HUMBLE – A unique program in Humble ISD to support students with disabilities after high school graduation is getting a new home.
“It’s special in a very, very beautiful way. In a special way,” said Ella Cockrell.
Cockrell has been in the Mosaic Program for three years.
“I just love being in this Mosaic Program because you get to do a lot of things before you actually graduate and take a job,” said Cockrell.
The future couldn’t be brighter for these special education students, 18 to 22 years old, who have qualified for support after high school to transition into adulthood.
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The daily program gives students hands-on experience creating products to sell and preparing them for employment and independent living.
“She’s grown so much that, you know, she comes home and loves to sweep on her own. I don’t ask her to do anything. She comes in and sweeps and she does ask to fold, and she wants to help with the dishes and I think that’s exciting for her,” said mother Genny Cockrell.
The Mosaic Program has mock apartments for the students, including a kitchen, a laundry room, a living room, a bedroom, and there’s even a full restroom where students can learn how to clean and maintain their hygiene.
“We work with those students to help them really become independent livers. So they live on their own. They know how to do that. They know how to shop. They know how to do a budget. They know how to cook. They know how to take care of an apartment. We do all of that here,” said Humble ISD Acting Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown.
The Mosaic Program is getting a new, permanent home.
“We just felt like in the last bond that it was time to provide them a permanent facility, so they really have all that they need in one spot,” said Brown.
Humble ISD just broke ground on a new, two-story, 56,000 square foot facility on Timber Forest Drive.
The new facility will have three mock apartments and a bigger production lab, making a difference for students, like Niko Katindig.
“This Mosaic is the greatest part of my life and I really love to enjoy it,” said Katindig.
Dory Cayten is with The Arc of Harris County and helps care for her sister with special needs. The Arc helps support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Cayten said planning years before graduation is vital.
“I think that a lot of our families are so overwhelmed with life and their child with disabilities that they don’t take time to think about that and it is really important,” said Cayten.
Cayten said programs like Mosaic make all the difference.
“Humble ISD is very fortunate to have a program teaching life skills and helping them to be employable once they’re of age,” said Cayten.
It’s truly making an impact and changing lives.
“It’s been awesome to be here every single day and seeing all the people’s faces and stuff, said Ella Cockrell. “I may want to work at Bath and Body Works and probably travel to Japan.”
Funding for the new building was approved by voters as part of a bond in 2022.
It’s scheduled to open in November 2025.
