By Cindi Galabota
Special to The SUN
A Safe Place in Pagosa Inc. (ASPIP) is pleased to announce that it recently received its nonprofit status, meaning its 501(c)(3) application was approved.
ASPIP can now receive donations, apply for grants and continue on its journey of making Aspen House a reality.
ASPIP was formed by a motivated group of parents in the Pagosa area determined to provide a home — Aspen House — for their adult children with developmental disabilities and expanded the idea to equally embrace similar adults.
The mission of ASPIP is just that: to provide a safe, monitored, permanent home for local adults with developmental disabilities. Aspen House will provide opportunities their children so greatly desire in the familiar town in which they grew up and their friends and family reside.
Aspen House is a residential home that will initially be built for six adults with developmental disabilities, along with an around-the-clock caregiver. These adults have been identified as being in need of housing and care, and a desire for independence. The residents will work together to take care of the house, cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc., all in a unified effort. The house will be designed with shared areas, as well as private and quiet spaces.
The 501(c)(3) approval opens many avenues for ASPIP, and the board is more than ready to move forward with the vision of Aspen House.
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