Our motivation
Our desire in building Hilltop Ranch is to meet the needs of our daughter Sarah, and others with IDD who need a place to call “home.”
Sarah, or “Buddy” as she likes to be called, has a large family – Mom and Dad, two sisters, a brother, her “bonus siblings” as she calls her sister and brother-in-laws, six nieces and nephews and her Grandpa Mac. All of us care deeply about Sarah’s future, that she has a stable home and feels fulfilled and valuable. If she’s loved one-tenth as much as she loves everyone she meets, her cup will be overflowing!
The birth of the vision
Our vision to build Hilltop Ranch began the day we were treated to a performance by The Miracles, a choir from The Baddour Center in Mississippi. Between songs the community was described and our hearts were captured! Sarah has a HUGE heart for people as evidenced by the 175 people that came to her high school graduation party. Or the 17 neighbor families, among other people, who made her 30th birthday party extra special. How many of us even know 17 families in our neighborhood? Sarah does! To think of Sarah being able to call a whole campus “home” with a large, stable, family… no words can describe the hope we felt! We knew that Colorado needed a community like this and feel creating it is our purpose for the years ahead. You’re in for a treat if you visit the Baddour campus! We’ve also enjoyed visiting Rainbow Acres in Arizona. Both communities give a picture of what our goals are for Hilltop Ranch.
The need
Over 12,000 adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Colorado are living with parents or caregivers over the age of sixty. The deficit in available homes will only increase as the baby boomer generation ages and become increasingly unable to care for their adult IDD children. The “Host Home” model offered through the government can be a wonderful option, but, host families change regularly over the years and our children would likely live in ten, twenty, or more families in their lifetime.
Our IDD adults are as unique from one another as we all are. Having a variety of models of homes available for them to choose from is important for them. Hilltop Ranch will be a valuable addition to the housing options for our IDD population.
Our name and unique purpose
Hilltop Ranch is a faith-based non-profit committed to providing a permanent, forever home where adults with intellectual disabilities can live life to the fullest. We serve peoples of all or no faiths, but our founding principles are based on the love and teachings of Jesus.
Including seniors, college-age young people, and others as residents will enhance the life of the Hilltop Ranch community as each resident uses their unique abilities and gifts to bring joy and meaning to the lives of the other residents.