Down Home Ranch

Down Home Ranch is a working farm and ranch, founded in 1989 by parents of a young daughter born with Down syndrome four years prior. The Ranch was inspired by the writings and work of Jean Vanier, Henri Nouwen, and Rudolf Steiner and driven by the paucity of resources available to adults with intellectual disabilities. The company offers the compa... ny's residents a safe and loving home along with opportunities for growth based on deep respect for their individuality and personhood. The company's residents, or Ranchers, live in a variety of homes suited to their individual needs: Six-person group homes on site with 24-hour staff; Three-person homes in Elgin with 24-hour staff; Two-person cottages on the ranch with intermittent staff; Single-person cottages on site with intermittent staff. Many staff members make their home on the ranch, lending stability and a sense of security to the community.Read More