Opportunities for Connection

By Carolyn Pruitt

The reasons that people join cohousing are as diverse as the individuals within a cohousing community. Everyone comes to cohousing with their own set of experiences, their own perspectives, and their own vision about what they hope it will be like (or what they want to create).

But there’s at least one motivation that most have in common - the desire for connection and community.

That drive for connection is central to so many cohousing efforts. It's also what makes the National Cohousing Conference so special. By convening professionals, active cohousers, seekers, and more from across the country (and beyond) in one space - we can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another in ways that are difficult to accomplish anywhere else.

Breakout sessions will consist of a beautiful mix of new voices and seasoned veterans covering topics directly relevant to the cohousing community. The intensives and tours will allow attendees to dive deep into skills development and see first-hand some of what makes Denver and Boulder cohousing communities so vibrant. Plenary sessions and special programming will foster important and thought provoking dialogue.

And that’s just the official programming. In between all of that there will be dozens if not hundreds of introductions made, questions asked and answered, and stories shared. These moments of connection serve as building blocks for the cohousing community. They also benefit each of us and the communities we live in by exposing us to new ideas and energizing us.

If you’re interested in learning more about the National Cohousing Conference, please check out the conference website where you can register and explore a preview of session titles, get hotel and volunteer info, and more.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Join us this spring for a series of events and trainings on the topics most often requested by the cohousing community!

Members remember to log in to your Cohousing Institute account to apply your discount. If you're logged in and your community has renewed their membership, your discounts will be automatically applied at checkout!

Non-members consider becoming a partner for $150 to access upcoming programs as well as a library of over 200 on-demand recordings, learn more here.

Group discounts are available for our multi-week trainings and our need-based scholarship application is always open to everyone. Apply here !

If you have any questions about how to register for an event, set up your Cohousing Institute account, or take advantage of a group discount, please reach out to cohousingassociationofus@gmail.com.

Mastering Marketing Basics, Wednesday, March 13 at 5pm MT
Creative Financial Strategies, Tuesday, March 19 at 4pm MT
Diversity 101: Microaggressions, Wednesday, March 20 at 4pm MT
Cohousing 101: Launching your community, March 26-April 30, Tuesdays at 5pm MT
Starting an Aging in Community Conversation, Monday, April 8 at 6:30pm MT
The Art of Calling In and Calling Out, Wednesday, April 17 at 5pm MT
Work and Participation as We Age: Myths & Realities, Tuesday, April 30 at 5pm MT
Accountability and Harm in Communities, Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30pm MT

Learn More

Save the Dates: National Open House Weekend, May 3-5 & Kick Off Meeting, March 5, 4pm PST

Join cohousing communities across the country as they open their doors to neighbors and friends from their surrounding communities. This is our chance to share the story of cohousing – who we are, how we live, and why we love this way of life. The weekend will feature a variety of virtual and in-person events from communities across the country, as well as several gatherings of national and regional groups.

First, join our kickoff event on March 5th at 4pm PST, where we’ll share resources, support, and ideas to help you launch your own open house. Register for the kick off meeting here.

See our growing list of National Cohousing Open House Weekend events here.

National Cohousing Conference Registration is now open!

In 2024, we return to our Colorado roots (did you know CohoUS began as the Rocky Mountain Cohousing Network?) and reconnect with what brings us together in the first place: an experience of deep connection and belonging.

The 2024 National Cohousing Conference will take place August 2 - 4 and feature over 48 breakout sessions.

Pre-conference intensives and bus tours will take place on August 1st and 2nd.

Learn more about the conference and register here.

Early-bird pricing is available from now through March 31st. The early-bird discount provides an additional $50 off your registration.

CohoUS members receive an additional $100 discount! To take advantage of this discount, you must be logged in and your account must be registered as a member. Reach out to us at cohousingassociationofus@gmail.com if you have questions!

Community Spotlight: Heartwood Commons

Last month we introduced Heartwood Commons in Tulsa, OK, a new 55+ cohousing community that will be ready for move-in early this year. The great news is that they still have a few homes left for sale!

