Irene Aguirre Gonzalez

Irene Aguirre Gonzalez serves as the Administrative Assistant and Intake Coordinator for The Arc of Harris County. My journey in the nonprofit sector began in 2013, driven by my personal experience as a mother of a son diagnosed with IDD and Other Health Impairments and the challenges, I faced navigating the Special Education system.

I found support and community at The Arc of Harris County (formally known as Greater Houston), where I spent seven enriching years. This experience ignited my passion for supporting families who, like mine, were navigating the complexities of raising a child with disabilities.

I found my calling as the coordinator for the support group Familias Hispanas Grupo de Apoyo. In this role, I organize guest speakers to educate parents about available resources, prepare them for ARD meetings, and guide them through their child’s transition from high school to adulthood via the 18+ program.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I took a different career path as a Teaching Assistant and Special Education Clerk for HISD. Despite the challenging times, I remained resilient and returned to my passion for helping families in 2022.

Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in General Business at the University of Houston-Downtown. My future goal is to establish my own business as a job coach, assisting students with disabilities in becoming independent and successful.

I have always kept this very close to my heart. We make money to pay our bills but helping families is priceless.

While we earn money to meet our material needs, the fulfillment derived from assisting families is beyond any monetary value. I am excited to continue my journey and look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of those I serve.