So....where to start? Recognizing that this is a huge project, my goal is to talk to various agencies to see if there is a similar project already in place or one that could partner to make this happen. I absolutely want to learn from others' successes and mistakes.

My first meeting was with three people from VIA and three parents who have children with autism. VIA is an agency that works to match special needs clients to a job that facilitates pride and self-actualization. Additionally there is community, friends, money...all the things that make a job an important experience. These are wonderful, caring professionals who try to make it happen and have had wonderful successes! They are creative and talented and a blessing. However, they do recognize that there is still much to do for many and this not a case of one size fits all. The current philosophy used by many agencies and educators is one of "inclusion". "Inclusion (per Wikipedia) is a philosophical movement which advocates educating students with special needs in normal, mixed-ability classes, with students of the same chronological age, for all or nearly all of the day. Advocates of regular inclusion and full inclusion believe that special needs students "belong" to the regular classroom. Consequently, all special services are delivered within the normal classroom." This philosophy can also be extended to the workplace in that special needs clients should be incorporated into the same jobs and work places that all of us know.

Given the current "Inclusion" philosophy, my idea of a house with several clients living there and caring for the premises (under supervision of VIA or similar agency) smacked of a protected workshop and would probably not be eligible for any funding. My idea was to have a house that could offer lodging to families traveling to local hospitals for care for a loved one. (See Jenn's House to view a successful hospitality house ). The VIA individuals indicated they had heard similar ideas from others and funding for projects outside the current system and inclusion philosophy, made success much more difficult.

One of the parents at the meeting has two autistic children and made a point of telling me that she is very worried about what will happen to her son and daughter when she is no longer around. Her fear is that they could become homeless because their autism makes them difficult to deal with and they don't fit within the parameters of many existing programs. I heard similar fears from the other parents who were trying to brainstorm ways to provide for and protect their children now and in the future. As the conversations continued, I became painfully aware of the staff and expertise that would be needed to support this kind of housing. I also know that persistence and passion can go a long way so I am not scratching this off the list just yet.

I also contacted the founder of Jenn's House and had the chance to hear a little of his experiences and struggles to get his dream to become a reality. Quite a journey. He asked what tragedy had occurred in my life to make me want to do something like this and several other people have asked that same question. I thought that was an interesting question and realized that so many of these private projects are born out pain and tragedy. How lucky am I to have this chance...."just because"!

My plan is to contact the local Salvation Army, the local Rescue Mission and do further research into Holland House in New York City. All will have information, experience and programs in place that I can learn from. Stay tuned and please contact me with comments, suggestions, contacts, anything that will keep me learning and moving forward!