Community Homestead Incorporated

Innovation, Choice. Opportunity to flourish! We are almost there! Help us break ground this Spring still! with a mighty push to make this dream a reality for people with developmental challenges.

This is a unique design, and a unique opportunity. Embedded in a friendly intentional community, with rhythm, friends, transport and a social life, these 4 apartments, designed by UW Milwaukee  school of Architecture,  are for people with developmental challenges who need to live individually, regardless of their ability,. That is especially important in light of the chronic shortage of affordable housing in our area.

"Here, I like living in Morning Glory with everyone helping out but I want to live in an apartment in community.  Peace and quiet, think what my day is going to be, think what I am going to say. Be more relaxed because sometimes it’s too many people. And I can’t never figure people out, takes me a while.In an apartment I will go house by house to have dinner, breakfast, lunch. If I get annoyed I can leave and go to my own quiet place, have lights, pictures, cat prints, plants!"

All of the self- determination without compromising physical or mental health. Community Homestead ensures access to healthy, farm fresh, meals, a natural rhythm of healthy activity, and a community of people of all ages, experienced and committed to inclusion. 

Access to the whole integrated structure of small town life is right here, along with the transportation and people to facilitate it.  And that is important if you don’t drive, are not good at conversation, and have trouble judging the intentions of others. No need for loneliness and anxiety in apartment life here.

We do a lot of building ourselves and have a happy track record of getting things done. It is a lot of hard work, creative effort, and, above all, everybody’s contribution. .

And what else do we do?

Established in 1995, together, 40 people of all ages, abilities and personalities, run an organic dairy farm, 20 acres of garden and orchard, CSA, bakery, woodshop and processing kitchen, while constructing and renovating, and exploring our craft work in the winter. 

Last year we gave away $23.000 of vegetables, bread, meat and cookies to our St Croix Valley neighbors through free access food programs. And YES, this year, we plan to grow, bake and donate all over again!.

"Community Homestead is a slice of heaven. It enables my sisters to have their own life story…"

-Brigette Schauls 

We have both a residential and a day program in this beautiful, simple, non profit just outside Osceola. Every individual is valued here for their unique abilities. The disabilities of each one melts into the friendship, teamwork and ability of the whole group.

"People who have heard for years what they cannot do, are now appreciated for what they can offer and allowed to be themselves.  And, isn’t that what we all want in life?"

-Mary Tomes (sister/board member)

  We are full members of the St Croix River Valley, hiking, kayaking, volunteering, running the Osceola Farmer's market, attending both Stillwater and Franconia markets, co running Osceola's Rhubarb Festival,  attending 12 art and craft festivals, welcoming 120 school children annually and priding ourselves on becoming downtown Osceola's best customers!  

This is not a group home or a day placement but a lifestyle where long-term relationships are made  both with long  and short- term, international, and American volunteers, who share memories and build to the future together.  

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