The Community Options’ 1st Annual Celebration benefit will be held November 16 at Shoreline Grill. As the premier recognition event for Community Options, we will honor the individuals, companies, and legislators who have done the most to help Community Options achieve its goals. The event will feature lively music, beer, wine and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres. All money raised will go to support people with disabilities.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Community Options, Inc., in collaboration with Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), has been awarded a Department of Labor grant to develop employment opportunities fo rpeople with disabilities within the information technology industry. The austin office of Community Options will receive a portion of the grant and will work with partners, Austin Community college and Austin Software Council, to develop long-term job placements for people with severe disabilities. along with its primary partner, ITAA, Community Options will implement the program in Austin; Central New Jersey; Northern Virginia; and Denver, Colorado.
Anderson and Lanier High School Interior Design classes have "adopted" homes owned by Community Options, Inc. Each class planned, created, and implemented the interior design in a home for people with developmental disabilities in Austin. These individuals are all supported by state funding which is limited to direct services for their personal care. The students were involved as part of National Volunteer Week.
Supplies and materials have been donated from the community and the students are testing out new paint methods, re-framing pictures, and planning their designs based on the preferences of the residents. A variety of materials have been donated from individuals and merchants including The Hardware Store, J.C. Penney, Target, Pier 1, Adobe Pueblo, Art USA, Wallpapers to Go, Deck the Walls, Plants by Design, Callahan’s General Store, Desert Moon, London Fabric, and Michael’s Academy Thrift Shop.
The classes had a wonderful hands-on learning experience and gained the "professional" experience of working with clients and with limited resources. One student, Adrianna Neel, has already stated her interest in becoming an interior designer -- and now she can add this "job" to her resume.
Community Options has recently acquired a new home in Northwest Austin with the help of a HUD grant. The house is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. Debra, who recently moved from the San Antonio State School, enjoys living in her new home and especially likes having her own bedroom.
