About the Program
Friendship House Fayetteville is an intentional living community that offers affordable, integrated housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, referred to as “friend residents.”
The community primarily focuses on college students and professionals. Friendship House Fayetteville collaborates with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to provide intentional, transitional living. This faith-based community is centered around fellowship, expressed through daily eating, praying, and celebrating together.
Friendship House’s impact is transformative for both students/professionals and friend residents. As a pathway to independent living, rehabilitation staff support friend residents in achieving sustainable employment while helping them develop independent living skills. Additionally, college students /professionals serve as mentors, gaining greater awareness and empathy for community living and its relevance to their professional careers.
The Friendship House Model
The Friendship House Fayetteville campus features three homes, each containing two apartment suites. Three students/professionals typically reside in each apartment suite alongside one “friend resident.” Friend residents are adults with disabilities who have previously lived at home with family support. All residents share their living spaces as roommates and friends. This model of inclusive living fosters relationships characterized by mutual self-giving, transforming and uplifting all those involved.
Friend residents develop independent living skills, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their social awareness. Meanwhile, students and professionals cultivate compassion by living alongside individuals with and without disabilities through hands-on experience.
To help friend residents transition to independent living, rehabilitation staff support them in achieving sustainable employment and developing essential life skills. Students/professionals act as mentors and positive role models, gaining a deeper understanding of community living and enhancing their empathy related to their professional pursuits.
Meet Some of Our Residents
David
Student Resident
David is a third-year Family Medicine Resident at Southern Regional AHEC. David has lived at FSH since 2022. He stays active in the community, and he loves to go to the movies. He takes a group from FSH each month.
Tyler
Friend Resident
Tyler is a master fisherman who makes his own fishing lures, which he sells at the Friendship House Farmer Market. He loves country music and displays his singing abilities yearly at the Friendship House Talent Show.
Katie
Professional Resident
Katie is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Her experience at Friendship House Fayetteville has been very positive. “The friend and student/professional residents have shown me so much support as I adjusted to my job and the campus.”
John “JB”
Friend Resident
JB wanted to live at Friendship House to prepare for his future. He enjoys learning how to do things independently and making his own decisions. My best memories are simply spending time with my roommates, from singing songs to doing dishes.”
Rajil
Student Resident
Rajil is an international student obtaining his master’s in computer science at Fayetteville State University. He speaks French and English and is passionate about reading.
Thomas
Friend Resident
Thomas is a walking encyclopedia of song lyrics. He has two degrees in music, and he loves to sing and play his saxophone.
Inside Friendship House Fayetteville
Friendship House Fayetteville completed construction in July 2018 on the leased grounds of Highland Presbyterian Church. Employment Source North Carolina operates the campus.
Friendship House Fayetteville consists of three (3) apartment-style homes, each with two (2) apartments. Each apartment features four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a kitchen, a laundry room, and a common living area. The everyday living area, kitchen, and laundry room are fully furnished, but residents are responsible for supplying their bedrooms. Each Friend and Student/Professional Resident pays $475 monthly, which includes utilities.
Three students or professionals live in each apartment suite alongside one “Friend Resident.” Friend Residents are adults with disabilities who have previously lived at home with family support. All residents live together as roommates and friends. This inclusive living model fosters relationships characterized by mutual support, transforming and encouraging everyone involved. Friend Residents develop independent living skills, enhance their self-esteem, and gain social awareness, while students and professionals cultivate compassion through hands-on experience. As a pathway to independent living, rehabilitation staff assist Friend residents in securing sustainable employment and developing independent living skills. College students and professionals serve as mentors, gaining a deeper understanding of community living and strengthening their empathy in their professional endeavors.
Donors and Community Partnerships
Employment Source values its community partnerships and every contribution to support our inclusive living model.
Matching makes the most of your donation!
The ServiceSource Foundation Trustees are matching donations of up to $80,000 to help Employment Source build the cottages.
The Friendship House Cottages will provide longer-term housing support for friend residents who move on from Friendship House transitional housing.
Click the button below to donate. Choose "Employment Source" as your designation and note "Friendship House Cottages" in the comment box.
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