Eashira Village

Mission: We are an intentional community built around multi-generational households committed to sustainable living and shared resources.

From www.ic.org/directory/eashira-village/:

There was a time when multiple generations of families lived together in the same household or the same community for both ease and economy. Over the past few generations this concept has been lost in American culture, and many feel we are worse off for it. Each generation is pushed out of the home they were raised in, to build their life from scratch, shouldering tremendous financial burdens just to replace the family home they left. Children are disconnected from their grandparents and other relations. Parents are often left to carry the load of caring for and raising their family, on their own.
We understand the need for privacy and independence as generations mature, and our village can provide this without being so disconnected from other generations. Our homes and land are designed and arranged for both private spaces and shared spaces within a household. We even extend the multigenerational concept so that a household contains multiple generations of multiple families. This further enriches the lives of everyone in the community and it allows us to share resources, skills, and experiences.
Our buildings are designed with “aging in place” features to accommodate families in all stages of life. This includes features such as wide doors, ground floor accommodations for mobility impaired family members, grab rails, easy to operate handles, minimal obstructions, and non-slip surfaces. Households have a variety of spaces for everyone from single adults, couples, or larger families, to accommodate everyone as their needs change.
Having multiple generations of multiple families living in the same community, or even the same household has many advantages:
• Family members experience the high level of emotional bonding and closeness across generations.
• Older generations provide important role models in the socialization of children. Younger generations learn how to care for their elders.
• Spending time with children can bring purpose and meaning to the lives of older generations. For example, the physical demands of keeping up with kids and helping with homework make them feel younger, more useful, and active.
• Grandparents help grandchildren survive changes in their parent’s domestic structure by giving grandchildren undivided attention and helping when single parents are overwhelmed.
• Multigenerational families have financial benefits for everyone involved. If grandparents are in good health and willing, they can help care for young children. Adult children living in the multifamily household can save money while going to school, finding a job or saving money to buy their own shares in the village company.
• Family members provide constant companionship, as well as help reduce financial strain and stress.
• Village members look after, help and support each other.
• Bringing village members together can be a joyful time to treasure and share.
• While you have the ability for solitary time to yourself, you are never so isolated as to feel lonely or on your own.

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.