CoHousing Solutions Newsletter | September 2018
Greetings!

Here's a quick look at this month's newsletter...

  • Community Updates: Skagit Cohousing & Bassett Creek Cohousing take next steps with professionally-led workshops
  • High-profile articles on cohousing to read and share
  • 500 Communities Program embarks on its third year with the 2018 cohort

Enjoy!

- Katie & Bethany, The CoHousing Solutions Team
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Obtained Land, Chose an Architect, and will Host a Kick-Off Workshop with Katie McCamant!
Skagit Cohousing is moving forward! After hiring CoHousing Solutions, they've gotten land under contract in Anacortes, and now will host a Kick-Off Workshop with CoHousing Solutions President and co-author of Creating Cohousing, Katie McCamant. During this 2-day workshop, Katie will lead the members and explorers of this budding group through the cohousing development process, financing and legal aspects, costs and timelines, community building/process, membership, and more.
The group has also hired Schemata Workshop as their architect - you might recognize this firm from Grace Kim's inspiring TED Talk: "How Cohousing Can Make Us Happier (And Live Longer)."
“We are designed to be in connection with one another,” project founder Karen Gimnig says, “yet we live in spaces that separate us and prevent us from interacting. Cohousing turns that around and brings us together. It isn’t always easy, but it is always rich and the challenges bring growth.”
Twin Cities Group to Host Shelly Parks for a Let's Launch Workshop
October 6, 2018
Led by Shelly Parks of CoVision Consulting (and a CS Affiliate),  this workshop will focus on launching cohousing in the Twin Cities area by giving the group the training and tools needed to ensure a successful community!
MAKING THE HEADLINES
You might have already noticed, but cohousing has been making the headlines recently. We know (and most likely you do too!) what a great way of life it is, but now we need to go out there and create more examples of community for people to see and experience first-hand... Wouldn't it be great if no-one had to ask you, "What's cohousing?" ... We believe it's possible!

These are some of the high-profile articles from the last couple of months. Please share with your friends, family, and networks and let's harness this momentum to "educate" society and to create more cohousing so everyone has the opportunity to live in community.
Featured Article
"When was the last time you actually borrowed an egg from the guy next door? Do your friends show up in your social media feeds more often than in your backyard? Do you even know your neighbors’ names—and would they know if you needed help?

Maybe that’s why what’s old is new again in housing, from tight-knit neighborhoods where residents look after one another to fresh twists on boardinghouses. The hot word is  communal."

Further Reading
500 COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
2018 Course Kicks Off!
Lively September Retreat Starts the Program with 12 New Trainees from Across the Country and Globe
The 2018-19 year of the 500 Communities Program started a couple weekends ago with a Kick-Off Retreat in Nevada City, California. And what a great weekend it was! The trainees came from as far away as Australia, Canada, and from all over the U.S. This is a stellar group of folks, each with their unique backgrounds and skillsets, yet sharing a common passion for building community and growing the cohousing movement, while also figuring out a way to make a sustained career in this field.

We convened at Nevada City Cohousing for a weekend chalk full of inspiration, information, fun, and new friendships. Over the course of three days, Katie led training sessions in cohousing development and took the trainees on in-depth tours of both Nevada City Cohousing and Wolf Creek Lodge (senior community in a nearby town). On Saturday night, the trainees split up into teams and had a bona fide cohousing experience by cooking a delicious common dinner for the community... 45 people total!

At the end of the retreat, we delved into what brought us to this point. It was a powerful experience to see this group of professionals expressing how they want to make real, positive change in their respective areas, and that each one has a driving motivation to enact a more sustainable and connected future. We're so excited to see what this next year and beyond has in store!
The 500 Communities Program 2018-19 Class
Trainees from left to right. Top row: Heli Carlile, Desiree Kameka, Eugenie Stockmann, Randa Johnson. Middle row: Brian Cornelius, David Kelley, Christine Clements. Bottom row: Bethany Celio (program assistant), Sarah Arthurs, Katie McCamant (program lead), Lynn Gaffney, Alexandria Levitt, Sean Morris. Not Pictured: Cheryl Gladu
Considering applying in 2020? Stay in touch!
Make sure you're on the email interest list to receive updates and information about the program
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 29-30, 2018
Seafarers' Memorial Park Building
Anacortes, WA

Interested in joining Skagit Cohousing? Contact them today!
October 6, 2018
St. Paul, Minnesota

Interested in attending the workshop?
Led by Chuck Durrett of McCamant & Durrett Architects
Starting October 10
Wednesdays, 9:30am-12:30pm, PST

Become a facilitator in empowering seniors to age in place successfully. Learn effective tools, which will enhance your current profession or help you start on a new path! More info and register here.
May 30 - June 2, 2019
Portland, OR

Save the date for the National Cohousing Conference in Spring of 2019. The CoHousing Solutions Affiliates will be there in force... it's an event you won't want to miss!
We're Here to Help!
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.
Photo by Ed Asmus
Architecture by McCamant & Durrett Architects
CoHousing Solutions | (530) 478-1970 www.cohousing-solutions.com
Send us an email: [email protected]
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