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Homes Giving Hope (HGH), located in Rockford, Michigan, became the beginning of something much bigger. HGH is creating a place where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can experience independence, friendship, and community—together. What started with faith and a willingness to act is now growing into a network of homes where residents support one another and build lives of dignity and belonging. Sara Boven shares the story behind the mission, the challenges along the way, and the community that continues to grow.
Links
Homes Giving Hope Website: https://homesgivinghope.org
How Homes Giving Hope Is Building Community and Independence in Rockford, Michigan
For many people, independence begins with a familiar milestone: leaving home, finding a place of your own, and learning how to manage everyday life. Cooking meals, doing laundry, paying bills, and making decisions about the future are all part of that journey. But for many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, that path toward independence is not always clearly defined.
That challenge is exactly what led to the creation of Homes Giving Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Rockford, Michigan. What started with a single house and a simple idea has grown into a supportive community where adults with disabilities can experience independence while still receiving the support they need.
Today, Homes Giving Hope is helping residents live fuller lives by creating a safe environment where independence, dignity, and community thrive.
The Need for Independent Living Opportunities
Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities face limited housing options after finishing school or job training programs. In many cases, they remain living at home with their parents well into adulthood. While that situation can be comfortable, it can also be isolating.
Another option is moving out entirely on their own, which can create new challenges and vulnerabilities without the right support systems in place.
The founders of Homes Giving Hope recognized that something was missing: a middle ground where adults could live independently but still benefit from a supportive community.
Their solution was simple but powerful—create shared homes where residents could live together, build friendships, and learn life skills while receiving light support.
A Vision That Began With One House
Like many meaningful initiatives, Homes Giving Hope started with a small step.
Sara Boven and others involved with the organization saw firsthand the need for better housing options for adults with developmental disabilities. What began as a conversation about helping people find meaningful employment quickly expanded into something larger. Housing, they realized, was one of the most underserved areas for this community.
The opportunity to purchase a house eventually appeared, and what followed was a leap of faith. The vision was to create a place where residents could live together, develop independence, and form lasting relationships.
That first house became the foundation for what would grow into a larger mission.
Building a Community, Not Just Housing
The goal of Homes Giving Hope was never simply to provide housing. Instead, the focus was on building community.
Residents live together in homes where they share responsibilities and everyday experiences. They cook meals, maintain their living spaces, and spend time together as friends and neighbors. Through these shared experiences, they develop important life skills while also forming strong relationships.
This sense of community is what makes Homes Giving Hope unique. Rather than living in isolation, residents are surrounded by people who understand them and support one another.
Friendships often form naturally, and many residents discover a sense of belonging that may have been difficult to find elsewhere.
The Impact on Families
The benefits of Homes Giving Hope extend beyond the residents themselves. Families also experience peace of mind knowing their loved ones are living in a supportive and structured environment.
Parents of adults with developmental disabilities often spend years advocating for their children—ensuring they have access to opportunities, friendships, and meaningful experiences. Seeing their sons or daughters thrive in an independent setting can be incredibly rewarding.
Instead of feeling solely responsible for every aspect of their child’s life, parents can transition into a more typical adult relationship with them—meeting for lunch, spending time together, and celebrating their independence.
Growing the Mission
What began with a single house has grown steadily. Homes Giving Hope now includes multiple homes in the Rockford area, each providing residents with the opportunity to live independently within a supportive community.
As the organization continues to grow, the mission remains the same: create places where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can build lives filled with dignity, friendship, and purpose.
Every new home represents another opportunity for someone to take that important step toward independence.
A Community Where Everyone Belongs
The story of Homes Giving Hope is ultimately about more than housing. It is about belonging.
Community is often defined by geography—people living near one another in the same neighborhood or city. But the community created through Homes Giving Hope goes deeper than location. It is built on shared experiences, mutual support, and genuine friendships.
Residents support and encourage each other as they navigate the challenges of everyday life. Together, they create an environment where everyone is valued and where no one faces life alone.
From one house to a growing network of homes, Homes Giving Hope continues to demonstrate how a small beginning can grow into something truly life-changing.
