Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Fruge.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Donna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
On June 4, 2012, The Summerhouse first opened its doors as a full-time daily educational program encompassing necessary life skills, social and emotional skills, functional academics and vocational training focused on entry into community-based employment by a small group of 4 volunteers and 6 clients. Since then we have incrementally increased our client base as our program has proven successful. The client to staff ratio is 3:1 so our clients with significant learning and communication challenges get the education and support they need.
This work is deeply personal to me. As my daughter, Summer, neared the end of high school I became frustrated with the lack of post-high school learning options. I searched for a local program that would provide Summer with a sense of purpose and drive as well as a group of peers. It became apparent that there was a void in specific initiatives that both support and teach young people with intellectual disabilities during their evolution into adult life.
The Summerhouse distinctively focuses on 18-29-year-old individuals with intellectual disabilities during the vulnerable transition from a structured high school environment to adulthood where they must take a more significant part in organizing their own lives. The focus is to provide guidance and support early in adulthood so they will gain greater self-sufficiency without being utterly dependent on governmental assistance.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh my…. what has not been a struggle? One of the most challenging hurdles has been educating the community about the “hidden gems of Houston,” their capabilities, skills, knowledge, and value to our community. Dismantling the old stereotypes and myths about individuals with disabilities. Conveying the message, that has been backed by research, that the presence of an intellectual disability is not a reliable predictor of people’s aspirations for their lives. Think about your own life and all that makes it rich and enjoyable: the relationships you have, the places you go, the groups you are part of, the activities you enjoy, and the contributions you make. People with ID want the very same things-a satisfying job, close relationships, a comfortable and safe place to live, a college degree, involvement in their community, friends they can count on, a reliable way to get around, a chance to give something back, and an opportunity to be part of caring communities.
Securing a larger space/building to grow. Our waiting list is long which indicates families in Houston are desperate for this type of program.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Summerhouse story. Tell us more about the business.
The Summerhouse provides employment, job training, quality of life skills, advocacy, self-determination, and behavioral support services to individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Using these fundamental principles, The Summerhouse has built creative and compelling programming that has changed and touched the lives of our members and their families.
Each member has a customized growth plan, including the input of family, friends, staff, and caregivers. The programmatic focus is based on an experiential learning model that provides a meaningful educational plan. We developed our program based on a model that affords choices for individuals to transition and live a thriving adulthood. Each day we tailor 6.5 hours of learning objectives, and we continually reassess each member’s preferences and progress. Depending on their choices, members are given the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning activities that occur both on-site and in the community. This choice model allows members to gain and maintain cognitive skills, refine motor skills, achieve measurable goals, encourage skill development, and emphasize continued growth in the community.
I am most proud of our business enterprise, Shred for Independence. Shred for Independence is a paper shredding, document destruction vocational program created in harmony with The Summerhouse. This vocational program provides training, employment and personal growth to young adults with disabilities post-high school. In 2015, Houston Independent School District reported 16,302 students accessed special education services. Of this group, 6.2% or 1,011 students are now graduates. These young folks need jobs! They need to be engaged, productive members of society! Shred for Independence provides just that. An opportunity, including those with the most severe challenges, to receive vocational training and work as paper destruction technicians in a community setting.
Shred for Independence is currently a full-service, professional paper shredding company with a customer base of over 50 for-profit and nonprofit customers. Upon admission to The Summerhouse, individuals begin assessment and training with Shred for Independence.
Those who quickly master critical skills needed for community employment move on. Others, whose level of need may inhibit competitive employment, are offered a position with Shred for Independence.
In the Greater Houston area, several adult day/transition programs exist. However, many programs focus on leisure learning and life skills rather than providing specific, customized vocational services needed for our clients to learn new skills. Also, many vocational services offered can be isolated and center-based and do not connect with the outside community at large where staffing ratios can be 20:1. Programs can even have a wide age range from 18-75+ with all age groups mixed. This does not offer an opportunity to have an appropriate peer group, age-appropriate friendships and receive individualized instruction and support.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I love working with persons with disabilities and am very passionate about The Summerhouse, and its mission. I am driven and work very hard but consider “luck” contributing to the success of The Summerhouse. We have tremendous support from the community, and as a small, grass-roots nonprofit I think our fundraising efforts to be very successful which has allowed the opportunity for growth and expansion.
Because of personal investment, commitment, business expertise and the work ethic by many, The Summerhouse has a powerful team that includes staff, board members, and community partnerships. I think that is pretty lucky.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1814 Columbia
Houston, TX 77008 - Website: www.summerhousehouston.org
- Phone: 832-200-6158
- Email: info@summerhousehouston.org
- Instagram: @Summerhousehouston
- Facebook: /Summerhousehouston
- Twitter: @Summerhousehou
- Other: www.shredforindependence.com
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
