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Our Inspiration

Who are we doing this for?
Denzel

DENZEL

Denzel loves to play video games and is an avid reader. He is looking forward to having his own place within a community where he is not isolated and is within walking distance to a library, bookstore and a GameStop. He is also hoping for a big apartment that has enough room for his large book collection and would prefer not to have anyone living above him because he does not like noise. Denzel, who rarely leaves the house unless it is to work out or occasionally see a movie, would grow socially through living and interacting with others at APTS at Crocus, as well as participating in the services provided by the Crocus Supportive Housing Hub.

Gaige

GAIGE

Gaige is a gentle, kind and funny young man. He has both Down syndrome and autism, which has brought unique challenges for Gaige. He loves to swim and has a passion for music. He loves music of all types from bands like Coldplay to Queen, artists from Pink to Phil Collins, and he especially loves musicals. He loves using his iPad to listen to Music and to FaceTime his extended family who live all over the USA, but especially his older brother who is just starting his career. He would love to find a place to work that involves something in music. Because of Gaige’s dual diagnosis, he has a need for 24/7 support. CARE at Crocus is an environment where he could live with pride, but also have the comfort and safety that he requires.

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DANE

Dane is an active young man who enjoys riding his adult razor big wheel or his three wheeled tricycle. He also loves swimming, listening to all types of music and using his iPad to call his grandparents, aunt, and siblings on Google Meet. Dane is very fond of his sister who often sings him songs while playing the guitar live from the beach in Costa Rica. With multiple unique requirements due to autism and co-occuring conditions, Dane needs 24/7 support. CARE at Crocus will provide him the opportunity to get the supports and services he needs in a safe and natural environment where he can be free to live life through his lens and have experiences not otherwise available to him.

Odin

ODIN

Odin is a sweet, funny and bright young man. He is VERY conversational, has a magnetic personality, and a heart of gold. He loves his dogs, loves to swim and he is a “champion” fencer. He also adores video games. He could tell you EVERY Pokémon, Mario and Sonic character. He loves Star Wars (both the movies and the video games). He also loves his family. He is the youngest of three and looks up to his oldest brother as his idol. He also is a great supporter of his brother Gaige, who he understands needs help in so many ways. Odin’s autism causes challenges in processing language and social situations. He would love to live in an environment where he could build great friendships, have independence, but also some support in driving the social and work parts of his life. The APTS at Crocus would be a wonderful place for Odin to live and flourish.

Voices For Crocus

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Irene Litherland & Family

This is so very exciting!  How great to have housing that is designed to serve a variety of levels and types of support needs, support individual lifestyle preferences, and allow for families or others to live nearby. I wish I could transfer my family's life to Wisconsin to join this very promising project!  Thank you for the inspiration! ​ - Irene Litherland, mother of young adult with autism, currently using self-determination program services in California; past lived experience with group homes and supported living services.

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Carolyn Kelbanoff

I am thrilled to see CROCUS take shape. I am a co-founder of Sweetwater Spectrum in California, and have seen my adult daughter thrive in a home she shares with her peers. More supportive housing options are desperately needed. Kudos to CROCUS for your expansive vision! - Carolyn Klebanoff, Co-Founder Sweetwater Spectrum

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Linda Bader

Home is where we bring our families and friends to break bread, rest, dream and create memories. When I saw the mission and vision of Communities of Crocus, I felt an emotional connection and instantly knew that this is just the type of project we need to offer a world of possibilities for IDD adults who want and deserve safe and supportive housing. Amy and Emily are driven, dedicated, and knowledgeable people who will have the stamina to see this project to the finish line. I fully support the Communities of Crocus and look forward to seeing it go from dream to reality. - Linda Bader, Community Volunteer, Board Member Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

