Meet KADE Patterson

Born from a Dream: The Nest Where Healing and Hope Take Flight

BY KADE PATTERSON, CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, THE NEST CO-OP INC. 501(C)(3)

MY NAME IS KADE PATTERSON.

I’m a disabled Army veteran, recreational therapist, founder of Get Rec’d, and co-founder and president of The Nest Co-op Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. My story—and the story of The Nest—didn’t begin in a boardroom or during a strategy meeting. It began with brokenness, resilience and, eventually, a dream that woke me in the middle of the night.

Years ago, I suffered a catastrophic injury that changed my life forever. During my time in rehabilitation, I met a recreational therapist—but to be honest, I wasn’t impressed with the care I received. Her approach felt generic and impersonal, consisting of art projects that didn’t reflect who I was or what I truly needed as a brand-new wheelchair user. There was no connection, no customization and no dignity in the experience. I left that program determined to never let someone feel that unseen or misunderstood again. Everything changed when I attended a healing retreat for disabled veterans in Sun Valley, Idaho, hosted by Higher Ground. That’s where I discovered adaptive sports and met a recreational therapist named Bert Gillette. Bert didn’t just introduce me to recreational therapy—he redefined it. He didn’t see me as a diagnosis or a limitation. He saw potential. That moment planted a seed that would eventually grow into Get Rec’d and, later, The Nest.

When I returned from that retreat, I became determined to figure out how to become a recreational therapist. It took time to even discover the correct term—”recreational therapy”—but once I found it, there was no turning back.

After working with another organization in community-based care for a year, I launched Get Rec’d. I had a vision: to revolutionize how we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through tailored, meaningful therapy. More than anything, I wanted to create a work environment where staff felt seen, heard and appreciated.

At first, it was just me. Then I hired my first employee, Erin Eaton. Right away, I knew she was special. We worked seamlessly together. She brought structure, organization and a quiet fire to our growing business that perfectly complemented my own creative and passionate drive. Within the first year, Erin became my business partner. She now owns 20% of Get Rec’d, and together we’ve grown the company to employ 30 dedicated professionals across Indiana, offering recreational and music therapy to those who need it most.

BUT WE BOTH KNEW WE WERE CALLED TO DO MORE.

One night, I woke up from a vivid dream. In it, I saw a place—a sanctuary—where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and disabled veterans could live, work and thrive together. Not a facility. Not a program. A community. I got out of bed and began writing down everything I saw in that dream. That was the beginning of The Nest Co-op Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. I shared the vision with Erin, and she immediately jumped in—not just with encouragement, but with action. As co-founder and vice president of The Nest, Erin is instrumental in bringing our vision to life. She holds a dual major in recreational therapy and philanthropy and nonprofit management, along with a minor in animal-assisted interventions. With nearly a decade of hands-on experience in recreational therapy and a natural gift for connecting with the community through social media, fundraising and storytelling, Erin ensures our mission doesn’t just live in our hearts—it reaches the hearts of others.

Erin’s focus is on building additional programs, securing grant funding and ensuring the hard work of our team is amplified. She keeps us grounded while helping us dream bigger. Her heart is in every part of this project.

Together, we are leading The Nest with the belief that everyone deserves to belong.

The Nest will be a permanent, thriving community built on more than 80 acres of land—where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and disabled veterans can access housing, employment, recreational and music therapy, and meaningful connection.

We envision 70 mini homes—tiny but dignified, functional and, most importantly, accessible. Of those, 50 will serve individuals with ID/DD, and 10 will house disabled veterans. At least half of the homes will be wheelchair accessible. This isn’t just about roofs over heads— it’s about creating real lives, real jobs and real independence.

WE PLAN TO CREATE COMMUNITY SPACES THAT NOURISH BOTH BODY AND SOUL. IMAGINE A VIBRANT TOWN SQUARE THAT INCLUDES:

• A community cafeteria where residents can dine together

• A coffee shop and bakery operated by residents, offering dignified employment and a place for connection

• An art and music studio for expression and therapy

• An education center, library and computer room to support learning and digital inclusion

• A fully equipped fitness center with adaptive equipment for inclusive health and movement

• Equine therapy facilities and organic farming areas will offer opportunities for physical healing, responsibility and access to fresh, healthy food

Through these resources, The Nest will create over 50 jobs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities—from the bakery to the gym to the farm. These aren’t token jobs. These are dignified, meaningful roles that build skills, confidence and community. The entire campus will be fully wheelchair accessible, because accessibility isn’t a bonus—it’s the baseline.

As a disabled veteran, I know what it feels like to be forgotten. And as a recreational therapist, I’ve seen that same look in the eyes of so many clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Nest is our answer to that. It’s a loud and loving declaration that you are not forgotten.

The need in Indiana is staggering. Over 100,000 Hoosiers rely on Medicaid Waiver programs like the Family Supports Waiver (FSW) and the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver. Yet, housing options for higher-functioning individuals who still require support are severely lacking. There are virtually no communities that combine affordable housing with employment and recreation for this population— or for disabled veterans seeking independence. The Nest fills that gap.

But it won’t happen overnight. This dream requires meticulous planning, tireless community outreach and significant funding.

OUR GOALS ARE CLEAR:

• Secure the land: 80+ acres of hope

• Build 70 mini houses: Designed through Incredible Tiny Homes, each unit (with solar energy systems) costs $44,200. Our total housing budget: $3,094,000

• Create the community: Repurpose existing buildings, construct new ones and fill them with life, learning and laughter

In addition, The Nest will:

• Provide housing for 50 individuals with ID/DD

• Provide housing for 10 disabled veterans

• Create employment for 50+ residents

• Launch adaptive sports programs (including Special Olympics and Paralympic initiatives)

• Develop sustainable agriculture and green living models to reduce our carbon footprint

At its core, The Nest is about more than services. It’s about belonging. It’s about waking up each day and knowing you’re a part of something. That someone expects you. That you have a purpose.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the honor of being named Recreational Therapist of the Year by our national certifying body, awarded the Frank Basile Clinician of the Year through NCTRC 2022, Entrepreneur of the Year by a national CEU organization, and most recently, Recreational Therapy Entrepreneur of the Year for 2025 by the Smart CEU Hub. I’ve also been nominated for the 2025 Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year. But all of that pales in comparison to seeing one individual regain their voice, their autonomy or their joy through our work. That’s what matters most.

I’m also proud to share another way I stay connected and empowered as a disabled veteran—I play on the Indy Steel Sled Hockey Team as a left defenseman. Get Rec’d is a financial sponsor of the team. We pay for every disabled veteran’s hotel stay for travel tournaments, purchased jerseys for the entire youth and adult team, and covered half the hotel costs for every player to attend the national championships this year in Florida. It’s another way we ensure veterans are seen, valued and supported in doing what they love.

I’m not doing this alone. Erin Eaton is with me every step of the way. Her leadership, empathy and sharp vision keep us moving forward when the road feels impossible. Together, we dream of reaching 100,000 people through the programs and opportunities we plan to launch at The Nest—and we believe we can do it.

We’re building more than a nonprofit. We’re building a future. A future where no one is too different to belong. Where veterans are honored, not hidden. Where individuals with disabilities are celebrated, not sidelined.

So to our community, our donors, our future partners: we invite you into this dream. Let’s make a world where healing, purpose and joy don’t just visit—but take root.

LET’S BUILD THE NEST.

If you have any questions, ideas or feel called to support this mission, you can reach me at kade@getrecd. care and Erin at erin@getrecd.care We’re always open to collaborations, partnerships and the wisdom of others who believe in this work.

Thank you for believing with us.