Mermaid Avenue is an intentional farming community for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. We will not only provide support for the families on the land, but also the larger disabled community in the area. We would also aim to provide arts and mutual aid initiatives within the greater community.
Our farm would be an ecovillage that incorporates aspects of permaculture and optimizes sustainability. We would have a large biodynamic vegetable/herb garden where we will grow produce for residents of the land and also offer fresh produce through our own food pantry, farmer’s markets, or prearranged community initiatives (shelters, group homes, schools, etc.). (Note: Biodynamic farms aspire to generate their own fertility through composting, integrating animals, cover cropping, and crop rotation. It is a system of farming that follows a sustainable, holistic approach which uses only organic, usually locally-sourced materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning, views the farm as a closed, diversified ecosystem, and often bases farming activities on lunar cycles”.)
In addition to farming, we would offer additional opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to learn, build skills, socialize and receive support during the day. K-12 students would be offered an alternative schooling option – think “free school”, “Sudbury method”, or “Waldorf method”. Adult members would visit “stations” throughout the day (i.e. farm, arts, weaving, music, nature walks, etc.). The idea would be that the K-12 residents would graduate to the adult program and move into on-site independent cohousing with other neurodivergent folks and develop skills for independent living. The independent living house would be staffed by volunteers and/or a householder or full time caregiver.
Families on the land will have their own housing but there will also be a shared community building/kitchen where shared meals will happen. Community will also be open to members who will serve as supplemental staff to assist families and help facilitate day programs. Child care would be a communal responsibility and self care (especially for parents and caregivers) would be a priority.
*We are currently in the planning stages of this community and are seeking other families with neurodivergent members who seek to create community with other likeminded families. We currently do not have a location yet, but aim to stay in the New England/Midatlantic area. Feel free to reach out if any of this resonates!
Our main aim is to provide support, learning, and creative opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and their families. We also aim to promote community mutual aid initiatives, self sustainability and reduce dependence on welfare & exploitative/selective/conditional charity programs.
The whole membership decides collectively.
Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
We would be organized via mutual aid: collective consensus for decision-making, flattened organizational hierarchy, detachment from any religious/political/spiritual/cultural ideologies, & unconditional sharing of resources.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Labor: Yes (10 hrs/week)
Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Internet
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
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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