It’s the question every parent of a disabled child asks:
What will happen to my child when I’m gone?
The need
For families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), the options for long-term care and housing are severely limited. In Michigan, special school services end at age 26, causing parents to resume daily caregiving roles, and leaving these young adults with few options for independence, community engagement, or growth.
While some homes in southern Michigan meet the needs of people with IDD, Charlevoix and Emmet counties lack group or adult foster care homes. As local parents age and look for options, the question looms: What will happen to my child when I’m gone?
The solution
Ann’s Nest, based in Harbor Springs, Michigan, seeks to answer this question by offering affordable housing for adults with IDD.
Based on successful housing communities in Wisconsin and southern Michigan serving people with IDD, the Ann’s Nest campus will offer group homes and independent living options for people with a variety of physical and developmental needs. Ann’s Nest will partner with existing local organizations to offer job training, social opportunities, and enrichment activities. Caregiving services on site will allow people with IDD to get the care they need in an environment built for their success.
What are IDDs?
IDDs are differences that are usually present at birth and that uniquely affect the trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.
Intellectual disability starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by differences with both:
Intellectual functioning or intelligence, which include the ability to learn, reason, problem solve, and other skills; and
Adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social and life skills.
The term "developmental disabilities" is a broader category of often lifelong challenges that can be intellectual, physical, or both.
"IDD" is the term often used to describe situations in which intellectual disability and other disabilities are present.
Source: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/ idds/conditioninfo
Housing Needs in Our Region are Great
In the six-county region served by North County Community Mental Health, 603 adults and 312 children are registered and receive federal and state funding. Of these, the majority of adults either live at home with their parents or are moved downstate to group homes miles away from friends or family.
North Country Community Mental Health serves the six counties shown in dark blue on the map.
Ann’s Nest was born out of the boundless affection Ann Vala had for her son John. The profound love and unwavering dedication she domonstrated throughout her life will live on through Ann’s Nest, an organization dedicated to providing housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
In honor of her love and spirit, we are committed to extending the love and care she showed for John by providing a nurturing environment that goes beyond safe and supporting housing. By providing a home where adults with developmental disabilities can reach their full potential, Ann’s Nest echoes the legacy of compassion and care left behind by Ann.
“Everyone
deserves a place to call home where they will be safe, healthy, and valued. We want to build that place for people with IDD.”
- Bob Vala, Co-Founder
The need is great, the options are few, but your generosity can have a far-reaching impact. Here’s how supporting Ann’s Nest helps individuals, families, and our community:
Your impact
Individuals
People with IDD deserve affordable, safe housing options. Ann’s Nest homes will be beautiful, comfortable, accessible, and fully equipped for resident needs. Your support will provide forever homes for adults with IDD. In addition, our community partnerships, professional support staff, and programming will offer the support needed for our residents to thrive.
Families
Families gain peace of mind knowing their relatives have secure, permanent homes, allowing them to engage more fully in the community and with their loved ones. Ann’s Nest will provide comfortable spaces for families and residents to gather and interact.
Our Community
By integrating IDD individuals into community activities, Ann’s Nest fosters understanding and connection throughout Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Ann’s Nest homes will also create employment opportunities for caregivers and facility managers, and enable family caregivers to re-enter the workforce.
You can help people like John and Todd live long, full, and dignified lives.
Our mission
Guided by faith, Ann’s Nest offers a living environment of love, friendship, and belonging. Through the provision of safe and comfortable housing options with comprehensive professional support services, we empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilling, dignified, and selfdetermined lives.
Todd Matthews, age 16, lives in Petoskey and attends school at the Taylor School run by the Char-Em ISD. Todd has multiple medical and intellectual disabilities that make it impossible for him to live on his own. Ann’s Nest would provide a place for people like Todd who need around-theclock care.
John Vala, age 26, is an energetic young adult with severe Autism. He also attended the Taylor School in Petoskey, but now relies on in-home care every day to provide his on-going support needs. He would thrive in an environment with more opportunities for socialization, activity, and connection.
Successful IDD communities have many things in common.
We’ve spent time connecting with them to determine the best way to move forward.
Becoming more common across the U.S., communities for individuals with IDD have many lessons to offer. We've been researching the ones we admire in Michigan and Wisconsin to learn best practices and establish a solid foundation for our own initiative.
These organizations are successfully serving the IDD population, and we've built relationships with Board Members, CEOs, and Development Directors to learn how they do it. Ann's Nest will build on these strong, long-standing models of support for the IDD community, and create our own, unique environment in northern Michigan.
Members of our Board and Advisory Committee visited with the CEO of David’s Place (above) and the Development Director of Benjamin’s Hope (left).
PROPERTY&INITIALBUILD PHASE1
We are searching for the optimal piece of property to build the Ann’s Nest community. Ideally we would have 7-15 acres close to Harbor Springs and/or Petoskey. Access to existing water and electric systems would be a plus.
One 6-Bedroom House
Private bathrooms for each room
Walk-in showers
Two separate living spaces for flexibility and comfort
Combined staff room/office for onsite support and administration
One Activity Center
A shared space for communal activities and interaction. Start with a basic structure and have potential options to add on in next phases.
Two Vans
Handicap accessible vans will provide reliable transportation for residents to appointments, activities, and other offsite needs.
The first structure built will be a home for six individuals. We plan to adjust house plans developed by another community for individuals with IDD. They have created this plan after 25 years of experience working with this population.
PHASE2
PROGRAMMING
Ann's Nest will offer enriching day programs designed to create a sense of connection and community for both residents and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from the broader community. These programs will provide opportunities for participants to learn new skills and explore interests in activities like cooking, painting, kayaking, and gardening. Through these experiences, Ann’s Nest will foster meaningful connections and a welcoming environment that supports growth, independence, and belonging for all involved.
Community Partners
We are connecting with community partners to offer additional activities. Challenge Mountain in Boyne City and Bergmann Center in Charlevoix already offer programs accessible for people with IDD.
BELONGING
Our LIVE, LEARN, PLAY model fosters three key elements that nurture belonging for people with IDD.
LEARN
EXPANSION PHASE3
After the first home and activity center are built, we will continue fundraising for further expansion of the Ann’s Nest community. As we expand, our goal is to offer more people with IDD opportunities for housing, job training, and enrichment.
Site Preparation
Ready for future expansion, including additional homes, driveways, sidewalks, and activity areas
Second Home
Similar layout and amenities as the first home
Kitchen
For cooking classes, communal meals, and daily food preparation, fostering independence and life skills
Walking Path
A safe, scenic route for residents and staff to enjoy nature and exercise
Greenhouse
For horticulture programs, offering both therapeutic activities and potential for garden-to-table initiatives
Trout Pond
A peaceful space for recreation and outdoor engagement
Outdoor Pavilion/Tent
A meeting area for gatherings, events, and social activities
Paul Matthews David Llyod Bob Vala Tina Boughner Jennifer Joneson
Advisors & Committee Members
Christopher K. Kreid
Jim Hart
John Damoose, Sr. Nancy Damoose
How you can help
Dan Cassasanta Libby Lince
Mark Zabawa
Please consider making a transformational gift to change the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Project preliminary budget
Land purchase & site preparation: $1,000,000
Construction, first home: $1,500,000
Construction, Phase 1 of the Activity Center: $2,000,000
Purchase of two accessible vans: $100,000
Operational costs for years 1-3: $400,000
Total cost for first phase of the project: $5,000,000
To learn more or to make a pledge, return the pledge form enclosed, call us at 231-675-6313, or email us at annsnest49740@gmail.com.
930 S. State Street, Unit 13, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 annsnest.org | annsnest49740@gmail.com