Our Mission is: "To be a participatory community of mutual support in which all spiritual paths are respected and encouraged."
ElderSpirit community in Abingdon, Virginia is a unique intentional community that has combined many components in such a way that a lifestyle for pro-active elders has purpose and meaning. The components are: co-housing in a mixed income community, member-management, spirituality, and mutual support.
ElderSpirit community is an experiment in affirmative aging. The community was created as an antidote to "the three negatives of aging" as defined by Bill Thomas, a pioneer with the "greenhouse" movement: feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. Residents at ElderSpirit are engaged in “growing” a community that encourages allowing and integrating a variety of differences, and living the common values. At the same time we are engaged in "growing" ourselves, encouraging personal development and growth.
It is exciting! What has emerged from the group is an entity that no single individual could have imagined or implemented, including activities that are community-generated.
Late-life spirituality is being defined on an ongoing daily basis through service, prayer and deepening relationships. Mutual support is being lived by not just taking a meal to someone but learning to give and receive help in such a way that both parties feel valued.
ElderSpirit community is a work in progress. May it always be!!!
This community welcomes all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, elderliness, or national origin.
NEWS FLASH! A video story featuring ElderSpirit and produced by Columbia News21 jounalists from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism was posted on the New York Times website. Click on the logo to view the story and a brief video:
In 2011 we celebrated the Fifth Anniversary of our Community! Click this arrowfor photos.
The Virginia Commonwealth Council on Aging presented second place in its Best Practices Award competition to ElderSpirit Development Corporation with the words "Aging in community is the answer". Follow the arrow to learn more
At the 2011 National Conference of the Cohousing Association of the United States, ElderSpirit developer Dene Peterson was honored with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. Follow the arrow for photos
The ElderSpirit Autumn Retreat was held in September, 2011 and more retreats will be held in the future - click this arrow for information.
Part of Kathy Hutson's life story was recently published in the magazine of her alma mater, Vanderbilt
For other good news click this arrow !!
To explore the history of ElderSpirit Community and other Elder Intentional Communities, or if you'd like to take steps towards developing your own ElderSpirit Community, please follow the following link to the website of ElderSpirit Communities, Inc.: www.elderspirit.net
Our Community embraces these dimensions of late-life spirituality:
Inner Work
Caring for Oneself
Mutual Support
Community Service
Reverence for Creation
Creative Life
Trailview Community in Abingdon includes 29 homes, 13 of which are purchased at market-rate, and 16 of which are rental units.
The single-story, wheelchair accessible homes are clustered around a shared pedestrian green space.
Common structures include a Spirit Center for contemplative activities as well as other spiritual events, and a Common House, the hub of community life for shared meals, meetings and other gatherings.
In addition to these homes, there are off-site homes constructed by members.
ElderSpirit Community will hold an Autumn Retreat in September, 2012 - click arrowfor information.
Our Mission is: "To be a participatory community of mutual support in which all spiritual paths are respected and encouraged."
for information.