The Power of Inclusive Housing to Create Community and Improve Health & Wellness Outcomes – The Main Street Model

Creating dynamic opportunities through affordable, inclusive housing and community engagement is vital so people of all abilities can live their best lives. In this episode, Jillian Copeland, the founder and Interim Executive Director of Main Street, discusses the residential onboarding class they offer, and how their programs are helping individuals access quality, affordable housing. Their goal is to transform the lives of those who are living with disabilities by providing opportunities for them to be independent and connect with others. Let's build a membership-based community and a movement of inclusion!

Jillian’s latest and greatest endeavor, Main Street, is a joint initiative with her husband Scott. Main Street is a model and a mindset, the first-of-its-kind inclusive and affordable apartment building and community center serving people of all abilities. Main Street opened its doors to residents in the summer of 2020 and currently provides membership opportunities to over 200 resident and non-resident members.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 07:52] Opening Segment

• What moving inclusion forward means

• What Main Street does and its mission

• Jillian's outlook on the waiting list of people who want to get into Main Street

[07:53 - 15:46] The Power of Inclusive Housing to Create Community 

• Empower people with self-efficacy and confidence

• The Main Street approach BYOI (Bring Your Own Independence)

• How Main Street is attracting members and providing services that support independence

• Jillian shares a resident's experience who has seen a significant decrease in the number of hours he needs paid supports

[15:47 - 23:17] Improve Health & Wellness Outcomes

• Main Street provides consulting services to help others build their own versions of Main Street

• How many people were kept on the waiting list after it was closed

• How Main Street is helping to address the need for affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing

[23:18 - 30:17] Closing Segment

• Main Street connects to create a fulfilling life for people with disabilities

• Be involved and be a part of the solution

Want to connect with Jillian? Head to Main Street, and create dynamic opportunities through affordable, inclusive housing and community engagement so people of all abilities can live their best lives!

Resources Mentioned:

How The Kelsey is Making a Difference in Accessible Housing through its Inclusive Development and Advocacy Model

Key Quotes:

not just living independently for people with disabilities, it's finding a community of belonging." - Jillian Copeland

"We're not transforming a life, we are providing opportunity, which allows possibility in a dignified, respectable way that it doesn't make people feel that they need that they are a charity, that they are less than others.".Jillian Copeland

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