The formation of the Association is a response to a crucial question that troubled the founding parents: What will happen to our dependent children when they finish school? What when we can no longer be their caregivers? This concern motivated us to take action, both within a group of friend families and on a national scale.
Aiming to provide better support for autistic individuals with disabilities, non-governmental organizations within the AUTISM-POLAND Agreement, including our Association, have been introducing innovative solutions concerning the care of autistic individuals after they finish their education at the age of 24. According to the OSA report, the greatest challenges currently relate to providing adequate housing and living conditions for this group.
In response to these needs, the concept of small, specialized permanent residence homes located in the local community was created. These homes are designed to meet the specific needs of dependent individuals who are on the autism spectrum.
Through these initiatives, the idea of the Residential Community was born. This name reflects not only a subjective approach to the residents but also the spirit of communal building and creating a home. Being part of the Residential Community means integration with the group and active participation in the life of the community, where everyone has the opportunity to express their identity and participate in social life.
The Residential Community is not just a place to live; it is primarily a network of relationships that connects residents with the family environment and the local community. It is in such an environment that one can develop, learning to fulfill social roles and establish valuable emotional relationships. Through relationships and cooperation with the family and immediate surroundings, the Residential Community becomes a place where every person is fully accepted and integrated with the community.
The Residential Community is a new vision of support and integration that changes life for the better for the entire community.
We plan to build a Residential Community for 12 people in the Grodzisk Mazowiecki municipality over the next few years.