funding for the program will come from tuition, revenue from the goods they create, donations, grants and contacts with the Medicaid waiver program, she said. 

With the groundbreaking this week the hope is for construction to begin in July with a possible completion date in a year-and-a-half. 

Golf tourney

Tee Up for Autism Golf Scramble benefitting Garlyn House will be held April 28 at Sunset Groves County Club, 2900 W. Sunset Drive. Registration is ongoing.