NakedCity Wichita

intentional living

Posted on 14. Apr, 2011 by Carrie in muse

words > JASON DILTS
photos > LINDA P.

In the American psyche, “commune” is a word with distinct psychedelic connotations. The concept of groups of people banding together to share housing, interests, property, resources, and work was popularized during the hippie movement of the 1960’s. Several “back to the land” ventures popped up all over the country, as the disillusioned sought to create a simpler, purer existence amidst the backdrop of a torrent, war-torn world. One might assume that this experiment faded as flower power wilted, but like many concepts from that period in time, a contemporary resurgence is budding.

In an age of global connectivity, where social media sites and smart phones can literally sync us with any person or place on the planet, there’s an ironic sense of isolation felt by many. Intimacy is often experienced via Skyping, while conversations take place over SMS texts. Many still find fulfillment in traditional family and community models, but many more are finding that old ways just don’t work for them. At the intersection of alienation and nonconformity, a premeditated exposition comes to fruition.

Enter the intentional community—the 21^st century incarnation of the commune.  As a single man with no desire to form a conventional family, friendship has been my kinship. When most of my closest friends started to pair off, though, I was left with the wonderment of what comes next. A quick Google search revealed that people seeking out deliberate ties are all over the country and world. The website www.ic.org is a resource for anyone interested in shared living. Intentional communities come in all forms, too. Some are eco villages and old fashioned communes. Others are student co-ops and urban housing cooperatives. Whatever your needs for shelter and desire for connectivity are, there seem to be places where you can find your tribe. From this site, I was able to locate ICs all over the country-and even some in Kansas! While I couldn’t find one formed in the ICT (though a few are aiming to start!), I did find an interesting place in Lawrence.

Delaware Street Commons is a co-housing community that was founded in 2007. Things people once took for granted like family, community, and sense of belonging are much more likely to need sought out today. To that end, it exists to be a traditional village within the conditions of modern life. It’s a self-organized group of 23 households that have come together to share a sense of connectedness.  Some own their homes, while others rent out 2 and 3 bedroom units. For all the lore surrounding communal living, this co-housing community was remarkably placid.

Everyone has their own private quarters, and each person decides for themselves in what ways and how much they want to be connected to the group at-large. There’s a common house where activities and meals are often shared. A community garden decorates the landscape at the entrance. Residents are currently banding together to dig and create their own pond. People of all ages and relationship statuses make up the commons. There are retirees in their eighties, students in their twenties, single people, and couples and single moms raising kids.

Rich Minder, one of the founding members, said it was the birth of his children that made him want to be part of an intentional community. He wanted a safe place where he knew his neighbors and where there was a natural sense of belonging. People from all over the country have come to join the commons, and Minder says it’s the relationships that most find invaluable. Especially for out of state residents, it’s a lot easier to find that natural community connection. Residents are encouraged to participate in community activities, but there are no compulsory requirements. Minder says that model works best because everyone brings their own talents and puts in what they want.

I wondered if such an arrangement was easier to bring to fruition in a progressive enclave like Lawrence, but Minder pointed out that in many ways it’s harder. Lawrence is already connected in ways Wichita isn’t. They have a large university with a replenishing student population and a walkable/bikeable downtown full of coffee shops and outdoor eating spots. Wichita, it seems, would be even riper for a community of intentional connection because we’re exactly the type of place where meeting like-minded people and finding meaningful connections can be very difficult. There’s nothing like this in the ICT yet, but you can log on to IC.org and learn how to change that!

There’s more than one way to have a family. There are many ways to build a community. Colorful connotations aside, intentional living offers people choices in an often black and white world of social conformity.

Learn more about the Delaware Street Commons and how to join at www.delaware-street.com

Tags: communal living, delaware street commons, jason dilts, shared housing