Children feel safe and supported in community-oriented neighborhoods

Finding a new home is more than a real estate transaction. It is a choice that affects the family’s quality of life. Of course, the house itself must meet the requirements of the family, but the surrounding environment has a great impact on health. Homebuyers already know to look for good schools, proximity to employment centers, readily accessible parks, and nearby retail services and entertainment, but neighborhoods often fall by the wayside. Or, it’s hard to know if the kids will feel safe until the box is unpacked.

Members of Mission Peak Village are building safe communities for children. The group adopted a deliberate community model called cohousing to address contemporary concerns. Cohousing was founded in 1988 by architects Kathryn McCamant and Chuck Durette in the seminal book Cohousing: A Modern Approach to Inhabiting Ourselves, based on the popular Danish model. Introduced in North America.

Denmark has a reputation for greater well-being and community ties than most Americans experience in auto-centric housing developments. In cohousing, each household maintains a private residence, but the development layout encourages neighbors to create opportunities for people to interact. Children have ready-to-play playmates and a supportive, caring group of adults they can count on for support.

Jessie McCamant-Durrett grew up in Doyle Street Cohousing in Emeryville and Nevada City Cohousing in the foothills of the Sierra.

“Both were incredible experiences. I had parents, but they weren’t the only ones who raised me. Children always have many adults as their friends. I have been exposed to many, but not all, the paths life takes,” said McCamant-Durrett. “It’s also nice to be with other kids of all ages. There are a lot of younger kids I’ve taught swimming, and they’ve grown up to be really good water polo players.”

McCamant-Durrett described the immense pride he derives from his mentee’s sporting success. Cohousing kept at least one of her only children from feeling lonely in the neighborhood.

“I grew up in the community, too,” says Mission Peak Village member Evelyn LaTorre. “Everyone was attentive to the children and could tell their parents if they thought we were out of line. People trusted each other quite a bit. ‘s popcorn balls and cookies were known to be safe to eat.”

It takes a village to raise a child, says the old adage. Alexander McCall Smith takes this idea one step further with “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”. Feel responsible for everyone in that village. That is what makes life in society possible. ”

Mission Peak Village hosts monthly information sessions and walking tours of the neighborhood and Fremont Sites. For more information, Mission Peak Village website.

Content provided by Mission Peak Village LLC