
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