Organization helps adults with disabilities to live more independently

Steven Kennedy and his close friend Josh Robertson are getting ready to move into their new home thanks to an organization supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Camphill Foundation has given the two men an opportunity to live more independently.

"I'm excited about moving into my new place," Kennedy said.

William Kennedy is also looking forward to the move for his son. "It not only makes me a very proud father, but it gives him the opportunity and me the freedom to live the lives that we want."

Work on the new home on Park Street in Barrie is underway on the land donated by former Camphill board member Terry Kirk, who has since passed away.

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This is Camphill's fifth home in the city.

"An important part of our strategic plan is reducing the number of people living in the homes that we support. We know that group homes can be chaotic, [and] there are too many people who get lost in the shuffle and noise," said Carson Lutz, Camphill Communities. "We are moving towards a model where we are going to have a maximum of two or three people in the homes that we run."

"We've learned that smaller homes lead to more success for the residents," added Kathy Downes from Camphill Foundation of Canada.

Local businesses have also pitched in, donating time, money, and supplies to help make the new home a reality.

The foundation relies heavily on community donations to fund these projects.

"We couldn't do this without the generous support of our donors," said Downes.

Camphill plans to build four more houses in Barrie in the coming years, with hopes that construction on this home will be complete early next year.