10/15/2026
We are incredibly excited to announce that we are now members of the South Belt - Ellington Chamber of Commerce.
More than 50 years ago, Bill Williams and Lucille Williams set out to solve a problem their own family faced. Their daughter, Sally Williams, had an intellectual disability, and like many families in the 1960s, they found few options for long-term care, education, and support. Rather than accept the limited services available at the time, they decided to create something better.
In 1967, the couple founded what would become Hope Village, with a vision of providing a permanent home where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities could live safely, learn new skills, and enjoy meaningful lives. Lucille Williams became the driving force behind planning and developing the organization, determined to create a caring environment not only for her daughter but also for others facing similar challenges.
That vision became a reality in 1970 when the first Hope Village home opened its doors to six residents. What began as a single home has grown into a community that continues to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across Texas.
Today, Hope Village provides far more than housing. Residents, affectionately known as *Villagers,* have access to educational programs, job training, recreational activities, and opportunities to build friendships and independence. The organization operates residential homes with around-the-clock support, along with a developmental center where participants can learn workplace and life skills, explore creative interests, and engage in daily activities designed to help them reach their full potential.
Over the years, the campus has expanded into an approximately 18-acre community that includes residential homes, educational facilities, recreational spaces, workshops, and gathering areas. The mission remains much the same as it was when the Williams family first imagined Hope Village nearly six decades ago: to provide a loving, safe, and supportive place where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live, learn, and work with dignity and purpose.
The South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to welcome them as a Nonprofit Level Investor!
