From “The Gang of Nine” to More than 80 Homes
Message From Our Founders
In the late 1960’s, 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.
From "The Gang of Nine" to More than 80 Homes
In the late 1960’s, 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 NO integrated residential living options, NO educational and recreational opportunities. So they BUILT the solution. The newspapers sometimes called them “charitable housewives”. We also call them entrepreneurial visionaries who concepted, advocated, and fundraised. Breaking down boundaries. Defying convention. We are proud to tell their story…
By 1978, they constructed seven group homes, the Wolff 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 almost 100 homes throughout St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, and Jefferson County.
By 1978, they constructed seven group homes, the Wolff Community Center for education and recreation, and a respite care center on nine acres in St. Louis County.
Today, it may seem daunting as we face challenges to meet the growing and complex housing needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We remain inspired by the founders, and invite you to help us keep innovating to assure that more people and future generations have welcoming, safe and affordable homes when families can no longer provide for them.
To learn more about the history of Promise Community Homes, contact us at 314.567.1522 or e-mail Development@PromiseCommunityHomes.org for more details.