Welcome!

We are drawing inspiration from and combining several existing models to include assisted living for seniors, cohousing, intentional communities and eco villages. This new combined model is a called "Peace of Mind Community."

• Assisted living for seniors has been a very successful model that is in increased demand. As with the aging population, there is a shortage of housing for younger adults with support needs. Assisted allows seniors to be social and maintain some independence, all while having on-site personal care and other services. 

• Cohousing is an intentional, collaborative neighborhood that combines private homes with shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support an active and interdependent community life. Cohousing is not a financial or legal model, but rather a descriptive term that emphasizes the active participation of residents in everything from design to governance. [source: cohousing.org]

• "Intentional" is a label given to a community that forms around a specific commonality. In our case, our common thread is special needs families. 

• Eco villages are usually found in rural areas and provide a healthy outdoor lifestyle, organic food and sustainable energy model. This model allows for residents to connect with each other through various tasks on the farm and engaging with the community at large through the sale of food and products made on the farm. Increased energy independence is a big plus for those dependent on electricity for medical purposes. 

Peace of Mind Community, LLC is a business entity created to help make this new community model successful! Sarah's Acres will be the first community and will be located in Central Virginia. We hope that we are so successful that additional Peace of Mind communities will start to take shape. Learn more 

We are looking for land in rural Central Virginia within an hour's drive of either Charlottesville or Richmond for access to medical care at UVA and VCU.

Sarah's Acres will comprise of three main components: residential housing, programs and a retreat. 

The residential housing area will consist of 10-12 homes to start. The homes will be close together and will share a common house for meetings, activities and sharing meals as desired. 

Our programs will provide activities related to the farm adapted for those with special needs. Programs will be open to local residents, visitors and our residential housing community members. 

Sarah's Acres Retreat will have several types of accommodations for families to come together and enjoy our programming as well as respite for parents. We plan to have accessible cabins and treehouses in addition to a camping and RV area. 

We are looking for 40+ acres to house these dreams. We will have a barn for a small animal sanctuary. We will grow fruits and vegetables as well as raise chickens. We would also like to have flower and strawberry gardens planted in raised beds so that everyone can come for a fun U-Pick experience regardless of ability. 

Sarah's Acres will be open to people of all ages who have special needs and their families. While we do not have details to share yet, we plan to have a membership process for programs and coming for a retreat. We hope to work with corporate sponsors and donors to help offset cost for those needing financial assistance. Families interested in coming to live at Sarah's Acres with their special needs family member will be encouraged to join as an "Explorer." More details will be available soon. Complete our survey so that we can better understand your needs.

Here are our goals for building Sarah's Acres!

2022-2023: Create framework plan. Engage partners and find an architect experienced in cohousing communities. [complete]

2024-2025: Establish legal and financial model. Meet with local zoning officials. Recruit 10 founding families. Attain capital for land purchase. [in progress]

2025-2026: Purchase land and begin permitting and licensing process

2026-2027: Build and Complete Residential Housing and move in

2027-2028: Complete Program and Retreat facilities to open to members

Sarah's Acres was initially inspired by Sarah and her family. Sarah, now 23, was born with Pitt Hopkins syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that left her unable to walk independently, speak, or use her hands. Sarah is also legally blind. Her parents, brother and sister have all been a part of initial day dreaming. Ingrid, Sarah's mom, is an experienced nonprofit Executive Director as the founder and President for Girl Power 2 Cure, Inc. for 11 years. Peter, Sarah's dad, is an internal medicine physician with experience in low income and hospice clinics. Pierce, Sarah's brother, is a graduate student at UVA's School of Architecture with a focus on conservation and environmental planning. He is also a Master Naturalist. Both he and Peter have a Permaculture Certificate from the University of Richmond. Gretchen, Sarah's sister, is a Senior at the University of Richmond, majoring in Cognitive Science. 

While at GP2C, Ingrid worked with another special needs mom, Kelly Butler. Kelly served as the Family Support Coordinator at Girl Power 2 Cure for nine years.  Kelly and Jon have two children with extra needs. Brooklyn, who is 19 years old, was born with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that leaves Brooklyn unable to speak, walk, or effectively use her hands. She is GTube fed and battles epilepsy. Their son Boston is 15, a two-pound preemie, later was diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism. 

Kelly and her family plan to join Sarah's family as the first host families on the farm. We look forward to adding families to our community as well as playing host to visiting families!

In addition to recruiting founding families, we are currently looking for the following: 

• Board Members
• Advisors
• Interns
• Someone with artistic skills to sketch a draft site plan
• Long-term relationship with legal and tax advisors 

Want to get involved? Please fill out our interest survey here.