Community Models

Theories and ideas of community and companionship, inclusion and normalization abound. But who is putting these ideas into practice in real communities?

Of course, there is no one right model and there are no perfect communities. Nevertheless, this page offers some beginning glimpses of the kinds of models that bring hope and encouragement that persons who are different by virtue of a developmental disability or mental illness can indeed have a fulfilling life in community.

Goldenrod Community
Goldenrod is a community being developed east of Middlebury, Indiana in Northern Indiana's Amish country. The vision calls for eight family living units in four duplexes to serve 24 persons with autism and and related conditions. The community will also feature 10-12 retirement duplexes, a community center, health center, and a day program with woodworking, crafts, and small scale farming.

L'Arche Canada
"L'Arche in Canada is part of a worldwide network of communities where persons with a developmental disability and those who assist them live, work and pray together, creating a home. L'Arche recognizes unique value of persons and the ability of persons who are often devalued to reveal.

L'Arche Nehalem Community
Community in Portland, Oregon, USA

L'Arche Noah Sealth
Community in in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Philosophy of L'Arche
A particularly helpful introduction to what L'Arche Communities are all about.

Network of International Farm Communities for Autism
This web site highlights international efforts to provide farmstead communities which meet the residential, vocational and recreational needs of the growing population of adults with autism.

Bittersweet Farms
A model residential and vocational program for working with persons with autism. Web site is still under construction.

Fountain House
Community living for persons with mental illness and the model for the clubhouse movement for persons with chronic mental illness. "Fountain House is dedicated to the recovery of men and women with mental illness by providing opportunities for our members to live, work, and learn, while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support."

Camp Hill Special Schools
Special education in a community environment: "The program takes place within a community committed to create a quiet, therapeutic environment for children who require residential care. Core staff work out of Anthroposophy and many program activities are adapted from Waldorf Education. The program provides residential, educational, therapeutic and support services on the grounds. Residential students live in one of 11 family homes, which are organized with the warmth and wholesomeness of an extended natural family. Day students join one of those homes for meals and recreational activities. High-school age students receive 1/2 day prevocational training in a craft center, and in the gardens and stable."

Boston Higashi School
International boarding school program for persons with autism based on a model developed in Japan.

Gould Farm
America's oldest therapeutic community for people with mental illness in a rural community setting. "Gould Farm is a compassionate, respectful family environment where people with mental illness learn to build more meaningful lives for themselves." Based on the work of William J. Gould, a visionary and pioneer in social reform, the program is based on the principles of respectful discipline, wholesome work and unstinting kindness.