In the summer of 2004, a group of community leaders from Montgomery County, Texas, began plans to create a consortium of 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organizations collectively called "Texas New Community".

Each of TNC's consortium members provide a specific service to adults with mental retardation and related conditions that will help them live independently in a community of their peers.

VISION
TNC will develop a self-sustaining master-planned community named "New Danville" for high-functioning mentally-challenged adults

LOCATION
New Danville will be developed on 42 acres on Shepard Hill Road, five miles northwest of Willis, Texas in beautiful historic Montgomery County.

UNIQUE CONCEPT
TNC's concept is unique from other private communities in that it will provide affordable housing and offer a holistic approach to services to enable mentally-challenged adults to live independently.

PURPOSE
TNC's a holistic approach in providing services to adults with mental retardation and related conditions will enable them to live, learn, work and grow emotionally, socially and spiritually with their peers as independently as possible in a caring, protective environment.

Programs - Education and Community Outreach

New Danville Will provide educational and pre-vocational training opportunities at the Life Learning Center that will encourage physical activity, build interpersonal relationships, enhance social skills and promote health & safety awareness. We are currently accepting applications for the following weekday programs:

Miniature Horse Therapy: Proven to be very beneficial for individuals with disabilities, trainees who choose to work in this program will learn to care for miniature horses and donkeys. Instructors will teach basic animal care including feeding, grooming, cleaning and maintaining stalls, pastures and work arenas. In addition to daily care, trainees will have the opportunity to participate in annual parades and other community events plus visit schools, senior groups, elder care residents and hospital patients.

Gardening/Landscaping: With the permission and guidance of Texas A&M University - Agriculture Extension Center, trainees will be taught Enviro-Friendly™ gardening and master gardener programs. Trainees will plan, develop and cultivate vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers plus establish compost piles and operated related gardening equipment. Trainees will have the opportunity to participate in county fairs, farmer's markets and other public arenas to showcase and sell the fruits of their labor.

Social Skills Training: Will be given a variety of social skills activities and instruction to better prepare them for age appropriate social interaction such as self-awareness, self-confidence, achieving independence, good citizenship, problem solving and appropriate social behavior.

Health & Safety Training: Trainees will be given a variety of activities and instruction to prepare them for independence as it relates to their and others health and safety such as golf cart driving, safety rules, first aid, and recognizing danger.

Future Programs: Future programs include a (a) commercial kitchen that will operate a bakery, cheese production and small lunch service to the public, (b) silk screen printing, (c) embroidery, (d) laundry service, and (e) vehicle and equipment maintenance. These future programs will be offered as both pre-vocational and job training as well employment opportunities.

For more information, visit www.newdanville.org.