At Friends of JCDS

We take the improbable and make it POSSIBLE.

Friends of JCDS, Inc. ensures that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are successful in our communities. We remove barriers to affordable, accessible housing and help with basic needs for individuals who receive support from Johnson County Developmental Supports. By helping with these core obstacles, we ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Johnson County can be successful in our community as active and engaged members.

Our Vision and Mission:

Vision: Communities where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have no unique barriers to achieving a life of quality.

Mission: Through our kinship with Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS), we provide basic needs, affordable housing, and life enhancing opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In the Last Year

$ 415153

Was invested in additional improvements to our homes to make them more accessible.

497

Individuals were impacted.

$ 48456

Was provided in special assistance funds.

For People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Our support looks like a pair of new shoes to start a new job or a smile after a visit to the dentist that wouldn’t be possible without Friends of JCDS. The average individual we support faces a huge hurdle when they have to balance the high standard costs of living and limited access to an adequate income and medical resources.

$ 13524

is the average annual income of individuals served by Friends of JCDS.

$ 370 /MONTH

is what we charge per unit in a home. Fair market rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Johnson County is $949.

$ 275

Is the average savings per month our homes deliver to individuals served

Over the past few years, our most popular request was to help people stay engaged. This looked like gardening supplies, putting in accessible gardening beds, outdoor activities, and supplies. In the past individuals wanted to increase healthy activities – tennis shoes to walk, exercise clothing, fitness classes, equipment, memberships – all from individuals wanting to address poor health. They want to move, exercise and be healthy.

To Access Basic Living Needs

Special Assistance

We tip the scales in favor of the individuals we support when limited budgets cannot meet their basic needs. We help with rent assistance, clothing, food, medical expenses, and other basic needs that help promote independence, success and community engagement for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults in Johnson County.

Affordable & Accessible Housing

Friends of JCDS, Inc. owns 19 homes that have been remodeled to meet universal design standards. What does that mean? A ramp that allows egress. Widened doorways and hallways. Bathrooms that are accessible. Our housing assistance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Johnson County Developmental Supports keeps their rent well below market value so individuals can afford to live in our community. We have a goal to complete 24 homes by 2025. We currently have three homes in the pipeline.

So They Can Succeed In the Community With Us

Help us uplift this community so they can succeed! Our community continues to provide donations, volunteer hours, advocacy and support to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged members of our community.

Get Involved!

Events

Friends Rock

Saturday, October 7, 2023

October 7, 2023 | 12 pm - 3 pm

Hurricane Allies

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What we accomplished in 2023

2023

December 31, 2023 | 7 pm

Friends of JCDS

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Testimonials

My involvement with Friends like organizations dates back to my childhood. I grew up with a downs syndrome older brother who has been a continued source of inspiration t...

Michael Cochran | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors | Read More

My involvement with Friends like organizations dates back to my childhood. I grew up with a downs syndrome older brother who has been a continued source of inspiration to my life. My parents were part of a grassroots effort that organized to provide schooling and employment opportunities for this population. The activities of Friends brings meaning and community to not only those that we serve but just as important to those caring individuals that surround them.

Michael Cochran | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors

Friends of JCDS brings local change to support, nurture and empower individuals of all ages. I am proud and honored to be able to serve on the board of Friends of JCDS t...

Ali Lotia | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors | Read More

Friends of JCDS brings local change to support, nurture and empower individuals of all ages. I am proud and honored to be able to serve on the board of Friends of JCDS that provides services to our community members with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Growing up with a family member that suffered from learning disabilities and watching him struggle makes me really appreciate all the work Friends of JCDS does to secure a better quality of life for members of our community and their families.

Ali Lotia | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors

My aha moment with Friends of JCDS was the demolition day my family and I participated in for the Santa Fe House. Really getting see how we, community members, family vo...

Chad VonAhnen | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors | Read More

My aha moment with Friends of JCDS was the demolition day my family and I participated in for the Santa Fe House. Really getting see how we, community members, family volunteers, etc. can put this all together to support people truly living and participating in the community.

Chad VonAhnen | Member of Friends of JCDS Board of Directors