Shultz Family

Sherry Schultz & Family

I'd like to show my support for the Communities of Crocus. We are now a family of three. Our two older children have families of their own, and one even lives out of state. Our youngest, Kimber, is 35, and lives with us. She was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at age 5. It was a degenerative disease, in that, at the age of 12 to 18 months, she didn't progress in abilities, and is literally frozen in time, not developing normally along with her peers. Medically, her MECP2 gene did not turn on. This left her trapped in her body, unable to communicate, barely walk, have seizures and having to have every daily living task performed for her. She has to be bathed and fed, and is in diapers and a wheelchair. Thirty five years ago we were younger and healthier, and able to handle all that. I do, occasionally, have in-home help with the harder tasks involving lifting, when my husband is not home. We are both in our sixties, though, with failing health. We are her primary caregivers, and with our two oldest raising their own families, we have to consider that one day we will not be able to do this. Our biggest fear is to have to put her in a place where we cannot have access to her all the time, and have to rely on strangers to understand all the nuances of being Kimber. This community is an answer to the prayers of every parent in our position. It is a step above a group home or a nursing home, in that the difficult tasks we would no longer be able to do would be performed by specialists, who know they have the support of the parents walking distance away. We will live so close that we would be able to be there in minutes, should the need arise. We would also be able to easily visit, and have that feeling of knowing that with us nearby, our children will be well-cared for. It will be an actual "community." Families in the same unique situations will have the support and understanding of each other...we would all be in the same boat. It doesn't take a psychologist to explain the tremendous impact that has when you are raising children with special needs. This "model" of care is desperately needed by all families facing what we are facing. The worst feeling in the world is, what happens to our loved ones when we can't take care of them? I cannot stress enough the importance of community, especially for those who don't have other family or friends that can offer any support. I enourage anyone who has the means, to support this effort. Even if you don't see it affecting you personally...I think we all know someone who could benefit by this. I remember reading a book by Christopher Reeve, called, "Still Me." He was a famous actor who fell off a horse, and was paralyzed the rest of his life from the neck down. His wife started out being his caregiver. After a while, it changed the husband/wife dynamic. They realized, not only that Christopher needed more help than his wife could provide, but that being a caregiver, changed the marriage...even threathened the health of the marriage. After they were able to get help, they got back to being husband and wife. Caring for a loved one with special needs, does change the dynamic of the relationship. The stress never ends. I remember when we finally got respite and my husband and I could go out on a date again. It was like we were new people! We found we needed the breaks to be good parents to Kimber. The Communities of Crocus also has the ability to restore the relationships within a family that break down under the stress of constant caregiving. As Christopher Reeve proved, this could happen to ANYONE, at ANY TIME in their lives. The sooner we develop communities like this, the better we ALL will be, knowing, that at any moment in time, one of us could need something like this. It takes time to do this, time and money, and there's no time like the present and no better money spent, than planning for care for our loved ones. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to show how vitally important this is.

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Victoria T.

Adults with autism are part of our community and safe spaces like COC are needed. I've witnessed firsthand the challenges that many families with loved ones with autism go through to support and resources. I'm relieved that there is an organization like COC that will support my friend and her son so that he can thrive and live with dignity, care, and love.

Aaron Vorell

Aaron Vorell

It’s so exciting to see CROCUS step forward to provide housing and supports for adults with IDD. The need across the country is tremendous and CROCUS will prove to be the answer that so many families and individuals are desperately seeking. I look forward to seeing CROCUS go from a dream to a reality and in doing so changing the lives of those wonderful individuals they will support. - Aaron Vorell, Executive Director of Casa de Amma

Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith

Communities of Crocus provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to grow and flourish in a caring, supportive setting. On top of that, it also provides families and caregivers with a network of resources, bringing them confidence and peace of mind. I couldn’t be more excited about this unique, innovative community that’s being developed! - Brandon Smith, Outreach Pastor (Village Church of Gurnee – Gurnee, IL)

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Victoria Davis

Communities of Crocus will singlehandedly broaden the spectrum of integrated housing options for people with IDD in our area. As a special needs attorney, helping families find housing options for their loved ones with complex needs where they can thrive is one of the biggest barriers. COC has a wrap around model designed to ensure not only integration but success and sustainability. The promise of Olmstead requires people willing and able to re-invent the wheel to provide access and integration to all our citizens – and the COC team has what it takes! - Victoria Davis, Davis & Pledl Special Needs Attorney

