Living Unlimited

Some exciting news about adult education for the I/DD population. Movements like this excite us because they allow for continued growth, learning, and expanding of horizons!

Hoping your holidays have been merry and bright! The Solstice has passed. From now on, there is more light in the world each day and before we know it 2020 will have passed as well. It is hard to believe that five years have passed since Living Unlimited was founded as a charitable corporation. Much has happened in that time! We have a solid board of directors and advisors, all dedicated and hard-working volunteers. See https://living-unlimited.org/about/ Clearwater Ra...nch, our first endeavor is live and our first house is occupied. See www.CRanch.net. Attached is a lovely card from one of our first residents! Our second community in Petaluma is already forming. See https://www.realtor.com//906-Mustang-Ct_Petaluma_CA_94954_ . This will serve as anchor property for our first suburban cluster of homes. We are now developing cohorts of people interested in different locations and will soon be sharing ideas with you all. Our future success is limited by two things: time and money. We would be grateful to you for either. Uncle Sam has made it easier for you to help. A $300 donation to us is tax deductible even if you don’t itemize. See https://www.irs.gov//special-300-tax-deduction-helps-most- To donate simply click the donate button at the top of this page, or you are welcome to send a check to: Living Unlimited 2625 Alcatraz Ave Berkeley CA 94705 Wishing you all a peaceful end to 2020!

Who has holiday spirit? We do! Residents of Clearwater Ranch have been spending time enjoying the season and making their home feel festive!

These young men are trailblazers! They are some of the very first people to make a Living Unlimited community their home, and are already so much a part of the fabric of their sweet town of Cloverdale. Yes, Living Unlimited has not one, but two properties now! With your help, they will work on buying the next one, further expanding the possibility for secure housing for more who need it. #GivingTuesday #givingourthankstoyou

Facebook matching begins at 5:00 AM Pacific! Thank you so much for your generosity on this very special day. No matter the size, your donation makes a BIG impact!

Giving Tuesday starts tomorrow! We appreciate your support and wish you a wonderful holiday season.

If you missed the San Francisco Autism Society's annual conference on November 16, 2019 at Stanford University, have a look at the archives of the all-day conference. Here's the link: https://www.sfautismsociety.org/2019-stanford-sfasa-confere The annual conference aimed at the pragmatic informational needs of parents, caregivers and professionals who have the responsibility to support and help make plans for teens and adults with autism or related developmental disabilities. It featured 64 speakers, 450+ attendees, information tables and sponsor tables.

Hello: You are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, December 8th in Sunnyvale where we will present our housing and community concept and introduce our community, Clearwater Ranch Community. < https://clearwaterranchcommunity.com/> ... Here are the details: Sunday Dec 8, 2019 1-4 pm 1113 Reed Ave (condo clubhouse) Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Please come if this is of interest. Ours is an equity model. An investment from you will secure wonderful housing and community for your child. If you are planning to come, please reply to this email and let us know. Everyone is welcome! Kind regards, Clearwater Ranch Community

Self Determination Informational Meeting May 5 The Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a new, voluntary program based on person centered planning allowing you more freedom to choose the services and supports in your life.... Join us to learn more about the Self-Determination Program! Are you, or a member of your family, an individual with a developmental disability? Are you interested in having more freedom to choose how resources are spent in helping you reach your goals? Attendance at one Pre-Enrollment Informational meeting is a necessary step to pursuing participation in the program through the East Bay Regional Center (all interested parties are welcome). Saturday May 5th 2:00 - 4:00 pm Location: El Cerrito RSVP to: [email protected] (address and directions provided to those who RSVP)

We did it! We purchased our first Living Unlimited Community. Clearwater Ranch Community in Cloverdale is now ours. If you are interested in learning more about our Clearwater Ranch Community project, please come to our informational meeting this Saturday in Sunnyvale. We will be meeting on Saturday April 21, from 1pm to 3pm at: Sunnyvale Meadows Condo Complex... The clubhouse by the pool 1113 Reed Ave Sunnyvale CA 94086 (see below for thorough directions) Please RSVP to [email protected] if you are planning to come.

At long last, we are having an introductory meeting in the South Bay, March 31, from 1pm to 3pm at: Sunnyvale Meadows Condo Complex The clubhouse by the pool 1113 Reed Ave... Sunnyvale CA 94086 If you are still exploring options for your child, have capital to invest in a permanent life-long accommodation, and have not yet met us, you may find this useful and important. We still have a few places left at Clearwater Ranch and you may be interested in one. See http://www.living-unlimited.org/clearwater-ranch-in-clover/ for more details. This is a rare find, and would be difficult or impossible to replace. Please come if you are interested. While we cannot provide caregiving, an RSVP would still be appreciated. Hope to see you there.

