The
GCOS Concept of Community
The African expression “It takes a village to raise a child” can
certainly be applied to the challenge of raising an individual with developmental
disabilities. As children get older the stress on the family increases dramatically.
Unfortunately, little focus and virtually no resources are available to support
the continued development of teenagers and young adults with developmental
disabilities.
Communities of Support
Throughout history and across all boundaries, people express the desire to
be part of a community. The current adult community phenomenon is an excellent
example. The concept of intentional communities was initially pioneered in
Denmark twenty years ago with the goal of encouraging interaction between neighbors,
by breaking down the isolation typical of
suburban developments. The focus is on creating a small-town atmosphere, while
maintaining all the privacy most people treasure. Community members report
many benefits, including richer and more diverse social interactions, greater
security, and lower stress on the family unit.
The concept of community living for individuals with developmental disabilities continues to be debated.
It's reasonable to be cautious about any initiative that has the potential to isolate. The concept of group
homes is based on a desire to integrate individuals with disabilities into the community. Unfortunately,
for every group home in a warm and accepting community there is a group home in a neighborhood that opposes
its presence. And in many cases, individual group homes are located
in communities but not part of the community.
The GCOS concept of community is about inclusion. It's about reaching out to
connect and reaching in to support. It is our belief that communities make
us stronger. Today, as many healthy and productive members of our society
choose to live in communities, let's provide that same opportunity to those
most in need of our support.
