Who We Are
Our Mission
Valiantly
Overcome
Individual
Challenges
Everyday
The Mission of the Independence Village is to be the VOICE for our residents who valiantly overcome individual challenges everyday. Our Vision is to help our Residents achieve their VOICE and to experience the highest level of personal independence possible.
The Independence Village provides safe, affordable housing for adults with mental and/or physical challenges and maintains a healthy, happy home that fosters community involvement and independent lifestyles.
The Independence Village is a unique facility, in that it evolved from the needs of its own community to provide quality residential services at a reasonable rate. Our adults with disabilities desire to live as independently as possible within their home community where they maintain the support of family and friends. A family-style atmosphere is supported with the safety of supervision. Residents are encouraged to be as independent as possible and to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle that is focused on them.
Independence Village began in 1982, when Gladys Stephenson placed an ad in local newspapers, calling a meeting of those parents who shared concern for the long-term care and residential needs for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Sixteen parents of adult children with disabilities from Galveston County responded and later that year formally organized as a nonprofit entity under the name HRA Inc. (Helping Residents Achieve). With an elected Board of Directors, a willingness to volunteer time and effort, this dedicated group was intent on safeguarding the future of their children by building a local, affordable assisted living facility.
In October of 1992 after a decade of hard work and community support, the shared dream to provide quality long-term residential care for adults with developmental and physical disabilities was realized and the doors were opened.
In 2006, the Board of Directors voted to change the name to “The Independence Village” to more accurately reflect the underlying mission of The Village: to provide a safe, affordable facility for its residents, where independence for each resident is fostered, and where they are encouraged to engage in the communities that surround and support them.
Gladys Stephenson
Founder
The Village grew and flourished for many years, and in 2017, once again, the Board of Directors revisited the mission of The Village. While maintaining its high standards for providing quality residential living, the Board reframed the mission statement to reflect a more personal, individual-centered focus. The Village's new mission is to be the VOICE for the Residents:
Valiantly
Overcome
Individual
Challenges
Every day!
Each of us at The Independence Village strives to help our residents achieve their VOICE!
Our History
Board of Directors
Jennifer Ott
President
Attorney at Law
Lauren Kaiser
Secretary
Steadfast Real Estate Group
Janice Johnston
Director
Texas City ISD
Bill McGarvey
Director
Self-Employed (Investor)
Fred Kindervater
Vice President
Marathon GBR
Cathy Copeland
Director
League City Chamber
Mary Ann Klusman
Director
Retired
Hon. Rebecca Millo
Director
10th Judicial District Court
Connor Doyle
Treasurer
Texas First Bank
Cameron Hawkins
Director
Enterprise Holdings
Pam Long
Director
DL PL Enterprises, LLC
J.B. Pritchett
Director
City of La Marque
Community Advisory Board
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Mr. Emken Linton, Chairman, Advisory Board - Emken Linton Funeral Home
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Mrs. Brenda Allen - Retired
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Mr. Jack Click – Retired, Associated Credit Union of Texas
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Mr. Bim Crowder – Crowder Funeral Homes
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Mr. Randy Dietel - President, National Pipe & Piling, Inc.
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Mr. Don Gartman - Retired, Galveston County Economic Alliance
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Mr. Jerry LeBlanc - Binnacle Development & Construction
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Ms. Sandy McDermott - Retired
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Mrs. Genevieve McGarvey – Attorney, McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Appfel
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Ms. Georgia Meyer-Barzilay - Co-Owner, Karat Creations on 6th St.
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Mrs. Joyce Newman, Retired
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Ms. Sharon Olmedo - Social Worker - formerly with Memorial Hermann HC
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Mrs. Catherine O. (“Kitty”) Potter - Retired, Texas First Bank
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Mr. Jack Roady - District Attorney, Galveston County
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Mr. Phil Roberts - Attorney, Mabry, Herbeck & Roberts
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Mrs Carolyn Rose - Gulf Coast Center- Retired
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Mrs. Laura Selman - Retired, Beeler Mansky Clinic
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Mrs. Hazel Surratt - Retired, T. A. Newman Construction
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Mr. Rusty Tidwell - Owner, Greater Houston Office Products
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Ms. Peggy Zahler - PZ Consulting
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Mrs. Dana Zeringue - Retired, Valero Texas City
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Ex Officio Members
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Mr. Chris Delesandri – Retired, Executive Director, United Way Galveston County Mainland
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In Memoriam
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Mr. Roy Halle - 1999-2021
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Mr. Mike Johnson - 1998-2021
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Mr. J. T. Floyd - 1998-2023
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The Independence Village would like to thank our 30th Anniversary Co-Chairs Mr. Randy Dietel and Mr. Emken Linton for their leadership and commitment during our 30th Anniversary year of celebration in 2022.​
Our Staff
Village Leadership
Judy Slocumb
Executive Director
Kellie Rae VanZandt
Office Administrator
Kimberly Hunter, LVN
Medication Manager
Staff
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Sharon Johnson – Shift Leader
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Perla Garcia - Kitchen Manager​
Royce James - Maintenance
Attendants
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Gwen Bellow
Angie Crookshank
Yolanda Cruz
Estella Herrera
Lakeshia McClenan​
Shaddai Oros
Steve Oros
Sharmelle Twymon
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