Find a home in a community where you belong

We help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find their place in the world by building a community centered on them.

We focus on helping them find a home where they can live with friends and feel a sense of belonging at home and in the community.

We lead them and their families through the process to find:

  • friends they want to live with

  • the type of home they want to live in

  • how they will build a meaningful day

  • caring people who will support them

  • how they will belong in their community

  • long-term security and continuity

What we do

  • We bring individuals and families together to form homes based on personal choice.  

  • We focus on compatibility of both housemates and families to ensure shared values and trust as they work through difficult decisions, including letting go emotionally and managing the future.

  •  We use the model of the 907 Home in central Wilmette, where several young men have lived together since 2017. The housemates have chosen to live as a family, sharing meals and activities while also pursuing independent lives of work, personal interests and socializing. All housemates are active at Our Place, a social and enrichment hub within walking distance. 907 is managed and financially supported by the member families.

  •  We are collaborating with a highly regarded established agency to develop and operate additional homes similar to 907 to meet the demand from other families and ensure financial and administrative sustainability.

  •  We collaborate with Our Place, a community based agency in Wilmette, to provide a social hub in the center of the community with programs to create meaningful, productive socially connected lives for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • We support fundraising with our tax exempt 501 (c) (3) status.

How we do it

Where this leads

Imagine a community where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are engaged neighbors, going about their lives just like everyone else.

  • Working, pursuing their interests, enjoying parks, restaurants, fitness centers, shopping at local grocery stores

  • Growing in independence, responsibility and experience

  •  Supporting local businesses, volunteering, contributing as citizens

  •  Inviting friends and neighbors over for dinner or a gathering in the back yard

  • Making an economic, social and civic impact

This vision of community empowers each person to live their dream life and also makes our community stronger.

Who we are

Our House Communities is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to create and support a variety of community based residences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the north Chicago suburbs. Our House is committed to meeting the personal goals and interests of each resident and family as we develop a community of homes. Federal Tax ID 81-0830660.

Board of Directors

George “Buz” Craven – President

Vickie Tassone – Treasurer

Kit Dammers – Secretary

Stephanie Jacob – Director

Contact

Email
director@ourhousecommunities.org

Inaugural home in Wilmette, IL