Twelveacres,
Inc. "A determined, joyful denial of limitation." www.twelveacres.org
For seventy-six years Twelveacres has been providing a loving and nurturing environment for the residence, education and individual growth of the developmentally challenged whose families trust in Christian Science care. Twelveacres today is best described as "a determined,
joyful denial of limitation." Located in four Silicon Valley,
California communities, our mission is to provide homes in which
developmentally disabled adults can experience Christian Science
healing. Our spiritual model of care for these individuals runs
counter to the standard medical and psychological one. Instead
of providing maintenance for the claims related to developmental
disability, we radically rely on Christian Science to heal the
claims. Journal-listed practitioners and our well-trained
staff help clients dismantle claims of mental retardation, birth
defects, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and Down's Syndrome.
Twelveacres, Inc.
was originally called Our Children's Home. From its founding in
1932 until 1969, Twelveacres provided Christian Science-based
day and extended care for children of working families and broken
homes. In 1969 Twelveacres responded to USA-wide requests from
Christian Scientists seeking residential care for their mentally
and physically handicapped children. The facility moved from a
large home on a twelve-acre parcel in Los Altos, California to
a larger aggregate hill campus in nearby northeast San Jose.
Adhering
to the teachings of Christian Science, Twelveacres administered
an on-site program of full care. Recreational and skills training,
religious and practical education, and cultural enrichment programs
were all provided within the facility's grounds. Staff and residents
expected, and experienced, metaphysical healing and progress toward
normalcy.
In the 1980's
communities became more accepting of the developmentally disabled.
Support systems for community inclusion (mainstreaming) of both
children and adults began developing. Twelveacres viewed this
trend as answered prayer. We saw new opportunities to address
the needs and interests of our, by then, adult population. Twelveacres
sold the San Jose hill campus in 1995. Administration moved into
a leased suite of offices in nearby Campbell, California. Clients
moved into rented homes within a six-mile radius of the administrative
center. We became, and remain, unique in this field of Christian
Science care. Unique because Twelveacres is the only community-based
organization in the world engaged in this type of specialized
healing work.
4 houses — adults ages 18-59 — Silicon Valley location
Supposedly incurable,
clients' on-going dynamic, progressive healing debunks that label.
Each client illustrates daily and publicly the healing realities
of Christian Science. Neighbors, community members, day program,
social service, public health and other professionals observe
the healing. Many express increasing confidence and trust in our
spiritual model of care. When a need arises, they contact the
practitioner directly and rejoice with us in the resulting healing.
We place a high value on our unique and highly visible role in
the community. Twelveacres vividly demonstrates to the public
that Spirit-based, drug and medical intervention-free care is
effective. It reaches and treats the needs of the whole person.
We are proving it. Many are pausing to note and inquire about
how this spiritual healing of so-called incurable behaviors and
conditions takes place.
Twelveacres success is based on growth in Christian Science. Every
Twelveacres client employs a local Journal-listed practitioner
daily. Practitioners visit clients privately at least once a month.
These dedicated healers sometimes receive calls from us at all
hours of the day and night. Now that we are so highly visible
to neighbors, conditions and behaviors that disturb must be quickly
handled. And they are. Growth, peace, healing and progress are
constant.
Since moving
from the hill campus into homes, Twelveacres clients participate
fully in community life. Our programs foster ongoing individual
growth into the highest degree of normalcy and independence possible.
On weekends, clients enjoy a wide range of recreational and educational
activities. Libraries, county parks, movie theaters, sports and
entertainment venues, shopping malls and restaurants are some
of the places they frequent. On Sunday mornings they join their
fellow Christian Scientists worshiping God in local churches.
Many attend church on Wednesday nights. Some testify about their
healings. During the week, several hold down customer service
jobs. Those not employed, attend community day programs. Their
lives are active and productive. We know they will grow to be
more so in the future.
The vision
Twelveacres Board, clients, parents and staff share has evolved
through a process of quiet listening, focused collaboration and
active doing. We have taken a close look at the community day
programs clients attend. Most provide clients with custodial care.
None share our expectation for progress, normalcy and healing.
We expect all our clients to eventually be able to work at productive
jobs. To that end, during 2001 we inaugurated an educational training
program. This is the first leg of a five-year plan for client
occupational training. The goal is to prepare each one for employment
suited to their level of ability. We are assessing each client's
present range of abilities. From the assessments we are tailoring
individual programs to expand the math, reading, speech, communication
and computer skills clients need to work in customer service and
industry here in the Valley.