Dear Living Unlimited Families, The Friends of Children with Special Needs has the most incredible talent show that you will ever see. You really need to see the amazing talent that some of our Special Needs friends have. You won't be disappointed. Come embrace & celebrate our community's most talented as they reach for the stars. The contestants all have IEPs and/or IPPs, let's support and applaud them for breaking stereotypes most people have for the special needs!... The 4th annual Special Needs Talent Showcase is on March 24, 7pm at the Santa Clara Convention Center Theater. This is an unfunded event purely supported by our community through sponsorship and ticket sales. This is not a fundraiser. FCSN aims to provide this tremendous moment for special folks to shine, and the opportunity for them to be recognized for their abilities. Join us for the spectacular show you can't find anywhere else. (see attached flyer) Sponsored by ABC7, Warriors, SARC, RCEB, Kaiser Permanente. Tickets: $20/ea. VIP tickets: $50/ea. click: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=6b99a8. Or email ticket orders to [email protected] and mail checks payable to FCSN, memo: SNTS to 2300 Peralta Blvd, Fremont 94536. Thanks. 2017 SNTS Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FAOOLGh9Pk Hope to see you on 3/24! Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts promptly at 7pm at Santa Clara Convention Center Theater: 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara.

First and foremost, we are establishing our first Living Unlimited Community! Clearwater Ranch Community in Cloverdale is in the final stages of being purchased. If you think your child would prosper and flourish in a rural environment NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. Founding families are seeking 2 families to round out the initial community. Once these last two families are found other residents will be added on a much slower and deliberative basis. Financing is currently being secured, so as we add families the initial families will be re-paid for half of their initial investment. Making it more affordable.

Living Unlimited is registered as a TEAM at this event>>>> Hello DANCE-A-THON FOR AUTISM 2018 Partners! This year's DANCE-A-THON FOR AUTISM will be held on Saturday, April 14, from 2-6pm at the same location as last year, Cubberly Pavilion in Palo Alto.... Dance-a-thon info page: https://www.sfautismsociety.org/dance-a-thon.html

Irene Litherland has listening sessions this month on crisis services in Alameda County. The more families we have participate, the stronger our input will be to the county on how best to improve supports for our family members who hmay need of crisis services. Please see the attached document on the March listening session that is coming up for this event.

Dear LU Families, We're having another Living Unlimited Presentation to talk about our housing concept and an opportunity to meet families who are already building the Clearwater Creek Community in Cloverdale. Those interested in meeting families in the Clearwater Creek Community are invited to St. Mary High School on Sunday the 21st of January at 1:30pm.... Those interested in learning more about the Living Unlimited housing concept are invited to St. Mary High School on Sunday the 21st of January at 2pm. We are also having another tour of Clearwater Creek on Saturday January 27 from noon to 2. I apologize that this is going out so late... we at our home have had a flu filled early January. Ugh! Please come if you can (I promise I'm no longer contagious) and please just ignore me if attending these events is of no interest. Sincerely, -Susan Here's St. Mary's address: St Mary’s College High School 1294 Albina Ave, Albany, CA 94706

3. Clearwater Community Working Session And finally, on December 17 there will be a working session for families who have already committed to the Clearwater Community in Cloverdale. There will be a foundational meeting at 2pm and those interested but not yet committed are invited to join in at 4pm to meet these wonderful families and their children. Childcare will be provided, but please RSVP to [email protected] so she knows how many care providers should attend. Also, she will send you address and directions. Hope to see you there!

2. Clearwater Ranch in Cloverdale Also on December 10 at noon we will be Visiting Clearwater Ranch in Cloverdale If interested in touring the site, please send an email to [email protected] for directions.

1. Living Unlimited in partnership with Autism Fun Bay Area will be hosting two Azure concerts and parties for our families and their developmentally disabled kids. "Jazzmatazz", the annual Holiday Jazz Azure Fun Show featuring a live 5 piece band and the award-winning song-stylist Kimberly Hands, will be happening on 2 dates in 2 separate locations. All behaviors are welcome! December 9 Stanford @ 2:30pm WHERE: Campbell Recital Hall, Stanford University... 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 COST: Free - but you must sign up for a limited number of tickets at autismfunbayarea.org December 10 San Francisco @ 2:30pm WHERE: St. Cyprians Church Turk and Lyon, San Francisco, CA 94305 COST: Free - but you must sign up for a limited number of tickets at autismfunbayarea.org

Dear Living Unlimited Families: First of all, I apologize that I forgot to send this invite out earlier. We now have eight families signed on and committed to building the Clearwater Community in Cloverdale. In addition, it appears that the current owner is willing to carry a 50% loan on the property which means that all we need are ten families to move forward and purchase the property and start getting the community established. A loan on the property makes it so that the ...money down will be reduced significantly once we have the 20 families. There are some significant benefits to being one of the first ten founding families (e.g. buy in is lower than those who come after the first ten and you have more say in future community members - plus we're a fun group!). We are scheduling another visit to Clearwater Ranch in Cloverdale on December 10, at noon, meeting at 611 Cherry Creek Road, Cloverdale (park to the left just inside the stone gate). We would love to see you there. Please email [email protected] if you are planning to come. And for families who have already seen Clearwater Ranch in Cloverdale, who are still interested but have not yet committed, we are having a gathering of the founding families on Sunday the 17th of December and we are inviting you to visit with us and see if the Clearwater Ranch Cloverdale community might be the right fit. All our best, Susan Riggle (Vice Chair Living Unlimited)