WAXAHACHIE, TX—With specialized care housing at a premium, North Texas became a first in more than one respect. A new neighborhood here was conceived, designed and built for people with intellectual and developmental delays (IDD).

The Daymark Living community, in collaboration with Aspen Heights Partners and Montgomery Street Partners, broke ground this week. Daymark Living will feature private homes along with shared spaces, which will be used to help residents connect, facilitate friendships and learn independence in a supportive, comfortable and supervised environment. Responding to a growing need in the community, Daymark already has 2,000 people on its interest list and 20% of the spaces have been reserved.

“There are 200,000 adults with IDD in North Texas and nowhere for them to live a quality life other than at home with aging parents,” John Poston, president of Daymark Living, tells GlobeSt.com. “There are 700,000 people in Texas with IDD, and only a handful of places exists where they can live a quality life and those are full.”

The Daymark community will offer on-campus programming, designed for students who are looking to further their educations, continue an active social life and ultimately have a college-like experience. Poston, co-founder of the nationally acclaimed Rise School of Dallas and Rise School of Houston, is working alongside dedicated developers, educators, community leaders and parents to ensure the success of the community.

“Our vision for Daymark Living is to provide adults with IDD a safe community where they can engage in an active, healthy lifestyle among their friends and neighbors,” said Poston. “My son, Michael, is happiest when he feels independent. At Daymark Living, independence is our goal. Happiness is our mission.”

Waxahachie, a historic, walkable and growing town of 40,000 people with ample employment options for adults with IDD, is conveniently located just 30 minutes' drive from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, providing easy access to additional job opportunities and resources. It is also accessible to both airports, Dallas Love Field and DFW Airport. Daymark Living will be serving people outside of North Texas and the state, so its proximity to these two transportation hubs makes it more convenient for families to visit.

It also boasts the Baylor Scott & White Health System medical center, numerous parks, hotels, sports complexes and other amenities. Yet at the same time, Waxahachie retains a distinctly friendly, small-town character that is the sort of welcoming place needed for this type of special resident.

“Waxahachie has every amenity to support the residents of Daymark Living, and the culture of the city is a perfect fit,” Poston tells GlobeSt.com. “The people of Waxahachie have welcomed us with open arms.” The 28 resort-style cottages will be on 20 acres with an additional 20 acres for outdoor amenities. Residents will have access to a movie theater, clubhouse and pool, a fitness room, volleyball courts, computer labs, classrooms and private study lounges for continuing education needs. All of this is near a hiking and biking trail, and within a 10-minute walk of Waxahachie's many amenities. Technology will be implemented to promote independence and safety, and with a licensed nurse practitioner and EMTs onsite, residents will have quick access to medical attention.

Some of Daymark's unique residents will include those with Asperger's, autism, Spina Bifida, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, undiagnosed developmental disorder and Turner syndrome, GlobeSt.com learns.

Amy is a 53-year-old with Turner's syndrome. She has lived in her own apartment for 10 years and is independent for most activities, but would like to live around others in a more social setting. Amy has worked at the post office for eight years, but wants to work in a hospital or doctor's office. Daymark Living would provide Amy with the social environment she desires and the classes she needs to improve her interview skills for a more rewarding job.

Patrick is a 60-year-old with Asperger's. He has worked in a pharmacy distribution center for 20 years and loves his job. Patrick lives in an apartment on his own, but as he ages, he would like to live in a community where he can be around peers and have help in overseeing his medications. Daymark Living would provide a more social environment, as well as a nursing staff to distribute medication and deal with any minor medical issues.

“Waxahachie is excited not only to have another quality development within our city, but also to have one that serves and enhances the lives of residents with IDD, making this project even more remarkable,” said Paul Stevens, city manager for Waxahachie. “These individuals add to the diversity of our community and play a positive role in it, and it is important to have housing options that cater to their specific needs.”

WAXAHACHIE, TX—With specialized care housing at a premium, North Texas became a first in more than one respect. A new neighborhood here was conceived, designed and built for people with intellectual and developmental delays (IDD).

The Daymark Living community, in collaboration with Aspen Heights Partners and Montgomery Street Partners, broke ground this week. Daymark Living will feature private homes along with shared spaces, which will be used to help residents connect, facilitate friendships and learn independence in a supportive, comfortable and supervised environment. Responding to a growing need in the community, Daymark already has 2,000 people on its interest list and 20% of the spaces have been reserved.

“There are 200,000 adults with IDD in North Texas and nowhere for them to live a quality life other than at home with aging parents,” John Poston, president of Daymark Living, tells GlobeSt.com. “There are 700,000 people in Texas with IDD, and only a handful of places exists where they can live a quality life and those are full.”

The Daymark community will offer on-campus programming, designed for students who are looking to further their educations, continue an active social life and ultimately have a college-like experience. Poston, co-founder of the nationally acclaimed Rise School of Dallas and Rise School of Houston, is working alongside dedicated developers, educators, community leaders and parents to ensure the success of the community.

“Our vision for Daymark Living is to provide adults with IDD a safe community where they can engage in an active, healthy lifestyle among their friends and neighbors,” said Poston. “My son, Michael, is happiest when he feels independent. At Daymark Living, independence is our goal. Happiness is our mission.”

Waxahachie, a historic, walkable and growing town of 40,000 people with ample employment options for adults with IDD, is conveniently located just 30 minutes' drive from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, providing easy access to additional job opportunities and resources. It is also accessible to both airports, Dallas Love Field and DFW Airport. Daymark Living will be serving people outside of North Texas and the state, so its proximity to these two transportation hubs makes it more convenient for families to visit.

It also boasts the Baylor Scott & White Health System medical center, numerous parks, hotels, sports complexes and other amenities. Yet at the same time, Waxahachie retains a distinctly friendly, small-town character that is the sort of welcoming place needed for this type of special resident.

“Waxahachie has every amenity to support the residents of Daymark Living, and the culture of the city is a perfect fit,” Poston tells GlobeSt.com. “The people of Waxahachie have welcomed us with open arms.” The 28 resort-style cottages will be on 20 acres with an additional 20 acres for outdoor amenities. Residents will have access to a movie theater, clubhouse and pool, a fitness room, volleyball courts, computer labs, classrooms and private study lounges for continuing education needs. All of this is near a hiking and biking trail, and within a 10-minute walk of Waxahachie's many amenities. Technology will be implemented to promote independence and safety, and with a licensed nurse practitioner and EMTs onsite, residents will have quick access to medical attention.

Some of Daymark's unique residents will include those with Asperger's, autism, Spina Bifida, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, undiagnosed developmental disorder and Turner syndrome, GlobeSt.com learns.

Amy is a 53-year-old with Turner's syndrome. She has lived in her own apartment for 10 years and is independent for most activities, but would like to live around others in a more social setting. Amy has worked at the post office for eight years, but wants to work in a hospital or doctor's office. Daymark Living would provide Amy with the social environment she desires and the classes she needs to improve her interview skills for a more rewarding job.

Patrick is a 60-year-old with Asperger's. He has worked in a pharmacy distribution center for 20 years and loves his job. Patrick lives in an apartment on his own, but as he ages, he would like to live in a community where he can be around peers and have help in overseeing his medications. Daymark Living would provide a more social environment, as well as a nursing staff to distribute medication and deal with any minor medical issues.

“Waxahachie is excited not only to have another quality development within our city, but also to have one that serves and enhances the lives of residents with IDD, making this project even more remarkable,” said Paul Stevens, city manager for Waxahachie. “These individuals add to the diversity of our community and play a positive role in it, and it is important to have housing options that cater to their specific needs.”