Local Firm Helps Some Special Folks Live Life To the Fullest
Ican guarantee that there was no Christmas Party in Fayette County that had more smiles than the one I went to a couple of weeks ago.
I got a special invite to drop by the Christmas Party for Gray Legacy Services employees and clients at the KC Hall.
Formerly known as Kenmar locally, Gray Legacy Services operates 15 small group homes in Fayette County and the surrounding areas for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The clients of those home were having a great time with one another at the lunchtime Christmas Party, but they really started having fun when they started playing music.
The dance floor was packed as they danced their hearts out.
Ken Gray II, who owns Gray Legacy Services along with his wife Denise, are longtime residents of La Grange and are proud of the services they are providing.
And they are doing more and more to enrich the lives of the people they serve.
One corner of the KC Hall was filled with ceramics and artwork the clients made throughout the year. (See sidebar for more on that).
The GLS clients also attend sporting event, music concert, songwriting workshops and subsidized camp experiences.
Much of that enrichment is paid for through the new Mary Gray Foundation, which includes as part of its mission statement “to engage each individual and discover what passion provides for a more meaningful life and to strive to meet that need.”
But the things the GLS residents are learning about are a lot more than just enrichment activities.
“As parents, one of our primary goals for our children is to grow to become independent adults. Our program does just that. We train on independent living skills seven days a week. Those activities encompass subjects like money management, house cleaning skills, socialization skills, shopping, etc. We help that process of maximizing one’s independence,” Ken said.
Kenmar Residential Services was founded in 1986 with just two homes here by Dr. William and Mary Gray, has a long history of supporting individuals with disabilities. Their son, Ken Gray II, has been an integral part in his family’s legacy of providing quality care for the individuals they serve. In 2024 he acquired the La Grange and Gonzales County areas, forming Gray Legacy Services. Ken says this new chapter builds upon the dedication and compassion established by the late “Doc” and Mary Gray, ensuring their legacy of exceptional care continues.
The GLS homes are sixbed facilities. Each individual in these homes has access to various services, including Day Habilitation, independent living skills training, supported employment, nursing, dental, adaptive aids, and others.
“It’s kind of like sending your child off to college,” Ken said. “They have their own space, their own identity and their own independent life. They can go home whenever and as often as they like. Family members are always welcome to visit.”
Those eligible to stay at GLS services/houses are: Adults and children diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet the Level of Care 8 criteria. This means the person must have a valid Determination of Intellectual Disability or qualify under an identified related condition with an IQ of 75 or below. Individuals do not have to be in other services with Gray Legacy Services to qualify for placement in our ICF/ID group homes.
According to a recent report by the The Arc of Texas Whole Person Project, “Hundreds of thousands of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)— such as autism, down syndrome, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder—also experience mental illness. But the state is ill-equipped to help them, leaving families ... with nowhere to turn.”
Ken said GLS currently has openings in their homes for more folks, but many people simply aren’t aware of the opportunities these folks have to stay in this community.
Gray Legacy Services is located at 2004 S US Highway 77 in La Grange. Contact them at 979-968-8820 or email info@gls-tx.com Their website is www.gls-tx.com