alorenz75 | Ridgeview Place at Lake Chelan

Social Entrepreneurship: Ridgeview Place’s Special Sauce

Ridgeview Place is a bunch of things. It is a home for special needs adults. It is an inclusive place, that invites interaction between the community and its resident owners. It is a place where residents experience and benefit from both home ownership and owning their own business. A unique style of Social Entrepreneurship weaves the residential and employment experience together in a very unique way.

It’s easy to be busy. Busy isn’t enough to assure a financially sustainable life. Most of the opportunities in our area for adults that are neurologically atypical involve menial work and menial reward. We simply rejected the premise that these hard working adults should be so limited.

Therefore, the business at Ridgeview had to make good sense as a profit making business, period. Busy work wouldn’t cut it; we sought actual, productive business, a profitable, commercial enterprise. That is an unusual requirement for businesses set up to benefit adults with special needs. But that is exactly the requirement that allows for pretty much unlimited opportunity for the resident owners at Ridgeview. The only limit on the opportunities, and incomes, of the owners at Ridgeview is the imagination and motivation of the people involved.

And yes, business is a team sport. The business has lots of things to do for the resident owners as well as their families and supporters. Of course, we chose an initial business that has a fun, social work environment. The work involves all skill levels, so we have things that people of all skill levels can be successful doing.

But it is entrepreneurial at its core. We identified a commercial opportunity and organized a venture to implement it. And, we will do that again and again as we grow.

It is truly a beautiful thing. Those who come to see it tell me there is nothing else like it. If a group of social entrepreneurs is the type of team you want to be involved with, don’t hesitate to check it out. We only have a few spots available.

Save

Here we are in October!

We are now operating the vocational part of the project in the shop building, have hired a house parent, irrigation for the vineyard is in place and here are the latest photos of the home:

Ridgeview the Lake and the City of Chelan

One more showing the location, both close to town and having some room!

Cubbies for bins with gloves, boots, hats, etc. on the way to the laundry room. The row of coat hooks across from them are yet to be installed.

Laundry with storage and a couple each washers and dryers.

Each Owner/Resident room has its own bathroom, walk in closet, desk area, sitting area and television connection.

Another angle on the Owner/Resident room.

There are two options for floors and tile work in the Owner/Resident Bathrooms.

The showers are low entry so they can be converted for assisted wheelchair use and headers for rails are already in the walls.

The other tile/floor choice. Header for rails are around the toilets too.

Resident shower tile with low entry shower. Converts for assisted wheelchair use.

Light, bright and tall ceilings in the House Parent quarters

Entry and desk areas for House Parents quarters

Guest rooms, with bathrooms, for visitors, guests, family, etc.

There are 2 guest rooms for visiting family, interns, or invited guests.

The yet to be outfitted with equipment workout room.

So guests, visiting family, interns, etc. can do laundry without altering the regular routine.

This leads past the utility room and heated storage rooms to the office

Office and records area for the caregivers, care plans, etc.

And, More Progress…

We have lawn!

And, the working space is almost done:

We should be able to start moving in there next week:

Looking forward to the Open House on the 16th of September!

Open House and Concert for Ridgeview Place in Chelan

Open House and Concert
Ridgeview Place: Home for Special Needs Adults

When: Sept 16, 2017 2:00 to 4:00 p.m
Where: 1101 Jessie St, Chelan, WA 98816

Join us for this introduction to the community, learn about the plans and meet the folks involved so far at Ridgeview.

Ridgeview Place is a just completed private residence that was built by Al and Denise Lorenz to be shared by their son, Turner, and three other resident owners with developmental disabilities in Chelan. However, the structure itself is just the beginning of the story; the meaning and purpose come from the people, the relationships, and the involvement of the community.

While we’re celebrating completion of the buildings, work continues on building a joyful environment that is nurturing, fun, and productive for its residents. As we go forward, we are building the systems to make each day go smoothly, hiring staff, and creating exceptional employment for the residents. Imagine individuals with developmental disabilities actually achieving financial security and having a “family” of close friends. I think of it as life without limits.

Similar homes exist in Washington. Examples include The Dwelling Place, Cornerstone and Tierra, all in Leavenworth, that have spread the “fantastically joyful” attitudes of their residents into the community through volunteering and work. Their joy is contagious and an asset for everybody.

We are currently seeking some new best friends who also want to create the happiest home on earth for their special family members. There are opportunities for caregivers and volunteers as well.

We will have some experts to chat with who have succeeded building homes in other communities. Ridgeview and the accompanying vocational program will be on display. There will also be a house concert of local musicians during the open house.

https://ridgeviewchelan.com/

Jessie Street is new and will not show up on your mapping programs. Riverview Cemetery or the Apple Cup Café will show up on Google maps though!

For more information call or email:

Al Lorenz 509-630-6769 alorenz99@gmail.com

On to the next phase…

With construction mostly complete (there is still completion of the shop/office space, paving and landscaping to be done), the next phase of this project begins. To borrow from DisneyLand, that is simply to make this one of the Happiest Places in the World to live for the residents, caregivers involved and families who participate.

Fortunately, we have some great models on how that can be accomplished with the people we know from other projects. It is a process though, and one that matures and blooms as we get other families involved!

Building a fun living environment is quite a bit more involved than the construction has been and is a process that really never ends. But, it is lots of fun! Getting the community involved and our loved ones involved in the community is part of it. We have a great start on the vocational part too that helps our folks be actual contributing members of the economy to earn their way. Planning vacations, day trips, etc. and more!

If you have interest in this project, it is time to express it. Thanks!

Ridgeview receives its Occupancy Permit

Ridgeview is ready for occupancy, or it will be when outfitted with furniture and supplies. That is starting to happen now and the first folks will be living there in the next couple of weeks!

Here are some cell phone pics. I will add some better photos when there is furniture.

These photos certainly don’t do the place justice. If you want to have a look, I would love to show it to you.

Wow, great photos as yesterday of Ridgeview at Lake Chelan

Thanks Jerry Isenhart for the great photos and videos of Ridgeview at Lake Chelan!

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPmpRRBY-vpQ6a-Jv35nHMQTQ6RsPhowI2SKhqsXXHn47bA4kO4TI2oWe_awM42Og?key=OUJiVGNRME1ZeXNDU0JNNTZ5aFV2c1Q5TjFRRVBB

Here’s a video: https://goo.gl/photos/Hjxew9wf7rv8Y2ym8

These show the shop going up on the outside, final grading happening, etc. On the inside, finish electrical and plumbing are happening and final cleanup is in 2 weeks with furniture going in after that.