WASHINGTON COMMONS
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Catch up on our story

Working with the Diversity Doctor

5/4/2021

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"Diversity in cohousing is not a new topic, but it is a conversation that is increasingly at the forefront of forming communities as the discussion has grown nationally in all aspects of contemporary life. This subject is not easy to approach, it requires lots of unlearning, listening, and often times uncomfortable introspection. It is not a topic that we can decipher alone, and takes the coming together of various groups and demographics to begin to understand the root of the problem, and how we can affect change in our own lives and communities." Katie McCamant, Cohousing Solutions
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Here at Washington Commons we have enlisted the help of Dr. Stacie Walton, better known as the Diversity Doctor, to learn how we can better create a welcoming diverse community environment. 

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Learn More about Dr. Stacey Walton

"
As a result of my experiential and interactive workshops, individuals and organizations can use the strategies that support communication with patients that becomes more efficient, equitable, empathetic, and effective.

I help individuals and organizations develop the foundational principles and build resilience to make 'good trouble' and make 'anti-racist' choices in their everyday lives.
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​- Dr. Stacie Walton
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​In our first meeting with Stacie, she emphasized intention and action. She queried us as to what results we really want. This led us to creating an action plan which we are now implementing. ​This plan includes strategically redesigning our website,  initiating a list of organizations in our community that we can work with and share our message with such as the Black Chamber of Commerce, the Urban League and various service organizations.  We are also working to outline economic options for first time homebuyers and others with limited financial resources.  We set up to focus groups to query in a neutral environment people of color who had participated in past site tours to learn whether our processes had could be improved. 
"I personally think the most powerful thing that Stacie did for us was to engage us in a way that mobilized our intention. We have been desiring this but without any sense of efficacy. Stacie gave us the sense that we really could make a difference. That even small things could make a difference. She is also working with us on the topic of healing, resulting in profound realizations. I desire diversity, and my intention is to be welcoming. But, I have, in effect, a counter intention that and that is “Why would any people of color want to be with us? Why after all we as a culture have done to them?” I’m working on healing this and making myself truly open to engaging with people of color who I’m learning are very excited about engaging with us."
- Anne Geraghty, Washington Commons Community Member

We continue to work every day to create a more welcoming and diverse environment. We are listening, learning, and unlearning.  With the guidance of Dr. Stacie Walton we feel like we are beginning to fully embody our mission statement: "Our daring effort to live well with care for each other and the environment, learn from each other, respect our differences, and make great community decisions."

Thanks for reading. 

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Meet Bea and Cathy

5/3/2021

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​We are thrilled to introduce our two newest members who both share a history of cohousing and Sacramento.  Bea, joining us from Flagstaff, was a resident of N Street Cohousing in Davis many years ago.  Cathy, joining us from Sacramento, was involved in the formation of Southside Cohousing in Sacramento and is excited to be joining our community.  
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Meet Bea
Bea grew up in a close-knit community in El Paso, field tested cohousing in Davis, worked at establishing a cohousing community in Flagstaff, and joined Washington Commons in April.

​“The Sacramento area was my home in the 80’s and 90’s. I arrived chasing what had become one of my passions, whitewater rafting.  The South Fork of the American River boasts Class III boating in an invigorating and beautiful canyon and I spent hundreds of days on that water over the next 15 years.  ​
N Street Cohousing in Davis was my home for part of that time and I’m grateful to my friends there who taught me the joy and rewards of community living.

​Washington Commons is now affording me the opportunity to come “home”.  My heart has longed to be back among friends, water, fabulous bird watching locations and gorgeously blooming gardens in Sacramento.  Living almost beside the Sacramento River, but steps from the Capitol, restaurants, arenas and with my new family at Washington Commons is my heart’s desire.  Sharing much of daily life while having my own private home will be icing on my cake.”
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Meet Cathy
​​Cathy was involved with Southside Park Cohousing during its formation, explored Washington Commons last year, attended our March SABA Bike event, and became our most recent member in April. 
 
"My introduction to cohousing was in the early 90s.  I loved the concept of living in a people and environmentally friendly community and hoped someday I would have the opportunity to join one.  I have enjoyed living in an urban, walkable community in Midtown Sacramento for almost 30 years.  ​Washington Commons offers a similar environment on the other side of the river with the added benefit of having neighbors close by for mutual support and fun. ​
I am a retired clinical social worker writing a book about my work with veterans at the VA, which was terrific, and VA mental health policy, which needs improvement. When I’m not writing I enjoy gardening, music, and the Sierra Nevada to ski, hike, and camp.  I’m looking forward to the possibility of visiting some wineries with other members, having buddies to cycle our American River Bike Trail and sail at Lake Washington Sailing Club, just ten minutes from Washington Commons.  It’s hard to beat an evening sail when the Delta breeze kicks in after a hot summer day in Sacramento."
 
WELCOME Bea and Cathy, it is a joy to be creating community together!
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Connection-Centric Design: The key to creating community

5/2/2021

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Erik Granum of UD+P, our development partner, shared insights into the ways that design elements foster and reinforce the social connection an essential characteristic of cohousing communities. 
 
A large group gathered over ZOOM to hear Erik talk about the subject. ​Erik introduced cohousing as ‘Intentionally designed living within a community comprised of private dwellings around shared spaces’. 
According to Erik's research, the hallmark of projects that succeed in creating cohesive community is ‘connection-centric design’. Erik identifies 2 types of connection-centric design: Overt and Covert. Overt design is represented in the physical features that create intentional engagement with your neighbors such as the common house, dining room, commercial kitchen, and guest and reception spaces. These are spaces which feature planned events such as community meals and meetings. Overt design facilitates intentional bonding.
 
Covert design elements, by contrast, are those design features that result in incidental bonding among community members. They don’t require community planning or intention to be effective. They work continuously, affect everyone, go unnoticed and don’t create undue annoyance.
 
What are these “Covert” design elements?
  • Walkways and courtyards that support circulation - where neighbors pass each other as they go about their daily routines. They have the opportunity to say “Hi” or stop and chat. In Washington Commons our courtyard deck provides many “pathways” for such connections as will our walking from the parking areas to the living spaces. We will be connecting many times a day as we go about our business.

  • Scale and spacing - Erik’s research ascertained that in communities of 40 homes or less, people generally know all their neighbors. In larger communities this wasn’t the case.  Washington Commons with 35 homes will have the sense of scale that Erik says is so important.

  • Sight-lines - the ability to see common spaces from a distance so that residents have a sense of what is happening in the community, what spaces are and are not being used at the specific time. In Washington Commons we will easily be able to check out what is happening in the courtyard just outside our doors.

  • Proof of Life – Seeing the lights of our neighbors’ windows creates a sense of warmth and connection. Erik noted how this creates a sense of belonging as we come home after a busy day; the lights enlivening our community.  The windows in our homes will look across the courtyard to our neighbors.

  • Identity and ownership – the ability to create personal space outside the entrance to one’s home with chairs, plants, artwork provides a sense of belonging and ownership. These personal areas become special places for more intimate one-on-one gatherings. All of our homes provide such spaces outside their doors.

  • Passive communication – another element Erik noted, represented by community bulletin boards, name plaques on homes, and mailboxes.

​Erik left us with the sense of how beautifully our community is designed – both for planned events and unplanned, magical connections.  Thank you Erik! 
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Neighborhood
    • Our Members
    • Professional Partners
    • Blog
    • FAQs
  • Events
  • What is Cohousing?
    • 6 Defining Characteristics
    • HOA Dues
    • Cohousing Pricing
    • In the News
    • Resources
  • Reserve Your Home
  • Contact Us