The First Families

One of the questions people often ask as a project like this begins to take shape is simple:

Who else is actually doing this?

It’s a natural question. It’s one thing to be drawn to an idea, and another to imagine what it looks like in real life — who is showing up, what they care about, and whether you might see yourself among them.

As Gratitude Village has moved from concept toward something more tangible, that picture has started to come into focus. Right now, we have 11 founding households who have chosen to take that step.

What’s been most encouraging is not just the number of households, but the alignment we’re seeing in those who are choosing to move forward.

These aren’t people who all look the same or come from the same stage of life. In fact, the diversity within this group is one of the things that makes it feel most real. There are individuals, couples, and families. Some are thinking about raising children in a more connected environment. Others are looking ahead to how they want to age and what kind of support and community they want around them.

Some are drawn to the sustainability aspect — the opportunity to live in a way that is more thoughtful about energy, resources, and long-term impact. Others are motivated by the social side, wanting more connection in their day-to-day lives without giving up privacy or independence. For many, it’s a combination of all of those things.

What connects this group is not a single reason, but a shared sense that the way we’ve been living doesn’t always support the kind of life we want over the long term. There is a desire for something more intentional, more connected, and in many ways, more human.

At the same time, this is not a static group.

Like any project at this stage, people take time to explore, to ask questions, and to decide what is right for them. Some step forward, and others realize it isn’t the right fit right now. That’s part of the process, and it’s one of the things that helps create a group that is genuinely aligned.

This isn’t about gathering as many people as possible. It’s about building the right group of people to create something meaningful together. That distinction matters.

Because what will ultimately shape Gratitude Village is not just the physical design, but the people who choose to be part of it. The relationships, the shared agreements, and the day-to-day culture of the community all begin long before anyone moves in.

That’s already happening.

There are conversations taking place, ideas being shared, and connections forming. It’s early, and there is still a long way to go, but the foundation is being laid in ways that aren’t always visible from the outside.

For someone considering whether this might be a fit, the question isn’t just “Do I like the idea?” It’s also:"Do I see myself among these people?" And that’s not something that can be answered quickly.

It comes from paying attention, joining a conversation, and getting a feel for whether this kind of community aligns with what you’ve been looking for. Not perfectly.

But meaningfully. And as we move into the next phase of design, those relationships and shared priorities will begin to take shape in more visible ways.