Special Angels of The Woodlands

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.