Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom Conference October 23, 2015 Let’s Buy the Farm! Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom Conference October 23, 2015 info@living-unlimited.org

Parent’s biggest fears What happens when the bus stops coming? What happens to them when we are gone? 100,000+ Bay Area families will face these questions in the coming decade, as their special needs children become adults. info@living-unlimited.org

Tried and True (48 down -- 6,000 to go !) 2 1 4 1 5 4 2 1 2 1 1 Existing Farms for the Developmentally Disabled in the US 5 1 3 3 1 7 1

Benefits and difficulties of farm based living Valued work and self esteem Communion with Nature Enhanced understanding (“Momma, where do eggs come from?”, Birds & bees and more) Disadvantages Ain’t no bright lights. No fast cars. No fast food. How we gonna keep ‘em down on the farm, after they’ve seen TV? info@living-unlimited.org

Living Unlimited - Mission Create and facilitate sustainable, inclusive communities where people with and without disabilities live, work and care for each other with mutual respect and dignity. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization* *501(c)(3) status pending info@living-unlimited.org

a diverse set of farm focused communities Creating Options a diverse set of farm focused communities Resident Profiles Special needs only Special needs and staff Special needs, staff and neuro-typical seniors Settings Rural farm Suburban farmlette Urban orchard Property Ownership Models Owned - purchased or donated Jointly owned – with investment pool Long term lease (e.g. 99 year) info@living-unlimited.org

Ensuring the basics Safe housing Healthy Community food Access to the outdoors Meaningful work Community info@living-unlimited.org

Housing

Meaningful Work

Healthy Food info@living-unlimited.org

Community info@living-unlimited.org

LU’s development path Start Up (2015) Year 1 (2016) Year 2 (2017) Establish board Incorporate LU Develop business plan Build parent community Identify pilot sites Year 1 (2016) Sites 1 and 2 identified and planning started Year 2 (2017) Site 1 operational Site 2 in development Sites 3 and 4 identified and planning started Year 3 (2018) Sites 1 and 2 operational Sites 3 and 4 in development Sites 5-7 identified and planning started Year 4 (2019 ) Sites 1 – 4 operational Site 5-7 in development Pipeline for sites 8 -12 developed Year 10 (2026) 25 sites are operational 75 sites in development 150 in pipeline info@living-unlimited.org

Who’s on first? Different roles for different folks Core Group (3 – 5 Pioneer Families) Benefactors (Big or Lots) Secondary supporters (Potential residents) Cheer-leaders (No such thing as too many) Quiet observers (Wait and see)

How to Help Your thoughts and feedback Join our 85+ interested families Be advisor, volunteer or staff ID partner organizations Find farm sites Funding info@living-unlimited.org

Contact Susan Riggle Waterson Alex Krem susan@living-unlimited.org (510) 334-7420 Alex Krem alex@living-unlimited.org (510) 610 3555

www.living-unlimited.org info@living-unlimited.org