We mentioned that one of the advantages of joining an existing community is that you don’t need to invest the time and energy to develop one from the ground up — which usually takes at least a few years. In this issue, we paraphrase an article from Heartwood’s latest newsletter. To learn more about Heartwood Commons, check out their website [https://www.heartwoodcommonstulsa.com/community].

View the full article here

Upcoming events

March 10 — The Commons, a free monthly gathering for the cohousing curious and experts, too; 10 a.m. MT; repeats on the 10^th of each month.

March 15 — Grass Roots Organizing: How to Get Your Cohousing Project Launched; 3-hour online workshop starting at 9 a.m. PT, 12 p.m. ET; by Chuck Durrett, The Cohousing Company; $125; register here.

March 20 — Seniors in Cohousing Q&A, an informal facilitated conversation for those who are interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing; 10 a.m. MT; repeats on the 20^th of each month; register here. Once registered, you’ll receive an email before the meeting with a link to join the call on Zoom.

April 8 — Starting an Aging in Community Conversation; CohoUS Seniors in Cohousing Committee; 5–6:30 p.m. MT; $45; more information and registration here.

April 30 — Work and Participation as we Age: Myths & Realities; CohoUS Seniors in Cohousing Committee; 5–6:30 p.m. MT; $45; more information and registration here.

In addition, the Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) offers a wide range of on-demand and rerun online courses. Check them out here.

Save the date!

Coho US’s 2024 National Cohousing Conference will take place Aug. 2–4 in Denver, CO. Early bird registration is open now. Come join this gathering of community builders, seekers and cohousing professionals who are committed to a more connected, sustainable and democratic future.

The conference will offer two sessions related to aging (date/time TBD):

Mutual Support Approaches: Exploring co-care, co-healing, and other ways to support each other.
Why Senior Cohousing? The benefits and challenges of senior vs. multi-generational communities.

Learn more about the conference and register here.

The Commons

A (free) monthly gathering for the cohousing curious

(and experts too!)

Curious about cohousing but don’t know where to start? Want to meet with cohousing newbies and experts alike? This (free) monthly gathering will include a Cohousing 101 presentation and ample time to connect and ask questions. We’ll share cohousing lingo, best practices and more information on how to continue your cohousing journey. Join us once, or every time – we’ll be here every month on the 10^th at 10am MT.

Senior Cohousing Q&A

Want to learn more about what it's like to build, join, and participate in cohousing as you age? The Senior Cohousing Advocates Committee will be facilitating an informal conversation for those interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing. This (free) event will take place every month on the 20th at 10am MT.

Upcoming Events Hosted by Our Partners and Friends:

March 1: How to Address Homelessness in Your Town- The Cohousing Co.

March 15: Grassroots Organizing: How to Get Your Cohousing Project Launched- The Cohousing Co.

Available Now: Community Led Housing

by: Ronaye Matthew and Margaret Critchlow

Everything you need to know to achieve your dream of living in community, all in one book ….

A "how to guide" that summarizes a proven approach. If founding members and their professionals follow the experience-based path we outline, they can learn how to be effective in a development context where time is money but collaboration, self-responsibility, and community connection are equally important.

Learn More and Buy the Book Here.

Will you share your community stories with us?

Submit anecdotes, photos, videos and stories so that we can help tell the story of life in community.

SHARE YOUR STORY HERE

Cohousing is part of a more sustainable, democratic and connected future.

To date, CohoUS has helped enable the development of over 200 cohousing communities in the US. These communities serve as examples of the sustainable and community-based neighborhoods our country will need in the future. Please support CohoUS and help us double that number in the next few years.

Your monthly gift will both support new initiatives as well as the continued nurturing of our communities and growth of our movement. As an Evergreen Neighbor, you can take pride in creating a legacy that will live on to support future generations.

Donations, as a community or as an individual, are accepted year round and can be made to:

Cohousing Association of the US

3860 Chase St

Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

DONATE

Professional Services

The Cohousing Company

The Cohousing Company offers design and some key development consulting service from leading cohousing expert Charles Durrett to assist you in building a high-functioning cohousing community.

Cohousing Solutions

CoHousing Solutions provides development consulting and marketing services to help you create your cohousing community.