History: The Fireplace began in 2021. In the years since, it has emerged as a vibrant community space. Learn about the community’s journey at thefireplacecommunity.org/news
Structure and governance: The Fireplace is a cooperatively-governed intentional community. This means that we do not have an external governing body; the long-term residents are the Board of Directors and participate in monthly board meetings. We are a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Illinois.
Values: The Fireplace is LGBTQ+ affirming and intergenerational. We strive to be anti-oppressive in our community practices.
Extended community: Non-residents who engage with the Fireplace are our “extended community.” They may attend and support house dinners, contribute financially, and share their creative skills.
Events and guests: The Fireplace is an intentional community that sometimes holds public events and allows community members to host events in our space. As we are able, we also use our guest rooms to host visitors.
Residents’ shared life: All residents work or study outside the house (the Fireplace is not our “full-time job”) but we each do about 10 hours per week of house activity, ranging from twice-weekly dinners/prayers to house administration.
Location: The Fireplace is located in a large house on the south side of Chicago (Kenwood/Hyde Park).
To bring together progressive Catholics and spiritual seekers for creativity, intentional community, and cooperative housing.
Details at thefireplacecommunity.org/apply
1 – Learn about us and review our community expectations.
2 – Send an informal introduction expressing your interest to th*******************@***il.com. If possible, arrange to visit for a dinner, house tour, and/or short-term stay.
3 – Submit an application to th*******************@***il.com.
4 – Submit a letter of recommendation from someone who has lived with you before. Your recommender may send their letter directly to th*******************@***il.com.
5 – Complete an interview with current residents.
6 – Complete a background check.
7 – At a board meeting, the residents vote on your application.
Learn about upcoming events at thefireplacecommunity.org/events If you would like to stay at the Fireplace for up to two weeks, please go to thefireplacecommunity.org/visit and fill out our visit interest form. Submitting this form does not guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your request. We will contact you to confirm whether or not we are able to host you. Direct all other inquiries to th*******************@***il.com
More than 50% agreement needed.
Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.
Identified leaders are the elected officers of the Board of Directors, which includes all members of the community/cooperative.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Regular fees: $1100
Labor: Yes (10 hrs/week)
Garden(s), Library, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Internet
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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