INTRODUCTION TO THE “THEN AND NOW” SERIES
Visitors touring CoHo sometimes ask how our expectations for community prior to move-in differ from our current day-to-day reality.
Comparing “then and now” is the framework for this series of blog postings. The source of historical perspective is the CoHo newsletters published in 2006 and 2007 (they are still available on our website). This was an intensive time, with the primary focus on actively building the community (both in terms of actual construction of buildings and the collection of folks who would be our neighbors).
What were our dreams in 2006? What is our daily life like now in 2014?
First, read the original newsletter (link below), then return to this posting for current perspectives.
THEN…
AND NOW…
The three original Homelife residents still live at CoHo. Their caregivers and caregiver schedules have changed a great deal over the years.
Jennie, the kissing canine in the last photo, is also still on board (she even has a new bike trailer).
Some of the CoHoots in this newsletter are current neighbors, some did not move into CoHo, some moved in and then moved out. Turnover in a community is felt by everyone.
At this time of this newsletter in 2006, there were 7 units left to sell. During project development, many people came and went as we worked toward being sold out. Welcoming and orienting people who didn’t end up staying proved to be an energy drain at times. A similar dynamic has sometimes surfaced with renters because they tend to stay for shorter times than owners. As part of their membership process, all CoHoots get a buddy to help them connect with the community. The buddy relationship has proved to be very valuable.
After move-in, our Membership Team developed an exit process for owners and renters that includes an interview as well as a basic checklist of logistics to complete. Reasons for moving vary and so do farewells.
To date, we’ve not had any deaths at CoHo (or any weddings!), although CoHoots’ family members in other states have died. CoHoots are able to provide support (either informally or via Supportive Salmon, a team that coordinates support for neighbors).
It will be interesting to see how CoHo continues to respond to departures of people, events, and experiences.
A final P.S.
A contingent of CoHoots marched and played music in the Corvallis 4th of July parade for a couple of years but not recently. Some traditions have come and gone as our tenure on-site has increased.