A vision to help young adults with intellectual disabilities find purpose, promote independence and learn personal growth is on the cusp of becoming a reality.
Dr. Beatriz Porras and her husband, Dr. Alvaro Ryes, understand the difficult journey a child with intellectual disabilities faces. At two years old, their youngest son Marco was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and apraxia. They struggled with the realization that as Marco grew older, his opportunities and resources would be limited. They dreamed of creating a place to encourage a happy, productive, healthy life for their son and other young adults facing similar challenges.
In 2018, Dr. Beatriz Porras spearheaded the conception of Angels’ Castle. Angels’ Castle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves young adults with intellectual disabilities through educational programs, entertainment, medical and therapy services, and compassionate care.
The organization acquired a 22-acre lot with beautiful natural scenery in Springfield Township. After four years of cultivating their mission, fundraising and considerable planning, the team behind Angels’ Castle is excited to announce that they will be breaking ground this coming spring of 2023.
Angels’ Castle will be developed in stages to meet its participants’ needs. Stage one will focus on the day programs, which will offer educational programs from August to May. The curriculum will include reading, writing, math, computer science, art, horticulture and more. The goal is exposure to various disciplines and opportunities so individuals can find their calling. Since this population can sometimes struggle with core skills, this continued education through adulthood can help individuals thrive.
The summer months will strongly emphasize recreational programs, including field trips, swimming, horseback riding and more.
In addition to the educational and recreational programs offered, Angels’ Castle will include satellite businesses such as a working nursery where participants can grow plants and food that they can sell. Angels’ Castle will introduce a culinary program to teach participants how to cook and bake. There will be an on-site bakery and coffee shop that will focus on selling unique pastries, coffee and tea, and a gift shop where the participants can sell the artwork they create.
The culmination of educational, recreational and vocational programs will help to instill confidence among the participants while providing a professional foundation and path forward to a successful and fulfilling life.
To begin, Angels’ Castle will be able to provide day programs to 82 participants. Due to limited space, all participants will need to meet specific criteria that Angels’ Castle will determine.
A groupdbreaking event will be hosted in the spring of 2023. It will be free to all guests and a great opportunity for Angels’ Castle to engage with the community and provide education about the organization’s mission.
There are also plans to launch a recurring event, Opera for Autism. Opera for Autism will seek to not only highlight the Angels’ Castle organization and serve as a solid foundation for its ongoing fundraising campaigns, but to merge an appreciation for music and the arts with a collective, public-spirited movement in advocacy for a good cause. Internationally celebrated opera star, Sophia Grech, a British-Maltese opera singer, is the newest ambassador for Angels’ Castle and will perform at the inaugural event.
In August 2023, Angels’ Castle will host a fundraiser, the Flamenco Party. This ticketed event will pay homage to the Porras-Ryes family roots and will include delicious Spanish-influenced cuisine and beverages and an incredible performance by flamenco dancers accompanied by live music.
Your support can help drive the mission’s success and allow Angels’ Castle to grow and help more young adults with intellectual disabilities.
“We want these children to have continued love and support,” Dr. Porras says. “As their loved ones grow older and are unable to care for them, Angels’ Castle will be able to help fill that void.”
Do you know someone who could benefit from Angels’ Castle? Email angelscastleoh@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/AngelsCastleOhio for more information. Angels’ Castle is located at 2416 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45231.