Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Age Diversity in Groups

[RowenaHC (RowenaHC]

Early in Cambridge Coho's life, about the time we were asking people to make 
the first significant down payment, we had one family that made a condition 
of its membership that we commit to getting at least 15 families with 
children under 15, out of a total of 41 units.   Like most urban groups, we 
were overwhelmed with applications from singles and empty nesters.  We agreed 
that we would return their money if we didn't meet that number and with the 
assistance of that family we engaged in outreach to attract young families - 
going to places like nursery and other schools as well as talking to people 
directly and assigning a "buddy" to follow up on any contacts from the right 
demographics.   We also committed to professional child-care during meetings 
and so on.   Well, we made it.   But I think it will continue to be a 
challenge in the city to maintain the numbers.

Rowena