If We Build It, They Will Belong
Affordable and safe housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) sounds like an unattainable dream for most families. Many parents feel a sense of uncertainty about their child's future when they are no longer able to care for them. Many individuals with IDD often feel lonely and frequently express their need to have friends around them and the ability to make decisions for themselves. It is these concerns that brought families together to find a way to make a better future for their loved ones with IDD and why the Special Needs Community Initiative (SNCI) was created. Take a moment to view the video below and listen to several individuals express their hopes and dreams for for their future. With your support, we hope to make their dreams a reality.
Who We Are
The Special Needs Community Initiative was created by parents and community members who realized the need to make the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities more productive and fulfilling while attaining some independence. In January 2017, the group began researching the possibilities for independent living and shortly thereafter adopted the co-housing model for their vision. It is our hope to complete the project and have residents living in their forever homes in the near future.
Our organization relies on donations to provide educational workshops, recreational opportunities, and occupational explorations for individuals with IDD while they prepare for independent living. If you would like to contribute toward our mission, use the PayPal button to make a one-time, monthly, or yearly donation.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is comprised of compassionate and dedicated individuals who are passionate about making the lives of individuals with disabilities better. We are parents and community leaders with expertise in a wide range of areas, including marketing, advocacy, counseling and case management, education, finance, and business management. We are responsible for creating a strategic plan to carry out our mission and oversee the financial health of the organization.
We are always looking for new board members that can help us in our mission. To move our vision of building a co-housing community forward, we need professionals in the real estate, building, construction, and/or development fields. We are also looking for individuals with experience in fundraising, sponsorships, and grant writing to join our board. If you are interested in joining our board or know someone who might be, use the button below to send us an email and we will reach out.
Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month for ten months every year from 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST via Google Meet
