Community Pods

Community Pods are the Building Blocks of Independent Living

Community Pods are groups of self-advocates, along with their families and personal support networks, that live in close proximity to each other. The pods provide the infrastructure of assistance to those who have moved out, or are close to leaving the family home.

These pods provide a forum for the self-advocates and their families to get to know each other through family meetings and social events coordinated by the pod leader and their designated community builder.

The community builder works both with individuals and groups of self-advocates through skill-building activities and social events. See “How ILO Works” page to learn more about the role of Community Builders.

Through the community pods, self-advocates begin build relationships with each other and in the community, take control of their own lives and eventually transition out of their families’ homes.

Building relationships takes time, patience and trust; ILO is committed to this process and to facilitating the development of supportive communities.

ILO COMMUNITY PODS

ILO is growing communities in Germantown, Rockville and Bethesda, MD, as well as Washington, D.C.

Germantown MD

ILO’s Germantown community started with one ILO self-advocate living in her own condo, taking advantage of the amenities provided by a transit center, bus routes, a library, restaurants, grocery stores, movies, etc. There are now three ILO self-advocates in the Germantown community.

Bethesda, MD

Bethesda, MD has seven ILO self-advocates living in the same apartment building off of Battery Lane. The ILO community builder and participating family members help to ensure that all self-advocates are connected to each other, and are integrated into Bethesda’s vibrant, urban neighborhoods. The location of this community allows self-advocates to take advantage of busy retail, restaurant and shopping areas, as well as enjoy easy access to Washington, D.C.

Rockville, MD

ILO’s Rockville pod is ILO’s largest pod and is continuing to grow. The idea in Rockville is to populate one to two apartment buildings to continue building communities and working on the peer-to-peer relationships. This location is rich with many amenities and easy access to the Metro.

Washington, D.C.

Our DC Pod is concentrated in the Northwest near American University.  ILO was able to work with a local developer and many of our participants live in the same building at a reduced rate of rent. There are many living opportunities near the Tenleytown Metro stop.  Which allows easy access to our community.

Virginia

Creating pods in Virginia has been a challenge. ILO Virginia is on hold.

If you are interested in learning more about community pods please contact us.