why we do what we do
Brookwood in Georgetown is a very “out of the box” innovative vocational community for adults with special needs where everything we make we sell in a beautiful high end gift shop, cafe and online store. We want to change the way our world views this population by taking the "status quo” of providing these individuals with custodial care to these individuals creating beautiful, marketable items to sell to help sustain the vocational community they enjoy everyday. They have become artisans, bakers, gardeners, card makers, jewelry makers, and more.
Mission
- To provide an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging and validates dignity and respect for adults with disabilities.
- To change the way the world views adults with special needs.
Vision
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To build a vocational and residential community where our Citizens with disabilities will continue to learn, work and live; being celebrated and empowered in a God-centered environment as they engage in meaningful work and service.
Values
GOD RICH Core Values
Grace
Opportunity
Dignity
Respect
Interdependence
Continual Improvement
Honesty
Timeline
October 2010
Inspired by their daughter, Gracie, the Kiltz family begins a journey to find a community that affirms worth and dignity for adults with special needs and discovered The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas.
March 2011
Inspired by The Brookwood Community, Erin Kiltz begins a pilot program- LIGHT Texas. Participants make pottery and granola, and plant sunflowers.
November 2011
Brookwood in Georgetown is born! LIGHT Texas becomes BiG- Brookwood in Georgetown- and welcomes its first 8 Citizens at the Georgetown Church of Christ under The Brookwood Community's wing.
October 2012
Brookwood in Georgetown hosts its first Golf Benefit, raising $120,000 for operating expenses.
February 2014
BiG celebrates the creativity of its Citizens at the first Art from the Heart Auction, raising money for scholarships.
January 2015
BiG opens its first satellite campus, BiG LIGHT Texas, at the Georgetown Church of Christ.
May 2016
The Citizen work program moves into newly renovated space at 905 N. Church Street, allowing for more Citizens and more enterprises. The BiG Shop and Café are created to welcome the community in and showcase the talents of BiG Citizens.
March 2017
The BiG Greenhouse opens, giving Citizens the opportunity to learn about propagating and growing plants and providing a local outlet for The Brookwood Community's renowned flowers, plants, and poinsettias.
July 2018
BiG opens its first satellite campus, BiG LIGHT Texas, at the Georgetown Church of Christ.
September 2018
Gracie Kiltz, the inspiration for BiG, goes home to dance with Jesus. Despite our tremendous loss, we see her legacy in the face of every Citizen in our makeshift family.
January 2019
Brookwood in Georgetown opens BiG Bee Cave, the second satellite campus, at Austin Ridge Bible Church in Austin.
August 2019
BiG welcomes 5 Citizens into a pre-pilot residential home.
March 2020
BiG expands into the Amazing Grace Building at 902 N. Myrtle Street, providing more Citizen work space, a commercial kitchen, and administrative offices.
