PORT TOWNSEND — They envisioned a home that would support a community way of life, a rhythm of daily activities, meaningful work, seasonal celebrations, natural therapies and relationships of mutual respect and dignity.
Olympic Neighbors’ vision came to fruition. Cue the ice cream.
The East Jefferson County nonprofit completed its first adult family home for six individuals with developmental disabilities, dubbed “Hamilton House.” It will be one of just two adult family homes on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The community is invited to an open house and ice-cream social today to tour the house and meet the residents, board members, friends and families.
It will be at 2680 Highland Loop Drive from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Elevated Ice Cream Co. will provide frosty treats for the occasion.
Olympic Neighbors formed in the 1990s to establish a community inspired by the international Camphill movement, consisting of more than 100 communities in 22 countries where youths and adults with developmental disabilities experience independence, healthy living and therapeutic work.
Likewise, the Hamilton House will focus on nutritious living and meaningful labor.
“Daily activities will depend on each individual’s needs, interests and skills,” the website reads. “Creating and eating nutritious meals together will be a primary foundation of community living. In addition to part time jobs, volunteering, and involvement with existing community programs in Port Townsend, workshops and cottage industries will be developed.”
Bob Wheeler, president of Olympic Neighbors, said the Hamilton House will be actively involved in the community and hopes the community will also take an active role in the residents’ lives.
“Too often, the disability community is isolated from the greater community,” he said. “Our goal is to have the developmental disability community be really involved as a viable, vibrant group.”
Wheeler said the six residents range in age from 19 to 52. A couple residents are avid Seahawks fans and have already decorated their rooms with green and blue.
By law, two residents can live in the home until the group home becomes licensed. Then, the other four will move in, likely by mid-fall, Wheeler said.
The house will employ a 24-hour staff of nursing assistants and home care aides. Matthew Gatheringwater, a registered nurse, will serve as resident manager.
Gatheringwater said he was attracted to the position because of the board’s vision of creating an adult family home that cares for caregivers as well as residents.
“Too often, people who do the most difficult and necessary jobs in our society are paid the least for their work,” he said. “Olympic Neighbors supports paying caregivers a living wage.”
The house will require about $240,000 per year in maintenance costs, food, employees’ salaries and benefits, and activities for the residents, Wheeler said. About two-thirds of the funding for the home will come from state and federal programs. Olympic Neighbors will continue to fundraise for the remaining costs.
For more information about the organization or to donate, visit www.olympic neighbors.org.
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Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsula dailynews.com.
