The nonprofit organization Special Angels of The Woodlands provides adults who face intellectual disabilities a chance to mingle with each other, learn new skills and enjoy an active lifestyle.

The faith-centered organization also offers volunteers a chance to serve their community: it calls its participants “special angels.”

“The angels—these are their peers, these are their friends,” Executive Director Tim Barnes said. “They love being with their friends and meeting new people and learning new skills.”

Those who come into the center have disabilities and disorders that can range from autism to schizophrenia to multiple disabilities. Staff members assist special angels in developing and reaching individualized goals. They range from basic goals like learning how to spell their name correctly, to more complicated life skills.

“Some people are doing math and reading and problem-solving,” Barnes said.

Thelma Braddock founded Special Angels of The Woodlands in 2003. She started the nonprofit because she was looking for a place for her daughter to socialize and be involved, Barnes said.

Braddock’s daughter still participates weekly, he said.

Like Braddock, many of the volunteers are parents or guardians of people with intellectual disabilities, Barnes said.

On days when participants stay in the day activity center, they get the chance to use their hands and flex their creativity to put together different craft projects.

Special Angels of The Woodlands also helps adult participants who come in with an active lifestyle. The organization provides opportunities to do physical activities, such as bowling at Main Event, swimming at the YMCA and working out at Legends Sports Complex.

Having this outlet for the participants can give caregivers a chance to take care of other things while knowing their loved ones are in good hands, Barnes said. With parents or guardians who are caring for their adult children with special needs, it is a 24/7 effort, he said.

There is a small tuition fee and some of the off-site activities require a small fee, Barnes said. But the organization tries to keep things reasonable.

“We’ll make sure no one is ever turned away,” Barnes said. “So if they can’t afford it, we’ll make sure we take care of them.”