Benjamin’s Hope - Home 5 is part of a vibrant and inclusive community designed to offer a supportive and enriching environment for adults with intellectual and developmental differences, including those on the autism spectrum. The vision behind Benjamin’s Hope centers on the core belief that all individuals are beautifully created and deserving of hope, connection, and a sense of belonging. Life at Home 5 is marked by a commitment to autonomy, purpose, and authentic relationships, with residents living in independent or semi-independent apartments within welcoming, farm-style homes.
The daily experience at Home 5 is built around the entire campus’s mission to allow people to live, learn, play, and worship in a space intentionally crafted for people of all abilities. Residents can engage in the NEXT weekday program, a growth-focused, life-long learning initiative that emphasizes whole-person development. Through volunteerism, horticulture, physical fitness, spiritual nourishment, and social opportunities, participants in the NEXT program are encouraged to pursue meaningful activities that foster independence and personal growth.
Recreation and play feature organically throughout the environment. Residents can spend time visiting with gentle alpacas, taking peaceful walks along winding campus trails, gathering at Club Connect, or exploring the sensory gardens that offer moments of both enjoyment and relaxation. These shared spaces foster friendship and invite everyone to connect over common interests. The welcoming atmosphere helps make Home 5 not just a place to live but a true community.
The inclusive spirit of Benjamin’s Hope also shines through in its commitment to spiritual life with the Church of Benjamin’s Hope, where everyone, regardless of ability, is invited to participate in a warm, accepting weekly worship service held on campus each Sunday evening. This faith-centered gathering further strengthens the bonds between residents and the greater West Michigan community, celebrating each person as they are.
Purpose and creativity are nurtured in the everyday life of Home 5, from the gardens and greenhouses to the barns and walking trails that define the campus landscape. The model here supports meaningful day programming and life enrichment opportunities that allow residents to contribute, learn, and experience a sense of responsibility and joy. Benjamin’s Hope - Home 5 stands as part of a pioneering non-profit leader devoted to offering innovative housing and growth options, sustained by the partnership between public resources and generous community support. The result is a thriving place where unique stories, abilities, and talents are not just welcomed, but truly celebrated.