Conroe-based Angel Reach is responding to the need for housing at-risk youth by constructing Angel Reach Village, a community under construction in Conroe. The duplexes in Angel Reach Village are expected to open around August with infrastructure and utilities complete as of late March, Angel Reach Executive Director Jean Radach said in an interview.
Angel Reach, a Conroe faith-based organization assisting youth ages 16-24 who are aging out of foster care and at risk of homelessness, broke ground on the village in Conroe alongside The Signorelli Co. in October 2021. When complete, the first phase of Angel Reach Village will feature 16 duplexes with 32 beds. According to a March 22 news release from The Signorelli Co., First America Homes—the company's homebuilding division—had begun construction on the first eight duplexes with each home spanning 550 square feet.
The additional duplexes planned in the first phase will be constructed by HomeAid and Gracepoint Homes, constructing three and five duplexes, respectively, Radach said.
“It is true privilege to be able to deliver half of the homes in this phase of the community,” First America Homes President Dave Barnhart said in the release. “This is a near and dear charity to the organization and our team. We are confident this new community will help Angel Reach continue to fulfill their vision of helping children and youth achieve their full potential.”
The Signorelli Co and its team members have contributed $2.2 million in donations, services and expertise toward the project, according to the release. Consultants from LJA Engineering, CE Barker, GBI Surveying, Beyer Construction, Storm Water Solutions and Sammons Construction have also worked on the project.
The Signorelli Co. estimates its duplexes from First America Homes will be completed in May, according to the release.
“Our purpose of creating better places to enrich lives and lifestyles was truly fulfilled through this partnership with Angel Reach,” Danny Signorelli, president and CEO of The Signorelli Co., said in the release. “We admire the impact Angel Reach has already made in the Conroe area and statewide. We are honored to be part of Angel Reach Village and are humbled by its potential to transform many young lives in the community.”
Radach said Angel Reach received 35 referrals, or requests for assistance, in February alone with a waiting list of 15 youth to help. Referrals come through schools, churches, siblings and other parties requesting assistance for youth in the community, Radach said.
"I wish there wasn't that kind of a need, but I really feel like Angel Reach is just a huge support system to these kids who don't have family, and at 18, they're pretty much lost without the support they need," Radach said. "There's an increase in the number of kids going into foster care. The housing part of it is just the beginning, because the transitional living program services—the wrap-around services—really help fill some of those gaps and needs that they kids have."
Beyond housing, Angel Reach also provides case management services and helps residents with transportation, life skills classes, tutoring and counseling; receiving their driver's license; earning a GED; and finding a job, Radach said.
"Sometimes they'll still want to go back to [high] school and get their diploma, which we can help them with. We'll transport them, etc. We kind of fill the gap of being a parent," she said. "I don't think the housing would help break the generational cycle alone."
A second phase is also planned to expand Angel Reach Village's capacity in the future, Radach said. Angel Reach purchased 3.216 acres from the city of Conroe for $500 in May 2022 to expand the village's foot print, according to previous reporting.
"We'll get Phase 1 ... up and running and make sure that we have the program and the support system wrapped around the housing before we start on Phase 2," Radach said.
