The Inspiration

A Real-Life Miracle

Starting 30 years ago in Illinois, a miracle bloomed. An “intentional neighborhood” called Hope Meadows was formed as a nonprofit. It brought together two groups of people: families providing foster care and adoption for children with severe histories of abuse, neglect, and behavioral problems; and adults 55 and older, some of whom were dealing with their own significant challenges. 

The miracle? By forming an active, engaged community with this particular mix, the three generations (children, parents, adult ‘elders’) built deep reciprocal bonds. And because of their intentionality they touched and transformed each other’s lives, providing healing, hope, meaning and stability. The success of Hope Meadows is described in detail by its founder, Brenda Krause Eheart, in her book, Neighbors: The Power Of The People Next Door.

From Inspiration to Action

This model has been successfully replicated in several locations in the U.S. and beyond. One example, with four locations built in Oregon within 10 years, is Bridge Meadows. See their residents in action at two PBS video shorts here and here. For still more, there’s an NPR Marketplace Report audio and a NY Times article. These communities are thriving.

Unfortunately, nothing like this exists in Maine. So we’re going to build one. Welcome to this big-tent vision of an affordable, intergenerational, intentional, neighborhood community, designed to positively transform the lives of the residents who live there.