About Aldersgate
During the 1985 National Congress of United Methodist Men a group of men from the Central Texas Conference were moved when they learned of a special ministry that had begun in another state. This very successful ministry consisted of a residential and vocational center developed to provide housing and employment for mentally challenged adults. The men also discovered that there was a growing need in Texas to provide a similar type of center. In 1987, the Central Texas Conference, inspired by the vision of the United Methodist Men, approved the development of this special ministry.
Soon after the concept of Aldersgate Enrichment Center was approved, a selection committee visited many central Texas communities in search of a location for the new center. The committee assessed each community’s resources to determine the availability of health facilities, utilities, church support, community acceptance and support of mentally challenged citizens. While there were many communities that excelled in these areas, Brownwood, TX, was finally chosen as the location for the center. In 1988, Aldersgate Enrichment Center was presented a deed to 150 acres provided by the Brownwood Industrial Foundation for the new center. The AEC receives no direct financial support from the Central Texas Conference and is dependent upon support from individual churches, foundations, civic groups, individual donations and the income from the manufacturing at the AEC.
Through the United Methodist Men’s dream and their continued support, Aldersgate Enrichment Center has become a unique vocational community that offers a safe work environment where individual challenges are met and overcome.
This Christian-based facility is designed to help those individuals with limited abilities maintain their dignity and reach their full intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual potentials.
Through the United Methodist Men’s dream and their continued support, Aldersgate Enrichment Center has become a unique vocational community that offers a safe work environment where individual challenges are met and overcome.
This Christian-based facility is designed to help those individuals with limited abilities maintain their dignity and reach their full intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual potentials.
Our Campus
Aldersgate Enrichment Center is located 3 miles southeast of Early, Texas. The campus is located on 150 pastoral acres of partially wooded ranchland. The campus is secured and is located in a rural setting away from the hustle and bustle of city and/or urban living. The two residences, housing 21 Associates are nestled among oak trees on a rise that faces the beautiful Texas sunsets and are in easy walking distance of the workshops and campus activities. There are 5 additional buildings, an administration, dining and activity building and four workshops. Aldersgate serves approximately 72 Associates. Twenty one live in two group homes on the campus and the other 50 + commute to the campus daily from surrounding communities to work.
Aldersgate provides a variety of employment opportunities ranging from bench-type assembly work, pallet construction, a variety of manufacturing jobs and opportunities to work in the surrounding area maintaining roadside parks and keeping the roadsides free of litter.
Our full-time staff is specially trained to meet the needs of our Associates. All activities, work or recreational, are fully supervised by a staff member(s) at all times. All of our Associates are expected to work in an area of their choosing based on their qualifications. They are paid for their labor. A portion of the monies earned through employment may be applied toward the tuition balance. Each six hour workday starts with a short devotional held in the dining room. All associates gather in the dining room for lunch which is provided to the associates at no cost.
Aldersgate provides a variety of employment opportunities ranging from bench-type assembly work, pallet construction, a variety of manufacturing jobs and opportunities to work in the surrounding area maintaining roadside parks and keeping the roadsides free of litter.
Our full-time staff is specially trained to meet the needs of our Associates. All activities, work or recreational, are fully supervised by a staff member(s) at all times. All of our Associates are expected to work in an area of their choosing based on their qualifications. They are paid for their labor. A portion of the monies earned through employment may be applied toward the tuition balance. Each six hour workday starts with a short devotional held in the dining room. All associates gather in the dining room for lunch which is provided to the associates at no cost.