Faith at the Center
One of the moments that moved us most was being introduced to God’s chair—a simple, powerful symbol: a reserved seat for God when He comes. We first noticed it in the chapel, and then learned there are several throughout the beautiful campus. That quiet symbol of welcome, reverence, and faith touched us deeply. It was impossible to miss the spirit that permeates Brookwood: God is acknowledged, present, and central to daily life.
A Campus Filled With Purpose
Brookwood, like many communities we’ve visited, blends home, work, and meaningful structure in a way that feels both natural and intentional. The on-site businesses where Citizens work were impressive—bustling spaces full of creativity, productivity, and genuine pride. Citizens weren’t simply staying busy; they were contributing, learning, and thriving.
The model was clear: purposeful work, real responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment are essential parts of life here.
A House That Felt Like a Family
We toured one of the residential homes where 12 Citizens live together, and we had the opportunity to meet one of the House Managers—a warm, grounded individual whose story seemed to echo the heart of Brookwood itself.
He shared pieces of his background, including growing up in a missionary family and living all over the world before finding his place at Brookwood more than a decade ago. Hearing him describe life in the home—the relationships, the rhythms, the deep bonds—made it easy to see why so many Citizens flourish here.
What struck us most was how naturally the home environment flowed into the broader campus experience. It didn’t feel institutional. It didn’t feel temporary. It didn’t feel like “staff” and “residents.”
It felt like family—safe, warm, and genuinely connected.
Learning, Sharing, and Building Beyond Their Campus
We were especially intrigued by Brookwood’s Center for Learning—a program dedicated to sharing the knowledge, systems, and wisdom they’ve gathered over decades with others who feel called to create similar communities around the country.
For families like ours, who believe deeply in building something sustainable and lasting, the Center for Learning represents a valuable and generous resource: real-world experience, proven practices, and a willingness to teach others how to create environments where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live, work, and belong.
Leaving Inspired—and Grateful
Like so many communities we've visited, Brookwood was fantastic—emotionally moving, operationally impressive, and deeply inspiring. But more than anything, it felt like family: the kind of family built through shared love, shared faith, and shared purpose.
We felt embraced from the moment we arrived, and the warmth we experienced echoed what we saw throughout the campus: people serving with heart, humility, and conviction.
We left inspired and deeply touched—grateful for places like Brookwood, for the people who pour their lives into them, and committed to creating a future where our daughter can flourish within a safe, warm, and genuinely connected family.