Like most any child, Kaleb grins as he bounces in a room-sized inflatable.

But he and the other youngsters who live at Horizons Residential Care Center have more challenges than most children. All are severely or profoundly mentally retarded; many have other disabilities and are non-ambulatory.

“Sometimes I can get him to hold my finger,” Horizons President and CEO David Adams says with an affectionate smile.

Horizons’ habilitation specialists help enhance the lives of the program’s 30 children and 10 adults, who live at another location. The children’s program is housed in what was the Memorial Industrial School — an orphanage for African-American children. In 1973, Horizons was incorporated thanks to the vision of founders Mary Ellen Haley, Mary Joe Hanes, and Ann Ring, along with the Junior League of Winston-Salem.

Medicaid covers the cost for children to live at Horizons, which has its own school, gym, and media center. Additional grants and donations have funded state-of-the-art extras: a sensory room filled with
different colors and textures, and a new outdoor therapeutic recreation area with a wheelchair swing.

“It’s big enough to have some resources,” Adams says, “but it’s small enough to offer a lot of personal care.”

Nancy and Pat Grantham’s daughter, Anne Stuart, has lived at Horizons since 1994. “She’s definitely thrived on the routine, the support, and the interaction,” says Nancy, who serves on Horizons’ board of directors. “They want what’s best for the child. They give of themselves over and over. We are thankful every single day.”

Local Grammy-winning singer Chris Murrell will perform at a gala benefit for Horizons on October 23. For information, call 336-767-2411 or go to horizonscenter.org