4 minute read
Spreading Hope
by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Erland Schulze
In 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.
WHAT HOPE HOUSE DOES
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 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.”
IMPACT
Their success is taking in children who have no home— most have no parents—and they consider the children who came in the 60s their biggest successes as they are now senior citizens. Erland says, “We have so many residents who are homeless. Many don't find a permanent home with proper care and treatment. Some come to us with only the clothes they are wearing. No parents or relatives to go to or no guardians who can manage their severe disabilities. We have more than 50 direct care staff working three shifts a day to cover all this care in our four homes.”
He says another measure of success is seeing a child come to Hope House at an early age and graduate. While not the same graduation as other students, they do graduate from special ed programs in the public school system, which is a proud moment.
FUTURE PLANS
Stabilize Hope House financially so they can accommodate residents in the future.
Build more homes. “We can fill as many homes as we can build!”
Spread the story through program presentations to churches, clubs, and organizations. They are available to speak and love giving personal tours.
MEET THE HOPE HOUSE HEROES
As they have been for many years, staff plan to be at the Christmas festival. They also take residents out to public places like restaurants, stores, and local activities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help arrange short programs at men's or women's church groups, civic clubs, or organizations.
Donate: Consider making a donation to help them continue caring for residents and complete projects that need repair or work. Donations of household goods, supplies, and foods help defray those costs. Review their Amazon wish list at HopeHouseAustin.org/wishlist.
Volunteer: Due to the high level of disability, they do not pair volunteers with residents, but they do love help with the yards and landscaping. They also have a raised bed garden that is currently not being attended and they would be grateful to have gardeners revive it next spring. Erland says they are always open to funding ideas and are happy to entertain suggestions.
