From “The Gang of Nine” to More than 80 Homes
History of Promise Community Homes
In the late 1960s, a group of parents came together, asking “what’s next?” for their aging children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rainbow Village, now known as Promise Community Homes, is the answer they created.
These founders (dubbed the “Gang of Nine”) were operating in a time and in a society that provided little to no integrated residential living options or educational/recreational opportunities for adults with IDD. So, they BUILT the solution. We are proud to tell their story.
By 1978, they constructed seven group homes, the Community Center for education and recreation, and a respite care center on nine acres in St. Louis County.
Today, their family members are senior adults, living and thriving in their unique vision manifest. The success of that initial program led to more than 80 homes throughout St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, and Jefferson County.
It may seem daunting as we face challenges to meet the growing and complex housing needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, but we remain inspired by the founders. We invite you to help us keep innovating to assure that more people and future generations have welcoming, safe, and affordable homes for as long as they so choose.
