A new organization, iSolve Project, could create two communities in Chattanooga where people with autism (and other populations) could live together and find support. This interview includes iSolve Project founder Lori Sanders and Dave Buck from theChattanooga Autism Center. Coming up on June 3rd at 6:30 p.m., the center will host a meeting to gauge public interest.
From the event's Facebook page:
If you are concerned about future housing options for adults with autism in Chattanooga, we need you to attend this meeting! Turn out and the expressed interest at this meeting will be used to determine future development. An organization called iSolve Project is seeking to develop planned community living spaces in and around Chattanooga. The project's mission is to provide housing, employment options, and other support to adults with autism (and other populations as well). Currently they are looking into two types of programs: 1) Rural Community Farm: Participants live onsite and learn agricultural skills such as planting, growing, harvesting, food transportation, and/or sales. 2) Urban planned community: Participants live independently in their own apartments or houses in a community with other single family dwellings and retail stores. Employment opportunities are tied with the retail stores. Both options would involve support staff and direct care services that help build independent living skills, vocational skills, and other life skills. This meeting involves iSolve Project's Founder, Lori Sanders explaining the basic idea, getting your input, and reporting the level of demand and need in this region to a national board meeting.