Why Intentional Community?

We believe that we need to live differently, and in cooperation with others. We believe many of our challenges become easier when faced together.

Global: Climate change, over-consumption.
National: Apathy/reduced civic engagement, extreme socio-economic inequality.
St. Louis: Division (90+ municipalities) and segregation.
Neighborhood: Lack of block-level social focal points to foster cohesion, lack of opportunity for engagement with nature.
Family/Individual Level: Disconnection/Isolation (nuclear family), compromised health, reduced sense of well-being, addiction, and overall dis-empowerment & hopelessness in facing large social problems.

Forming an intentional community is one example of a holistic approach to addressing these challenges at the local scale.

Aaron Michels, one of our members, updated this Prezi presentation in 2020 about intentional community and Hidden Alley Ranch’s development.

WBUR – Ben Brock Johnson: The Case for Cohousing: Where Responsibilities Are Shared And Life is a Little Less Lonely

TED – Grace Kim: How cohousing can make us happier (and live longer)

The Tyee – Erin Ward: Experimenting with Sustainability

FIC – Communities Magazine issue #178 Class, Race, and Privilege

NY Times Lifestyle – Mike Mariani: The New Generation of Self-Created Utopias