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June 12 was a very special day for 26-year-old Daniel Chavez, one that he had anticipated for months. His tuxedo was rented, his girlfriend Sonya Kilgo was lined up to accompany him, and his evening was planned. He couldn’t wait for the 5th Annual Opportunites Prom for people with disabilities to begin.
A resident of a Cleburne group home, Daniel has been on his own for five years. He has learned a great deal about being self-sufficient, but he has discovered even more about true friendship. The supportive network at Keene-based Community Opportunities Inc. (COI) has taught him both. Daniel’s father, Mike Chavez, said COI’s opportunities like day training and pre-vocational programming help satisfy his desire for independence. "It has allowed him to get out from underneath our umbrella, and he’s created some relationships with other individuals not only from his group home but from other group homes. They see each other at the workshops every day."Those workshops are fruits of the labor of Jan Hannah, founder and former executive director of COI’s parent company, Community Living Concepts. Pam Masters, COI’s director of outreach and development, said Hannah’s followers seek to "continue the legacy" through efforts like a volunteer program that encourages the disabled to thrive in the community of their choice. "We strive to help them understand the meaning of community and their responsibility to be a part of their hometown," said Masters. "We work with groups and businesses to offer them opportunities to work with Meals on Wheels, animal shelters, nursing homes, day care centers and [even] a disaster services organization."COI also develops ways for the surrounding community to interact with the disabled. Camp COI builds tolerance and inclusion by combining kids aged 8-14 from all ability levels. "One of the biggest perks is that they lose much of their fear of people with developmental disabilities," said Masters. Another effort provides local Metroplex police academies with free instruction aimed at helping their students understand how to deal with folks who have developmental disabilities. Friends and supporters like these join families, volunteers, and COI staff to help with the Opportunities Prom. In its five-year span, attendance has tripled. "They open it up to just about anybody to be invited," said Janet Payne, whose Burleson business, Flowers by Fran, donated corsages for the event. She said the prom is especially appealing to older students and young adults, because it fills a social void in the lives of those with disabilities. Payne’s 16-year-old son, Taylor, joined friends from Burleson High School and their beloved bus driver, Sue Renfro, who was also the prom committee’s decoration chairman. After the opening promenade, they gathered for photos, then sat down to a wonderful meal provided by local benefactor Ben E. Keith.Carriage rides began after dinner, with services donated by Diamond G Carriage. Then Daniel Chavez’s mother, Gloria, warned, "When the music starts, stand back!" Almost everyone agreed that, next to getting dressed up, the opportunity to dance was the biggest draw. Taylor, who according to his mom, "... is social and loves to dance and cut up," moved with lightning speed across the expansive floor of the SPJST lodge in Burleson. Two of his best friends, 16-year-old Megan Meissner and 14-year-old Jacob Tidwell, stood nearby, taking it all in, as did Jacob’s mother, Deanna Tidwell, a first-time attendee. "It’s already been a great experience; people are so genuine," she said. "I mean, everybody’s happy and kind. We don’t get to experience that a lot in our world. It’s an eye-opener for us to meet these kids and see how much fun they have."Back at the Chavez table, Gloria asked Mike, "Tell the truth ... Daniel’s had his tuxedo on since what time?" His dad answered, "He would’ve had it on this morning if I had allowed him to, but about 3:30 or 4, he was dressed and ready to go." Daniel, flanked by Sonya and his friend Tito Garcia, smiled broadly, displaying an enthusiasm that testified to the life-changing magic of COI.
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