We continue to
listen prayerfully for the next steps in this five-year plan.
We know the what -- that is, what we expect to achieve. Now we
are listening for the how. We see options that appear viable.
Some involve partnering with Silicon Valley businesses to design
and complete the required job training, placement and job-retention
for our clients. Another option requires considerable in-house
program design and implementation. We care for clients whose capabilities
range from very limited to very capable. Twelveacres intends to
insure that each one secures employment matched to their level
of ability. Further, that each continues progressing as their
employment continues. Your prayers joined with ours are most welcome.
We're confident that this program will succeed.
Our Board
has begun thinking about and planning another project to bless
at a national level. We receive many inquiries from parents wanting
their loved ones to remain close to them. They're looking for
drug and medical-free resources for care and services in their
own communities. Most are not aware that they can stand on their
Constitutional right to receive such services. Christian Science
parents in most communities are forging new territory in insisting
on drug-free care. Twelveacres has been the pioneer in creating
the community partnerships that foster this type of care. We can
assist at the local level in many ways. We have and will continue
to do so. A primary goal our Board has is to establish an easy-to-use,
nation-wide, internet-based network of services available to families
seeking spiritual care in their localities throughout the United
States.
Here at Twelveacres,
we understand that healing is our primary work. This work is not
just for us, but for our weary world as well. We know that like
God's grace, the success we can claim as Christian Science healers,
is unconfined. Our clients carry this "hearts on fire"
momentum into their daily community lives. They are the amazing
and continuing proof of what God is doing. All of us envision
a bright and progressive future sustained and maintained by our
gracious God, the Source and Giver of true health and all good
to man.
CONTACTS:
Twelveacres, Inc.
Board
of Directors:
Christopher Wright, President
Susan Breuer
Gene DeBolt
Margo Gross
David Howell
Kevin Massey
Patricia McNeill
Andrea Moon
Clint Tobias
Executive Director:
Lin Watts
(408) 341.0400 extension 102 or email us at: director@twelveacres.org
Address:
595 Millich Drive
Suite 104
Campbell, CA 95008
To get on
our mailing list, or a copy of our video, or to tour our homes,
send an email to: assistant@twelveacres.org
Advance
Our Work
Our needs
for program support are ongoing. With charitable giving and other
private and public funding continuing to spiral downward, we treasure,
and need, all the metaphysical and financial support you can give
us. We know that Love's outstretched arm encircles each and every
one of its precious ideas. We feel that support each day. We rejoice
in every tangible evidence of it!
For seventy-six years Twelveacres has been providing a loving and nurturing environment for the residence, education and individual growth of the developmentally challenged whose families trust in Christian Science care. Twelveacres today is best described as "a determined,
joyful denial of limitation." Located in four Silicon Valley,
California communities, our mission is to provide homes in which
developmentally disabled adults can experience Christian Science
healing. Our spiritual model of care for these individuals runs
counter to the standard medical and psychological one. Instead
of providing maintenance for the claims related to developmental
disability, we radically rely on Christian Science to heal the
claims. Journal-listed practitioners and our well-trained
staff help clients dismantle claims of mental retardation, birth
defects, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and Down's Syndrome.
Twelveacres, Inc.
was originally called Our Children's Home. From its founding in
1932 until 1969, Twelveacres provided Christian Science-based
day and extended care for children of working families and broken
homes. In 1969 Twelveacres responded to USA-wide requests from
Christian Scientists seeking residential care for their mentally
and physically handicapped children. The facility moved from a
large home on a twelve-acre parcel in Los Altos, California to
a larger aggregate hill campus in nearby northeast San Jose.
We continue to
listen prayerfully for the next steps in this five-year plan.
We know the what -- that is, what we expect to achieve. Now we
are listening for the how. We see options that appear viable.
Some involve partnering with Silicon Valley businesses to design
and complete the required job training, placement and job-retention
for our clients. Another option requires considerable in-house
program design and implementation. We care for clients whose capabilities
range from very limited to very capable. Twelveacres intends to
insure that each one secures employment matched to their level
of ability. Further, that each continues progressing as their
employment continues. Your prayers joined with ours are most welcome.
We're confident that this program will succeed.
