Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Howard-Herbein (CEO) and Joanna Burnett (Assistant Executive Director) of Summerhouse Houston.
Summerhouse’s mission is to create personal growth opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities that need a place to belong. Over nine years ago, The Summerhouse (now dba Summerhouse Houston) set out on a journey to change the trajectory of meaningful opportunities for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism in Houston. Founder Donna Fruge wanted something different, something better for her daughter, Summer, when she was finishing her school programming. Donna searched and researched all the day and employment providers in Houston and didn’t find any that met Summer’s needs or Donna’s expectations.
Starting out of her home with Summer and a few of Summer’s friends from school. And then eventually, buying a bungalow in The Heights, Donna established an evidence-based education program and created a curriculum that encompassed necessary life skills, social and emotional skills, functional academics, and vocational training and supports. By developing a distinct experiential learning model, the Summerhouse program afforded choices to young adults with IDD unlike any they have experienced before. She built a useful and powerful program that recognizes the power of community and how relationships have changed and touched the lives of our members, their families, and the communities we call home.
Summerhouse quickly grew to capacity (16 members) and stayed that way for many years. Grateful parents who were lucky enough to get in before a waiting list had to be started still support the program today. They have seen their young adults grow, develop independence, obtain employment, volunteer and give back to their communities, increase communication and socialization skills, and decrease behaviors.
In 2018, due to an extensive waiting list for services, the Summerhouse board took a bold step to expand. Based on the square footage of that campus and the intentional staff to member ratio of 1:4, the only way to offer our program to more individuals in need was to increase our footprint.
After completing a feasibility study, initiating a capital campaign, and obtaining a bridge loan from a board member, Summerhouse purchased an acre of land in Spring Branch (1424 Waseca) and began construction in early 2019 of a new, state of the art, education center. • Our capital campaign funded over 70% of the costs of the land and building. • We had 100% participation from board members and current family members for our capital campaign. • We received significant foundation assistance from The Brown Foundation, William Stamp Farish Fund, M.D. Anderson Foundation, Cross Foundation, Strake Foundation, Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, Halliburton Charity Fund, Stewart Foundation, and AMA Houston. • We receive corporation donations and assistance from TDIndustries, Green Standards, ACE, and Home Depot.
In August 2019, Summerhouse sold its location in The Heights and was able to move into its new location. The completion of the new Summerhouse Houston campus allows our program to increase its member base to 40+ as well as to add additional services, including supported employment and job coaching that has the potential to reach an unlimited number of young adults who need assistance with employment.
The model that Summerhouse Houston has developed that utilizes a 4:1 member/staff ratio allowing for community integration is a self-sustaining model funded by tuition from families and Medicaid waivers when applicable. The model also can support 1:1 training at a community employer sites (supported employment) when needed through our new contracts with Workforce Solutions and Texas Workforce Commission/Vocational Rehabilitation. Since inception (and when not in growth mode), Summerhouse has been able to sustain itself from regular program income with minimal fundraising and grants needed.
Has it been a smooth road?
At 3,422,764 people and counting, Texas ranks second only to California as having the largest population of individuals with disabilities. Of that, 403,536 reside in Harris County alone. Houston Independent School District reports 16,302 students accessing special education services. What happens to these individuals when they graduate? Where do they go? What opportunities do they have once they age out of the school system? When an individual with disabilities turns 22 and ages out of the support systems that have sustained him or her from infancy to adolescence, it’s called the disability cliff. It’s where the law ends, and a dark, uncertain wilderness begins.
Although a significant amount of evidence indicates that integrated employment options, such as supported employment and customized employment, can improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities, cost less than other adult day programs, and generate savings for taxpayers, individuals with disabilities continue to experience numerous challenges associated with participation in the labor force. Their unemployment rate is higher; they are more likely to work part time; and, on average, they earn less than individuals without disabilities (Texas Workforce Investment Council 2016). Most adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are either unemployed or underemployed, despite their ability, desire, and willingness to work in the community. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) regularly reports that the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in the labor force is about one-third that of persons with no disability. On average, workers with disabilities face significant gaps in pay and compensation, compared to workers with no disability.
Texans believe in “pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps”, self-sufficiency, contributing to society, and earning a living. However, for a segment of our population, achieving these values is made nearly impossible by the lack of funding and services to assist persons with disabilities in finding jobs. Texas is currently 50th in the country for services for persons with disabilities. An average state spends $2.76 per capita on supported employment (1.5%), but Texas only spends $.10 per capita (.001%). (Dr. Steven Hall, The Arc’s Positive Futures Conference, November 2016). The majority of Texas dollars to support individuals with disabilities are tied up in 13 state supported institutions that only serve 3,000 people total, leaving tens of thousands of people on waiting lists for community-based services. The cost of maintaining an individual in an institution is $350,000 annually, but providing more integration in the community can cost a fraction of that amount.
