Ann's Nest

A community for adults with disabilities. Ann's Nest offers a living environment of love, friendship, and belonging.

06/11/2026

Ann's Nest owns property! 🎉

Yesterday, the West Traverse Township Board approved our special use permit to build Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes in Harbor Springs.

And today? Thanks to our incredible donors, we closed on 6 acres on South State Rd.

Paul Matthews (Co-Founder), Jim Hart (Advisory Board), and Bob Vala (Co-Founder) were there to celebrate this milestone in person — and we are so grateful for everyone who made this moment possible.

This land is more than a parcel on a map. It's the future home of Ann's Nest, a place of belonging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in northern Michigan. We can't wait to build it together!

👉 Want to be the first to hear updates as we break ground and bring this vision to life? Sign up for our email list : https://www.annsnest.org/subscribe

06/10/2026

Many people hear the term “IDD” but aren’t sure what it actually means.

Intellectual and developmental disabilities can include conditions like Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, and others. Some disabilities are visible. Many are not.

Every person experiences life differently, with their own strengths, personality, interests, and support needs.

Why does this matter?

Because understanding leads to compassion. And compassion helps create communities where people with IDD are included, respected, and valued.

At Ann’s Nest, we believe everyone deserves dignity, belonging, and a safe place to call home.

06/06/2026

🌲 Beautiful design + good neighbor values = Ann's Nest 🏡

One question the team asked early on: How do we build something wonderful while respecting the natural beauty of Harbor Springs?

THE ANSWER:
✨ Native trees and evergreen screening blend the homes into the wooded landscape
💡 Thoughtful lighting design minimizes impact on neighbors
🏘️ Five homes designed to feel like a peaceful residential neighborhood
🤝 An activity center that brings residents together

The design team at White & Liebler Architects and Site Planning worked hard to create something that honors both:
💚 The natural character of our community
❤️ The hopes and dreams of 30 residents who will call Ann's Nest home

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Township Board vote is June 9th!

If you believe in inclusive community design and supporting our neighbors with disabilities, consider sharing this post or reaching out to show your support. 🙌

www.annsnest.org

06/04/2026

Meet Bob Vala and Paul Matthews.

These two Harbor Springs community members saw a need and decided to do something about it.

The result?

Ann's Nest—a place where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can:

🏡 Live in real homes with supportive care
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Stay close to family and friends
💼 Access jobs, recreation, and community life
🤗 Experience independence and belonging

"This isn't just about building homes—it's about building hope," Bob says.

And 250+ donors agree. They've already stepped up to make this vision a reality.

Will you be part of the story?
Every donation helps. Every share helps. Every word of support helps.

📞 231-412-0042
💙 www.annsnest.org

Because everyone deserves to belong. ✨

06/01/2026

Ann’s Nest plans to begin with a residential home designed for six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As support and funding grow, the long-term vision includes expanding the community with additional homes and shared spaces designed around dignity, belonging, and support.

The need for housing is significant. Currently, dozens of individuals with IDD from Emmet and Charlevoix counties are living outside the area due to limited local housing options.

Ann’s Nest exists to help change that.

👉 Learn more at www.annsnest.org/faq

05/27/2026

At the heart of Ann’s Nest is a simple belief: every person deserves dignity, safety, and a place where they truly belong.

For Co-Founder Bob Vala, this mission is deeply personal.

Like many parents and caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he understands the questions families carry about the future and the importance of creating lasting, compassionate housing solutions close to home.

Ann’s Nest was born out of that vision: building a community where adults with IDD are not only cared for, but valued.

👉 Learn more about the vision at annsnest.org

05/22/2026

🎉 GREAT NEWS from Harbor Springs!

The Planning Commission just recommended approval for Ann's Nest—a new residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Families in our area have faced a tough reality: There are almost no local housing options for their adult children with disabilities. Many have had to move their loved ones far away or settle for limited choices.

Ann's Nest changes that.

The community will include:
✨ 5 beautiful homes for 30 residents
🎨 An activity center for daily programming and community events
👥 Design focused on independence, safety, and belonging
🤝 A chance for residents to stay close to family

NEXT STEP:
The Township Board votes June 9th!

If approved, construction can start right away. A generous donor has already committed to buying the property—we just need that final township approval.

Want to support this dream?
Donate, volunteer, or spread the word!

📞 231-412-0042
🌐 www.annsnest.org

Together, we're building a community where everyone belongs. 💙

05/20/2026

"When their parents can't take care of them, they will have a place to go."

Those were the closing words of an essay by fifth grader Levi Otis, written for the annual Charlevoix Kiwanis Club essay contest.

Students at Charlevoix Elementary were asked to write about a local nonprofit that deserves community support — and Levi chose Ann's Nest. In his essay, he shared about the challenges families face when there are few local housing options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the story of Zach, the son of our advisory board member Mark Zabawa, who is pictured with Levi below.

On Friday, Levi read his essay aloud in front of his classmates and community members. As one of five grand prize winners, he had the honor of presenting a $200 check from the Kiwanis Club directly to Ann's Nest.

We are so grateful for Levi's compassion and advocacy, for the Kiwanis Club for inspiring students to think about how they can make a difference, and for everyone championing a future of belonging and dignity for adults with IDD in northern Michigan.

Read Levi's full essay here: https://www.annsnest.org/anns-nest-newsletters/a-fifth-graders-heart-for-anns-nest

05/18/2026

We’re building something that matters—but we can’t do it alone.

Ann’s Nest is creating a future where adults with IDD have a place to call home—today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime.

Every share, every conversation, every supporter helps bring this vision closer to reality.

👉 Follow Ann’s Nest
👉 Share this video
👉 Visit www.annsnest.org to get involved

Together, we can build something lasting.

05/15/2026

Ann’s Nest is being built by a community who cares.

You can be part of it:

✔ Learn more
✔ Share our mission
✔ Support the vision
✔ Pray for the families we serve

Every step forward happens because people like you believe this matters.

Thank you for being here.

First step is to stay connected to the cause.
Sign up today at https://www.annsnest.org/subscribe

Address

930 S. State St
Harbor Springs, MI
49740

Website

http://www.annsnest.org/

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