Spreading I
n 1966 a mother of five from Germany, Rose McGarrigle, moved to Austin and realized there was a desperate need for quality care for children who have physical and mental handicaps. With little help from state or local officials, she converted the garage of her west Austin home and took her red Volkswagen bus around Austin to facilitate serving these special children in her own home. In 1976, thanks to a generous land donation, the first Hope House was built near Liberty Hill. This great leap forward was made possible through the caring efforts of family and friends, a dedicated and devoted staff, and with the backing of various foundations within the state of Texas.
by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Erland Schulze
WHAT HOPE HOUSE DOES
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Today Hope House continues to provide a longterm, forever home to the most profoundly mentally and physically disabled children in Williamson and Travis counties as well as most of the surrounding counties. Residents are not able to communicate, and most are unable to speak so staff supervise and provide for their every need 24/7, including bathing, eating, toileting, and clothing. Development Director Erland Schulze says they are "like toddlers in an adult body and we provide them with all the needs of a large family. The children attend the Liberty Hill public schools, and we have speech and therapy programs for them as well. There are four homes in Liberty Hill now with 38 permanent residents. We are in the midst of construction for our fifth home, which will house another eight children.” Erland says there is a crisis in the local community and across Texas to find and provide permanent homes for disabled children, especially for those who are severely disabled. Hope House is one of only a few if any, long-term homes in this part of Texas that can care for children with these levels of disability and guardians often face a wait time of 10 years or more. He says, “One reason we remain full is the length of stay. Many of the children Rose took in during the
N O V E M B E R 2023 LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T
mid-60s are still living with us today. Our main goal is to take the children from ages 5 and up and keep them here for as long as they need us.”
