Home By Choice
Program Description
Home By Choice (HBC) is an initiative funded by the Texas Health and Human Services that creates a pathway to community-based living for those who no longer wish to reside in a nursing home. Volar’s HBC Team has years of experience assisting people with disabilities move into their own apartment or with loved ones. There are various community-based supports that are offered through this program:
Housing
(apartment, home, with relatives)
Moving Expenses
(moving, deposit, household items)
Transportation
(fixed route, paratransit)
Personal Assistant Service
Nursing Services
Therapy Services
(physical, occupational, psychological, speech)
Medical Durable Equipment
(wheelchairs, walkers, adjustable beds)
Minor Home Modifations
(widening doors, flooring, plumbing)
Prescriptions
HBC Team
Irene Alvarez
Relocation Specialist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Experience: Pasodale Elementary School Library Assistant
Visiting Nurse Association and Outreach Health Services Personal Care Assistant (provided total care for my brother who had Paraplegia)
Social Security Administration Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Specialist
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Blind Services Life Skills Coordinator
Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Outreach Program Fair Housing Program Coordinator
Working at Volar for 17 years and assisting people with disabilities for 35 years
Interests: Reading inspirational and mystery books, Choir, Karaoke and family gatherings
Favorite Quote: “Live Simply and Remain Grateful” – Anonymous
Tanya Harrison
Relocation Specialist Assistant
Education: high school graduate
enrolled in El Paso Community College’s Business Management Associates Degree Program
enrolled in electrical wiring courses at local trade school
Experience: Walmart Associate
Child Day Care Assistant
Navajo Nation Housing Assistant
eight years working and volunteering at Volar CIL. My awareness of disability rights and independent living flourished when I began volunteering at Volar CIL. The need to give back to my community and help as many people as I can is one of my strongest passions.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and providing assistance to anyone in need.
Disability: Arthritis
Favorite Quote: Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard times, they can only make you stronger – Keanu Reeves
Home By Choice
Program Description
Home By Choice (HBC) is an initiative funded by the Texas Health and Human Services that creates a pathway to community-based living for those who no longer wish to reside in a nursing home. Volar’s HBC Team has years of experience assisting people with disabilities move into their own apartment or with loved ones. There are various community-based supports that are offered through this program:
Housing (apartment, consumer's own home, or with relatives)
Moving Expenses (moving, deposit, household items)
Personal Care Assistance
Nursing Services
Therapy (physical, occupational, psychological, speech)
Medical Durable Equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, adjustable beds)
Minor Home Modifications (widening doors, flooring, plumbing)
Prescriptions
HBC Team
Irene Alvarez
Home By Choice Relocation Specialist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Human Services
Experience: Pasodale Elementary School Library Assistant, Visiting Nurse Association and Outreach Health Services Personal Care Assistant
(provided total care for my brother who had Paraplegia), Social Security Administration Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Specialist,
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Blind Services Life Skills Coordinator, Departmentof Housing and Urban
Development Fair Housing Outreach Program Fair Housing Program Coordinator, Working at Volar for 17 years and assisting people
with disabilities for 35 years
Interests: Reading inspirational and mystery books, Choir, Karaoke and family gatherings
Favorite Quote: “Live Simply and Remain Grateful” – Anonymous
Tanya Harrison
Relocation Specialists Assistant
Education: high school graduate, enrolled in El Paso Community College’s Business Management Associates Degree Program,
enrolled in electrical wiring courses at local trade school
Experience: Walmart Associate, Child Day Care Assistant, Navajo Nation Housing Assistant, and eight years working and volunteering at Volar
CIL. My awareness of disability rights and independent living flourished when I began volunteering at Volar CIL. The need to give back to my
community and help as many people as I can is one of my strongest passions.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and providing assistance to anyone in need.
Disability: Arthritis
Favorite Quote: Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard times, they can only make you
stronger – Keanu Reeves