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Hunter Christian

I believe in the vision and the determination that Crocus has demonstrated so far. It is with their incredible will that, I know, they will succeed. The plans are genius. They have contemplated a variety of solutions to meet the spectrum of needs our communities face. Bravo!! - Hunter Christian, Executive Director of Villa de Vida, Inc. Affordable Housing with a preference for adults with IDD Poway, CA

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Bob Kern

As a parent of a special needs adult, the Crocus community living model inspires us and provides great hope for our loved one. Crocus allows IDD individuals to reside in a long-term sustainable housing and care solution that transcends the parent/family lifetime. Crocus provides families with a dynamic, safe and enriching integrated living community - the hope that all parents have for their children. Robert Kern Retired, Executive Vice President U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

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Daniel Fleischman

Communities of Crocus will address the vital need in our community for housing for people of all abilities. I am inspired by Amy's vision to combine different types of housing along with on-site support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Developers, government officials, and advocates for persons with disabilities should all take note of this important model. - Daniel Fleischman, Vice President of Housing and Residential Services at Jewish Family Services

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Shabnam Nikravan

As an advocate for the autism community, I am so excited to have Crocus lay its foundation in Wisconsin. It is a piece of autism care that is substantially missing for adults on the spectrum. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Amy and getting to know her and her family. Her passion and love for her children is palpable, this is truly a passion project for not only herself but the many families that look like hers. I am happy to support Crocus and their vision in providing children and families with ASD a safe and nurturing environment. This is sure to be a start of an amazing journey. -Shabz, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee PhD Canidate - Community and Behavioral Health Promotion

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Jim Whittaker

The mission and vision for the Communities of Crocus addresses the desperate need to develop new housing models in local communities which offer supportive housing solutions in a neighborhood like setting. Quality long-term supports and services offered within the community coupled with inclusive services in the greater community are key ingredients to a quality life for individuals with autism or other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Family driven projects similar to the Communities of Crocus are now being planned and developed throughout the country. The voice of self-advocates, families and supporters are now being heard by lawmakers, state officials and others who should share in the responsibility to make each of these communities a reality. I am looking forward to following your progress. Never give up the DREAM! - Jim Whittaker, Consultant, JW Specialized Housing LLC

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John & Patti Gmeinder

As a family with two adult children with IDD we are very exited to have discovered Crocus. In our opinion Amy and Emily have taken some of the best ideas from the emerging communities around the country and wrapped them into one model. And best of all for us it is in Wisconsin. We feel that there are many families like ours that will be thankful for yet another community that will provide needed supports for our special members.

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Rachel Atkinson-Leach

My daughter, Carissa, with autism means the world to me and I want the best path forward to leading a productive and inclusive life. Amy and Emily are creating a best-in-class development in the Communities of Crocus. My daughter will be able to thrive and live a normal adult life like her peers. Its not just what I want, but it’s what she wants.

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Tom Toronto

Nothing worth doing is ever easy and there is no more apt description for what it takes to build housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That said, the challenges of developing housing are no match for the will and perseverance of parents, guardians, advocates, and individuals with diagnoses themselves – all demanding a dire need be addressed. Schools have been built, services designed and provided and now, like the first signs of spring, the crocus, so too is dynamic purpose-built housing popping up around the country – including Wisconsin. - Tom Toronto, President, Bergen County's United Way

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TraciSeibert

I work with clients with special needs and the Communities of Crocus that is being created is going to be amazing. It’s hard to find good places for young adults to live but also have the opportunity for onsite services and supports not just a place to stay. I also think it’s great that within the community there will be so much to do socially and family’s can also be near by. I can’t wait for this to be an option that I can let young adults that I work with who have special needs have an option to call home! - Traci Seibert, MSW Family Impact

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Roe Draus

I had the pleasure working with Communities of Crocus to envision the housing and supportive hub environments. The Supportive Hub was particularly exciting to see develop and serve as a collaborative learning environment that connects residents, families, caregivers, and community organizations. The mission of COC is very inspiring as it cultivates a sense of belonging across all levels of the community. Additionally, this project is so important because it gives back power and autonomy to autistic individuals to live independent lives, while also offering the supports needed to ensure success. I look forward to the future of COC! - Roe Draus, Community Design Solutions

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