Just before we launched Sharon’s Place, we conducted a survey among local families with special needs adults. It confirmed all our assumptions about the gap between what these families want and what is available.
It seemed obvious to us that as they reach adulthood, special needs individuals find themselves alone and longing for socializing and companionship. They are typically available to be in school until they reach 21, and then there is little for them. This is especially true for those living in rural areas.
Those assumptions were behind our founding of Sharon’s Place, with our mission to serve special needs adults through social and recreational events.
Here is some of what we found in our survey:
- Half of those who responded express a need for respite care.
- About 20 percent of special needs adults currently work, but 57 percent of responding families would like to have vocational training and a work program available.
- 36 percent of survey takers would like their family member to live independently at some point, while 36 percent don’t see a need, and the rest weren’t sure.
- About a third of those in the survey still have a family member under 21, so we know they are interested in helping their family member socialize after he or she leaves school.
The survey helped confirm for us that our plans for Sharon’s Place will fill a real need. Starting with social and recreational activities this year, we plan a day program, Enterprise Training Academy, and eventually a live-in facility.
We know there are other loving, Christ-centered, donor-supported organizations in north and east Texas that are doing all they can to help special needs adults, but the need far outstrips their ability to accommodate everyone. That’s why we hope to have Sharon’s Place operating at full speed as quickly as possible.