Quaker House Residential Community (QHRC)

Mission: Experiment in Quaker community under the care of Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, committed to diversity and inclusivity

From www.ic.org/directory/quaker-house-residential-community-qhrc/:

QHRC is a small intentional living community. We share and care for a beautiful six-bedroom, turn-of-the-twentieth-century house in Ann Arbor, close to the University of Michigan's central campus.

We strive to embody our strong commitments to: multi-cultural/ intergenerational/ racial/ ethnic/ LGBT inclusivity; delicious, healthy meals; simple, economical, and environmentally friendly living; mature, stable, supportive relationships; and open, forthright, and honest communication.

Quaker membership is not required though we respect and uphold the spiritual leadings of the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting (peace, nonviolence, social justice, and respect for all).

Regular evening meals are a central activity of the QHRC. Each housemate cooks for the others a few times a month, and participates in weekly and monthly chores as well as regular house meetings; this participation totals approximately ten hours per week. A monthly financial contribution is required. There is a formal application process.

The first floor of Quaker House is frequently used for community events. The second and third floors are exclusively used by residents. The house is smoke free. Pets are not allowed. At least a one-year commitment preferred.

Quaker House has had a varied history. From 1955, when Friends purchased it, until 1962, it served as the meetinghouse. For many years it housed an international student cooperative. In 1983, the Meeting discerned that “The purpose of Quaker House is to enrich the life of the Meeting and to carry forward the testimonies, values, and concerns of Friends through outreach to the wider community.” Between 1984 and 1991 Quaker House was home for a refugee family from El Salvador and for a small community of Quakers from the Meeting. Since 1991, Quaker House has been home to the Quaker House Residential Community (QHRC), a cooperative living community under the care of the Meeting.

This community was originally envisioned by the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting as "a small group of people living in Quaker House and exploring what Quaker community means. We feel that Quaker principles such as seeking the Light, speaking to that of God in every person, living simply, and making decisions by consensus are wonderful underpinnings for creating such a community. The group’s exploration may lead it into spiritual sharing and deepening; new ways of working, struggling, and celebrating with each other; and/or providing each other with support and challenge to reach out to the larger community."

A service of the Data Commons Co-op. The project has been supported by Equal Exchange, the Cooperative Charitable Trust, the USDA, and many others - thank you! Tech volunteers over the years include: Benjamin Bradley with support from GAIA Host. Ben Mauer with support from Quilted. Paul Fitzpatrick. Ronin Tech Collective, Brattleboro Tech Collective, Sligo Computer Services. Jason Lemieux. Default map tiles courtesy of MapQuest. Default map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA.