The Arc of Katy

"[Community service] helps make life satisfying to our participants, and they enjoy serving albeit in sometimes a limited capacity," Lattal said. "In many cases these are young adults who might otherwise be sitting at home with nothing to do."

The Arc's day program and summer camp benefit from a partnership with the Katy Family YMCA for the use of its facilities, including Camp Cinco. The day program is run by six full-time staff as well as about 75 volunteers to help the approximately 30 young adults enrolled in the program.

Day program activities include traveling to museums, a monthly meal out at a restaurant, visiting the Houston Police Department's mounted police stables and Astros and Sugar Land Skeeters baseball games. In addition, area companies put on workshops covering subjects from arts and crafts to exercise. Volunteers and teachers from KISD are a vital part of the summer program.

As Katy continues to grow, there is an increasing need for the services The Arc provides, Lattal said

"We can only take a little more than 30 participants into our current facilities. We hope to bring in additional money so we can accommodate more people," he said. "One long-term goal is a facility of our own."

Lattal said that helping young adults with IDD is a gratifying experience for volunteers, parents, their children and financial donors.

"They are very loving and caring individuals," he said. "They are very enjoyable to work with, they love the program and it helps make life satisfying."

The Arc of Katy, P.O. Box 6133, Katy, 281-492-8745, www.thearcofkaty.org