The Question On Every Parent’s Mind:
What happens when we're gone?
Realizing a Need
Parents of children with special needs often wonder where their children will live once they are no longer able to care for them and who will provide the special care they hope will continue for the rest of their lives?
Many parents find the best laid plan just simply isn't going to work. Our adult children have the greatest desire for independence and yet we continue to be needed multiple times throughout the day.
As families age, many parents struggle to find appropriate housing for their adult children and they do not want them to be a burden on others, especially their siblings who will have to take over as guardians when they can no longer care for them.
When adults who experience a disability leave the educational system, the world as they knew it disappears. Routines change and opportunities for work and play are restricted for most. Many individuals find this extremely challenging and anxiety provoking. In fact, after the structure, community and teaching ends, even families with resources struggle to find a meaningful way for their disabled adult to thrive.
Aging of the caregiving population will severely impact the growing need for caregivers across the country and aging parents need to know their children have a safe, engaging place to live where they are valued as community members.
Parents deserve the peace and security of a long-term, sustainable housing plan for their loved ones.
Creating a Unique Choice
Currently, housing opportunities for disabled individuals include group homes, institutions, or living at home with parents/family - sometimes with external support services such as adult day care or assistance from qualified service professions.
Individuals with disabilities deserve options. Many individuals are happy to live at home or in a group home, however those should not be the only options.
Having roommates or living in a group home can be particularly challenging for the neurodiverse population. There are never ending waitlists, few options available and even fewer that allow our adult children with special needs to age in place. There is a common need for inclusion and few viable available options as true choices. Finding a good match in caregivers is a constant challenge with salaries low and a growing competition for a shrinking resource.
As we make sure those with disabilities have access to their community and everything else they would have if they were not disabled, they deserve more options and we offer a unique one.
Replicating A Proven Model
After seeing national coverage of the WeBUILT community in Clackamas, Oregon, the founder, Ann Wilkinson graciously invited us to check out her community for ourselves. After spending a few days touring the campus, interacting with residents and meeting with Ann, it became clear this was the answer to a prayer. Although we knew bringing this community to Wilkes County would not be possible having each resident pay the full cost to construct the community, we had an idea that somehow, with local support, we could raise enough money to help lower the cost for residents in our area.
After forming a dedicated advisory board and welcoming LivingHope Corporation, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner, we are ready to bring our very own life changing community to Wilkes County to meet a local need.
Removing barriers and finding new housing solutions always requires a risk taker. WeBUILT Clackamas took the risk, proved its success, and is now ready to be replicated and modified to meet the unique needs of a new group of residents right here in Wilkes County.
We're deeply grateful to Ann Wilkinson and the entire WeBUILT Clackamas team for their mentorship, guidance, and willingness to share their proven model with North Carolina. Through her nonprofit agency, Next Step Strategies, Ann provided invaluable support for our initial start up and continues to be just a phone call away.
Learning from and modeling after the WeBUILT Clackamas community provides the experience and information needed to assure that WeBUILT Wilkes can be self-sustaining once complete. The WeBUILT Clackamas community welcomed its first members in 2019 and has celebrated financial self-sustainability, even with an 11 unit expansion in 2024, and currently has a waiting list of individuals from across the country.
North Carolina's First—But Not the Last
WEBUILT WILKES IS NORTH CAROLINA'S FIRST WEBUILT COMMUNITY.
WeBUILT, an organization dedicated to providing long-term resources and housing solutions for individuals with special needs
We believe our community can serve as a model for other individuals with a variety of needs who have a desire to live in a setting with ample opportunities to participate in an active lifestyle.
WeBuilt's long term vision is to help people develop communities across the country built around the unique needs of our adult children with IDD that allows them to age in place.
WeBUILT Wilkes brings a life-changing approach to housing and support for adults who experience autism and other disabilities. As North Carolina's first-of-its-kind, our community is designed to be intentional, sustainable and inclusive by valuing its members with a home designed for their personal interests and passions.
WeBUILT communities are intentionally created to support individuals who struggle with sensory challenges or have been uncomfortable or less than optimally successful in traditional housing opportunities which have barriers to their success. We believe that individuals who are supported in their quest to become independent will benefit from naturally occurring friendships derived through daily healthy activities. WeBUILT communities offer a concept that supports individuals wanting to live as independently as possible by allowing them to live in individual homes in a planned community where neighbors are sensitive to sensory needs and intent on sharing life together.
Applying the factors of successful congregate communities, we are creating one where there is a mix of adult ages, a shared desire to live in support of others and a mix of individuals working inside and outside the community.
LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT
"I do think this could change their life. They could meet a best friend in this community. This could add years to their lives, just activities and emotionally and stuff like that."
When adults are finally given the opportunity to live independently with appropriate support, everything changes. Skills develop. Confidence grows. Joy multiplies.