The realization of the importance of professionals in this field inspired me to create the 500 Communities Program, a year-long virtual training to bring more professionals into the field and pass on the lessons learned from the last three decades. If more people are going to experience living in authentic communities, we need more professionals trained to support the creation of those communities. And it’s worked! Over 20 people from across the US, Canada and Australia have graduated from the program. You can learn more about what some of the graduates of last classes are doing below and on our website.

We are now recruiting for the fourth 500 Communities Class, and will be accepting applications until June 15^th, and the class will start in September 2021. If you are interested in learning more about professional roles in community development and the 500 Communities Program, join me at one of the upcoming events (listed below) to learn more and ask your questions.

Shelly Parks had a nationally recognized career leading Sales and Marketing teams for Continuing Care Retirement Communities. In her search to answer the question, “How can we do this better?” Shelly discovered the cohousing movement, and the 500 Communities Program. After enrolling in the program Shelly launched Covision Consulting, and now works full time as a sales and marketing consultant for cohousing communities, helping them to be their most effective at finding their future neighbors. She also helped sell out her own community, Skagit Commons in Anacortes, WA, which is now under construction.

“I am so excited about the experience that Shelly has brought to the cohousing movement, helping us to reach more people and communities to be more effective in their outreach. Cohousers are very enthusiastic, but few have any understanding of the sales process.”  

With her experience, Shelly is adaptable in meeting groups where they are, and supporting them in refining their marketing efforts. Through workshops, implementing Customer Relations Systems, community coordination, and her consulting services, Shelly is changing the way cohousing communities navigate their membership process. Shelly's current client list includes: Washington Commons in West Sacramento, CA, Heartwood Commons in Tulsa, OK, Alpenglow Cohousing in Ridgeway, CO, River Song Cohousing in Eugene, OR, Juniper Hill Commons in Harrisonburg, VA, Our Home Cathedral Park in Portland, OR, and Mosaic Village in Calgary, AB Canada.

Desiree is the Director of the Autism Housing Network for the Madison House Autism Foundation, and a recognized disability housing expert. Desiree found cohousing, and the 500 Communities Program through her mission to create more housing options for people of the neurodiverse community.

Desiree’s work is focused on researching housing models like cohousing, and advocating on issues of autism in adulthood, and consulting with existing and emerging residential projects. She is the co-author and co-editor of the newly released A Place in the World Report & Housing Market Guide and  is cited in media outlets such as Rolling Stone Magazine, NPR, Psychology Today and ABC News. She has spoken nationally and internationally at prestigious events such as the UBS Global Autism Innovation Roundtable, Great Minds Coming Together on Autism International Conference, United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, and at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

We provide development consulting services to help you create your sustainable neighborhood. Our team pioneered the development of cohousing in North America, and we have helped create dozens of successful communities.

Our newest venture involves training passionate cohousing entrepreneurs through the year-long 500 Communities Program.