Woman's calling helps adults with special needs

Alma de la Garza heard her calling nine years ago.

With no experience running a business, she started Options Inc., a daycare center for adults with mental and physical disabilities.

“This is what God wanted me to do all along,” she said. “He knew I could handle it. That I would be good at it and he’s been good to me.”

De la Garza recognized a hole in the care available for people with disabilities. For 12 years, schools provide a support network for parents and children, teaching students life skills and giving parents a break from round-the-clock care. But once a child graduates that support, for the most part disappears, and parents are left with difficult choices.

Adult daycare is an alternative, but it does little in the way of fostering growth for people with disabilities. De la Garza’s program is different. It focuses on opening up opportunities for people with disabilities. She works to give her 67 clients, who range in age from 20 to 65, more options and opportunities in life. Unlike other adult daycare programs, the adults at Options Inc. are enrolled in a type of school.

The center opened in Mission and eventually moved to McAllen. Clients come from all over the Upper Valley.

On a recent morning, in one classroom five students played a matching game with the help of their teacher, Olga Garcia.

“Pick it up in your hand,” Garcia said. “Good job. Now it’s your turn.”

With an endless supply of energy, Garcia coached her students through the process of matching pictures. She encouraged when they grew frustrated and applauded as they succeeded.

“I love my job,” she said. “When I go home and put my head on the bed, I think that I helped them be more independent at home and out in the community.”

In another classroom, Maria Guerrero stitched green thread into a butterfly pattern, Lupita Solis made a circle with bright pink thread and

Noe Guerra wrote out the days of the week.

“I love the crafts, activities, cleaning and sweeping,” Solis, 28, said. “I love to come here so much.”

Solis, like many of the people enrolled in the program has learned new skills that could one day lead to employment. There is a bed in one of the rooms, where participants learn to make the bed, change sheets and fold towels. Other clients vacuum, sweep and wash floors.

“Here they are able to do lots of things,” de la Garza said. Many clients leave with a sense of achievement. For some it’s that they were able to use the restroom by themselves, for others it’s weight loss, and still others now know their address and phone number and who to call in case of emergencies.

“Most parents say they notice a difference,” de la Garza said.

Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.