Mission

Located in the beautiful Berkshires, the Cadmus Lifesharing Association creates a vibrant community where people of all abilities live fulfilling lives together. Through shared living, meaningful work, and genuine connections, we celebrate diversity and build a better world where developmental differences are embraced, and everyone can reach their fullest potential.

History

Inspired by the Camphill movement's philosophy of inclusion, the Cadmus Lifesharing Association was founded in 1989 to offer a different way of life.  Our community members live with independence and purpose, their homes integrated within welcoming Berkshire towns.

Cadmus is a conscious community of people who wish to enrich themselves by living with people who have intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Cadmus runs on the principles of shared vision, interdependence and interaction.  We believe that a system based on these principles will value all people and create conditions for people who have unique needs to be supported and treated with dignity, respect and attention to the specifics of their individual lives.  We believe that people learn, live and labor most effectively when they are appreciated, honored and valued for the contributions they make to the common good.

Many of the people who head our households have come from Camphill communities, and Cadmus has strong ties with Camphill.  We are currently applying to become an affiliate member of the Camphill Association of North America. 

Being outdoors, connected to the land is an important part of our day.  We hike, swim, ski and skate, and Our households maintain gardens, have pets and small farm animals, and value the importance of healthy food.

We pride ourselves on our ability to create a residential or day program that will suit each individual’s interests and needs, rather than trying to fit people into a general model.

mission and history

Cadmus Lifesharing Association includes households throughout southern Berkshire County. Founded in 1984 with two households and incorporated in 1989, Cadmus was created to bring the lifesharing philosophy of the Camphill movement. Camphill communities are located around the world and are founded on the principles of Karl Koenig in bringing people who have a disability to their fullest fruition by sharing life and work with others in a conscious way.

The insights that guide our community arise from Anthroposophy, which was described and taught by Rudolph Steiner. Anthroposophy seeks to use mainly natural means to optimize physical and mental health and well-being.

The Cadmus motto is: All are perfect in their essential being and all are handicapped in bringing that perfect essence to expression.

The Cadmus Mission is to support each other in our efforts to improve ourselves. The relationships we build among the members of our households and within Cadmus as a whole, are based on a commitment to foster a dynamic community in which it is no handicap to be “handicapped.”