One of the greatest concerns of students in special education in Texas leaving school and their families is the lack of integrated, community-based employment options. The majority of students: 1) receive no services after graduation because of lengthy waiting lists for waivers and other funding; 2) are offered only segregated sheltered work at below minimum wage; or 3) are offered segregated group “day habilitation” programs that do not promote employment or community integration.
Summerhouse Houston is committed to directly meeting this vast need. Through strategic, community partnerships, an effective learning environment, and providing quality vocational and life support, these young adults have the opportunity to transition well into more independent adulthood.
Please tell us about the organization.
THE SUMMERHOUSE DIFFERENCE: Summerhouse Houston distinctively focuses on young adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism post-high school. These vulnerable people are transitioning from a structured high school environment into adulthood where they must engage in the responsibility of organizing their lives. Our goal is to provide services early in adulthood to help our members gain greater self-sufficiency and reduce their dependency on governmental assistance.
Summerhouse Houston provides vocational exploration and training, employment, life skills, advocacy, communication and socialization, and self-determination. Using these fundamental principles, Summerhouse Houston has built a creative and compelling programming that has changed and touched the lives of our members and their families.
The programmatic focus of Summerhouse Houston is based on an experiential learning model that utilizes best practices and is data driven. Because of our data proven success, providers, schools, and professionals refer us to their families that dwell in the gap of uncertainty. Summerhouse Houston offers a future to our members by providing their families with a viable option for transitional support and programming. Every step of the way, Summerhouse Houston is increasing awareness of marginalized citizens overlooked by society as a whole and proving this population brings value to our community both during their transition to adulthood and well after.
Our program offers: • An intentional 4:1 member/staff ratio (with 1:1 provided for community employment) • Highly skilled and trained professional staff—all have extensive experience and are UNT credentialed to provide employment supports • Choice of many community integration/participation activities • PATH planning for building positive futures • Online data tracking of Individual Life Planning goals • An extensive health and safety curriculum • Weekly advocacy and leadership training • Weekly small-group “social clubs” to work on communication and socialization skills • Strong parent/family involvement
Who we serve: • 100% of members have an intellectual disability; with 75% also being on the Autism Spectrum • Average age of members: 24.6 years • 100% of members volunteer in the community and/or have paid employment • 100% of members live at home with their families • Members come from all over the city for our program, including as far away as Spring, Katy, and Humble.
We have confirmed through customized employment and community integration, young adults with intellectual disabilities and autism decrease the potential of needing government assistance and increase the likelihood of obtaining a more independent lifestyle. Through Summerhouse Houston’s program, we have customized, facilitated, and emphasized avenues to success in the following ways:
Community integration • Based on the freedom of choice, we facilitate a new kind of post-high school academic model that focuses on community integration. Our model of experiential learning has created customized growth plans and individualized goals for each member. We are out in the community (in small groups) all day long. • We “give back” to our communities in many ways by volunteering weekly at MAM, Meals on Wheels, SCPA, Kid’s Meals, Houston Food Bank, Heights Food Pantry, and others. • We weave strategic skill development and self-advocacy into everything we do throughout the day to emphasize continued growth in the community.
Customized employment • We provide strengths-based vocational discovery and support for our members to learn about employment and their strengths, needs, preferences, and interests. Individuals are provided training onsite at our “Shred for Independence” business, at community volunteer sites, and one on one at various businesses. • Through relationships with local employers, we have created and supported individualized employment opportunities in the home communities of our members. Some of our members are employed at St. Andrews, CVS, Harold’s, Texas Southern University, Baylor College of Medicine, YMCA, KCM, and Yale Street Dog House. • Through strategic partnerships, we emphasize mutually beneficial relationships between Summerhouse Houston members and their employers. See here for a clip: Summer House in partnership with Harold’s Restaurant supports hiring people with IDD: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b275xu2b2y2e1eb/Summer%20House%20in%20partnership%20with%20Harold%27s%20Restaurant%20support%20hiring%20people%20with%20IDD.m4v?dl=0
Health and Fitness • We provide opportunities for individuals to learn about health, fitness, and safety through monthly classes. • All members have a membership to Planet Fitness where we go at least weekly.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We serve individuals from all over Houston/Harris County, with some members coming as far as Humble and Sugarland for our services.
Love best: The diversity and culture–so many opportunities for our members to experience different activities, places to volunteer, and places to work.
Least: The traffic!! Transportation is always a struggle.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1424 Waseca Street
Houston, TX 77055 - Website: www.summerhousehouston.org and www.shredforindependence.com
- Phone: 8322006158
- Email: michelle@summerhousehouston.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Summerhousehouston/
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