From Black and White to Color
photos and images courtesy of BiG
In honor of the three year anniversary in heaven for GracIe Kiltz, BiG will break ground soon on Grace Place, an independent living community for special needs adults.
When Erin Kiltz, the Founder of BiG, envisioned Grace Place, she saw it as a home for her daughter. Today, she is thrilled that it will eventually be home to more than 100 individuals who are changing the way the world looks at the special needs population by thriving in an environment that sets them up for success.
GRACIE’S LEGACY
Erin affirms BiG’s purpose has always been to instill dignity and respect. “That was how I felt as a mom,” she says. “I was always in awe that God would entrust Gracie to me and it was my privilege to serve her because, truly, she was teaching me the greatest life lessons. She was so joyful and present, and she taught me to be still. Today, when I spend one-on-one time with Citizens, I realize God continues to use these amazing individuals to teach specific lessons to all of us.”
Erin says she sees many purposes being met at Grace Place. “That has been my plan from the beginning. For a long time the only option for adults with special needs was a nursing home or institutional setting. I want this to be a place of peace for parents; that they can have full confidence knowing, when they go to glory, that their child or sibling will be able to thrive for a lifetime. We also plan to have spaces available for other individuals across the neurological spectrum; perhaps a person who develops MS and needs support and community after the death of a spouse.”
At the same time, Grace Place will be a place for learning and immersion; internships or practicums for nurses or neurology pre-med students. Erin says, “Grace Place will offer many residential living options and will provide total immersion for those who wish to learn.”
Click here to see BiG go from Black and White to Color
GRACE PLACE
Just eight short minutes from Georgetown and beautifully planned on 127 acres, this interdependent living community will be filled with unconditional love and support, and made up of large and tiny-homes, a chapel, and a gathering place for residents. Plus, Citizens will enjoy plenty of recreation at the outdoor movie theater, splash pad, and pet resort, as well as vocational and educational opportunities on campus.
Adjacent to the chapel, a special events venue will provide revenue streams for BiG and jobs for the Citizens as they welcome the public to Grace Place for weddings, corporate retreats, and celebrations of all kinds. “These amenities will allow us to build relationships with and serve the greater community.”
Director of Core Services Luke Ellis agrees, “Grace Place will be divided into thirds, each with a specific function that incorporates natural features of the land and is designed to keep Citizens safe, healthy, and happy. They can meet in the common areas, walk to worship, and live interdependently with house parents or care givers in a vibrant community. Plus, the eastern third will have self-sustaining businesses and amenities, including a pet resort and pick-your-own sunflowers. Our neuro-diverse community will be a success thanks to the interdependence of the individuals leveraging everyone’s complementary strengths and weaknesses to fully realize everyone’s God-given purpose.”
Erin adds, “We aren’t experimenting with Grace Place; our model is already working at the café and store; we will just be doing it in a much larger space.”
DARLA’S STORY
Darla is one of the Citizens looking forward to living at Grace Place. She spent most of her adult years disconnected from society. Having felt isolated as most of her friends graduated high school and went off to college or started careers, Darla had no social outlets outside of church. Following the death of her parents, she moved to Central Texas to live with her sister, and became a Citizen of BiG in 2018.
Darla’s sister, Dyana, says, “We have all witnessed amazing growth in Darla, especially in her willingness to try new things. She went from thinking she couldn’t do anything to saying, ‘I can do it…by myself,’ while beaming with pride. Her self-confidence is incredible and something I have never seen in her until now. Darla is just so full of joy every day.”
At BiG, Darla quickly grew from reserved and lacking in self-confidence to an ambassador for BiG. Her favorite jobs are working in the café and gift shop. She also serves as a Citizen host for public tours.
GOLF BENEFIT
“A Decade of BiG” is this year’s annual fundraiser, October 11. The focus for the annual benefit is to raise support and sponsorship for the cause. Every Citizen participates in the campaign, which provides funding for the community’s yearly operating expenses.
Instead of a typical pay-to-play golf tournament, each Citizen serves as a team captain, with the goal to raise $10,000. BiG attempts to partner each Citizen with a local business, individuals, or groups who will rally alongside them; send out awareness letters, ask others to consider supporting their captain, and share the BiG story.
Once committed, a sponsor has a team of four. Together, each helps a Citizen share his or her personal story (see Darla’s story on opposite page) and campaign for the funds. Some businesses, such as Dell, are matching grantors, matching every dollar an employee from Dell contributes.
“It’s a goal,” Erin says. “No one is expected to write a check for $10,000. We would rather you share our story ten times than write a $10,000 check, because God does the rest. People come to the café or the gift shop because they are the best in Georgetown. Then they realize this is something bigger than just a beautiful café; it is a life-giving organization that people naturally want to support.” In the ten years since BiG launched its first Golf Benefit, with the exception of the year they launched their capital campaign, the Citizens of BiG have met their goal, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the program.
Donations to the benefit will be accepted through December 31st. Click here to get more information or sponsor a Citizen.