Inclusive Communities Network

​lInclusive Communities Network is an initiative to connect families for the purpose of sharing inclusion ideas and resources and building community. It began with a collaborative process between First Presbyterian Church Birmingham and Angels' Place  to create community-based alternative housing solutions for individuals with disabilities living in the tri-county area AND to help those individuals form broader networks leading to fuller lives. Through a generous Faith in Action grant we are able to provide partial funding for the New Futures Initiative training through the Center for Independent Futures.

Historical Timeline:

• In late October of 2018 we gathered to learn about community-based alternative housing options from the Center for Independent Living and others in our area. https://independentfutures.com/housing-options/
• In November 2018 those interested in pursuing the conversation met to introduce themselves and learn about one another’s unique families.
• In February 2019 we gathered for a whole community potluck to further connect and begin to network with one another.
• On April 30, 2019 we hosted a whole community screening of the movie “Intelligent Lives”  and a community conversation to help create awareness and encourage advocacy for full inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The mother of Micah, one of the young individuals in the movie,  joined us to answer questions following the movie. You can learn more about the movie at https://intelligentlives.org/
• Based on the surveys completed by those in attendance in February, we have identified families who seem interested in moving forward with training, and we met on May 9, 2019.

Everybody’s Church (FPCB) and Angels' Place continue to  work together to facilitate community connectors and bridge building events to help individuals create broader networks and fuller lives.  You can stay connected with us at this site or email us at cindymerten@everybodyschurch.org ​