A Christian Cohousing Initiative in Alberta for Families by Families
Meet your new neighbours! Come grow with us!
John, Karyn, Nekoda, Aidan, Julia
We are John, Karyn, Nekoda, Aidan, and Julia, seen here with our now-retired autism guide dog, Dozer. We love nature, family movie nights, and traveling to see our extended family (and the many swimmable lakes!) in Ontario. We are used to going against the status quo, from midwifery (having drug free births at home) to adoption, Christianity, homeschooling, and now cohousing. We believe we must pursue our dreams and boldly step out in faith if we are to life an honest life with no regrets.
We are excited to be a part of this amazing group of people, creating a cohousing neighbourhood designed to increase natural supports, create meaningful days, and reduce isolation. We are the Village, and we trust that the remaining families will come on board at just the right time. Peace!
Kevin, Beena, Christy, Brent
We are Kevin & Beena. We met, married, and had our two children in Kuala Lumpur. We've been teaching in Calgary since 2001. Our daughter Christy is a nursing student in Lethbridge. Our son Brent is a 20-year-old autistic man navigating life after high school.
We are interested in a community that will accept our son as he is, and that will be a place he can call his own even after we can no longer care for him.
Julie, Brandon, Dylan, Kendra
Hello! I'm a single mother with three teenagers - a son and two daughters - and I'm a Christian. Brandon is 18 and was diagnosed with ASD shortly after turning 17. He loves video games and anime, and he likes to draw his own characters. Dylan is 15 and in grade 10. She is neurotypical, loves sports, drama, and doing special effects makeup. Kendra is 13, she does junior high school online, loves anime and video games and we believe she's also on the spectrum; however, she has not been diagnosed. We also have two awesome cats named Neo and Klutzy. We like to watch Marvel movies and go swimming.
I feel Abundant Life Autism is an answer to prayer. As a single, Christian mother of special needs children, my two biggest concerns were lack of community (for me, because it's hard to find people who share my values as well as understand my experience; and for them, because they have difficulty socializing) and wondering what would happen to them if something happened to me (I'm all they have). At ALA, I hope that my kids will feel comfortable enough to engage with others, learn life skills, and grow to a level of functioning where I won't be worried for them anymore. I'm looking forward to having friends who share my values and who "get it."
Kat, Tyler
Coming soon...we assure you Kat and Tyler are much more interesting than pancakes!
Thomas, Carole-Anne, Stephanie, Danielle, Benjamin, Timothy
We are the adventurers! In our family there is Thomas (father), Carole-Anne (mother), Stephanie (first born daughter/ 20 years old), Danielle (second born daughter/ 18 years old), Benjamin (eldest son/15 years old) and Timothy (youngest/12 years old). Timothy is the one diagnosed with ASD. We are Christians! What is most important to us is our walk with God. We want to follow the exciting and adventurous path He has for us. At the end of the race of life, we want to hear Him say “Well done!” Love and community are the main purposes for which we are all created. Jesus gave two commandments that sum all the other ones, and one commission (love God, love others and make disciples.)
We seek community and the opportunity to live life abundantly with whatever God has for us. Co-housing seems to be the answer! As our children reach the age to be launched into adulthood, we see the importance in making sure that Timothy also gets the opportunity to have an abundant life full of purpose. We also see this as an opportunity for us to all participate and share with others as we build friendships. We are not made to navigate this world alone as Lone Rangers. Co-housing will give us community, purpose, relationship and a place where people with ASD can find the support and understanding they need. We are believing Timothy will find a place where he is loved, where he can be himself and where he feels he belongs. In co-housing he will be in a place where he can make a difference and set his own imprint on life. Let’s all make a difference!