While most high school graduates transition to college or venture out into the workforce, some with mental disabilities are unable to make that leap. Special Angels of The Woodlands gives those young adults an opportunity to remain active, enjoy activities and improve their social skills.

"We want them to experience the same life that everybody else gets to have," Special Angels teacher Mickey Chesnutt said.

Thelma Braddock founded Special Angels of The Woodlands in 2001, Chesnutt said. Braddock's daughter and foster daughter have Down Syndrome, and she wanted to create a program for them to stay active after graduation instead of sitting at home and watching television.

Care supervisor Toni De Leeuw said the group has 32 mentally disabled adults ranging from 18 to 69 years old who have been diagnosed with disabilities including Down syndrome and autism. The group meets from 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. De Leeuw and Chesnutt said the organization works on improving the members' social skills while emphasizing hygiene, teaching history and discussing bullying, among other lessons.

Activities range from games to learning about the presidents, "Tell a Joke Day" and making ice cream to trips to the Houston Zoo, basketball at Legends Sports Complex and trips to the South Regional Library.

"We try to work with their social skills and make it interactive," De Leeuw said.

Most of the instructors and board members have children involved with the program so parents feel comfortable leaving their children there all day, De Leeuw and Chesnutt said.

"We mother all of them," Chesnutt said. "They feel safe with us."

Although Special Angels had a permanent location in Spring for more than four years, De Leeuw said the rent became too expensive, and the organization is temporarily located at the Grace Presbyterian Church in The Woodlands. Special Angels' membership is at capacity and cannot expand until they find a new location.

De Leeuw said the organization receives much of its funding from fundraisers, which includes the annual Touched by an Angel gala every April. She said the instructors are not paid, but the group needs money for its activities and for the maintenance and gas for their three buses.

"If you are the parent of a special needs child, it's hard to get a job, so how do you pay for this?" she said. "[Helping Special Angels] is an opportunity for people to help those who cannot help themselves."

Special Angels of The Woodlands, Grace Presbyterian Church, 8989 Woodlands Parkway, The Woodlands 281-292-2073, www.specialangelsofthewoodlands.org