Re: Communities for Adults with Autism:Camphill CA

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/lshumaker/detail??blogid=171 & entry_id=67660

Info about Camphill in New York State

http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2010/06/19/news/doc4c1c2249cf974296393413.txt

First Lady visits Camphill

Villager Rochelle Sternthal, who works in the Weavery, shows NY First Lady Paige Paterson how to operate the loom during her visit to Camphill Village in Copake on Friday morning. (Contributed photo)

Published: Saturday, June 19, 2010 2:12 AM EDTFirst Lady of New York, Paige Paterson, visited Camphill Village USA Friday, touring its grounds, gardens, workshops and houses that serve adults with developmental disabilities and long- and short-term volunteers.Camphill Village USA is an environmentally respectful community for these adults and volunteers — many from AmeriCorps — who live together in extended-family style homes and work together in craft workshops and in caring for the land.“Camphill Village is a hidden gem for adults with developmental disabilities and for those who believe in total inclusion,†Paterson said. “Touring its workshops, you meet people who take pride in their meaningful work. Visiting the houses, you see the quality of care and the full life encouraged by the all-volunteer caregivers. The gardens and grounds reflect a reverence for the Earth and our environment. The village is a model for alternative care in this field, and I am proud to call New York its home.â€The First Lady was greeted by Camphill Village USA Executive Director Neal and other staff and community members at the Village Green. She then toured the new Village Library, Greenhouse, Turtle Tree Biodynamic Seed Initiative, Healing Plant Garden, Weavery —- where community member Elisabeth read a welcoming statement from the Village, Kaspar House — one of three “care†houses (offering greater medical care and assistance) out of the 25 houses in the community, and the Camphill Village Gift Shop — to see products of the many workshops not represented on the tour.

Camphill Village USA and Camphill Hudson — Camphill Village USA’s urban initiative — both participated in the First Lady’s United We Serve program at the Executive Mansion last summer, demonstrating its workshops, land initiatives and the importance of volunteerism. In preparing for that event, Camphill Village USA learned that its Bakery’s Chocolate Coconut Cookies and its Healing Plant Garden’s Lemon Balm Tea were regularly served at the Mansion. Since the event, the Camphill community has extended invitations to the First Lady and the Governor to attend Camphill events and visit Camphill Village USA.Camphill Village USA is one of two Camphill communities in New York. It has initiated an urban community — Camphill Hudson, plans an elder care community by 2012 — Camphill Ghent, and is the oldest and largest of 10 Camphill communities in the United States. Camphill Village USA also introduced biodynamic seed farming to the United States and is the largest manufacturer and distributor of biodynamic seeds in the nation today. After nearly 50 years in existence, Camphill Village USA serves as a model for the treatment of those with developmental disabilities, and is often cited for its expertise in this field.