Ann's Nest

08/28/2026

Watch it happen. 🎥

Clearing continues on our 6-acre property in Harbor Springs — the future home of Ann's Nest.

Interested in a walking tour? Send us a message!

08/25/2026

There's a lot to be excited about with Ann's Nest, and everyone seems to have their own reason.

Which reason excites you the most?

A. A home close to family: Right now, many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in our area have to leave Emmet and Charlevoix counties to find a home that fits their needs. Ann's Nest means they can stay near the people who love them.

B. A say in daily life: Ann's Nest homes are built around choice and dignity, not just care. Residents get real input into their routines, their space, and who they live with.

C. Relief for caregivers: Many parents and family caregivers are getting older and worry about what happens when they can no longer provide care. Ann's Nest is a long term answer to that fear.

D. A community built by neighbors: This isn't a facility dropped in from somewhere else. It's built by local co-founders, board members, and neighbors who know the families here and the gap they're filling.

Tell us your letter in the comments, or share your own. 💛

08/24/2026

It's easy to think disability inclusion only benefits people with disabilities, but the truth is that everyone benefits when communities are designed for everyone to participate.

Research has found that inclusive communities can lead to:

🤝 Stronger social connections by creating opportunities for meaningful relationships.

💛 Reduced loneliness and isolation, especially for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

🛡️ Safer environments, because people are more visible, supported, and connected to others around them.

📈 Greater community participation, allowing people to contribute their talents, skills, and perspectives.

Why is this important?

Because belonging isn't a luxury; it's a human need.

At Ann's Nest, we believe housing is about more than providing a place to live. It's about creating a community where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are known, valued, and connected.

When we build communities where everyone belongs, we all thrive.
Drop a 👍 in the comments if you agree!

08/20/2026

🙏 Learning from those who've walked this road before us

Thank you to Sharon Blain, Executive Director of Spectrum Community Services - Western Region, and Casey Kuperus, President at David's House Ministries, for meeting with our Board of Directors recently. They shared what it's really like to run Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Michigan — the wins, the challenges, and everything in between.

One thing we walked away with: we need more advocacy across the state — to push for higher reimbursement rates, stronger support for families, and living wages for the dedicated staff who make this work possible.

We also learned more about their service models and had great conversations about how Ann's Nest will meet the needs of people with IDD right here in Emmet County.

Thank you, Sharon and Casey — and to our Board members — for taking the time to help us build a place of belonging. 🏡

Want to be part of the push for change?

Click that follow button to stay in the loop on advocacy opportunities and how you can make your voice heard.

08/18/2026

Our Executive Director, Mary Grace McCaskill, recently joined the Purpose Maker Leadership podcast to share her journey leading nonprofit teams and raising millions for causes like children's hospitals and healthcare, and now, guiding the vision for dignified, inclusive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here in Northern Michigan.

It's a great listen if you want to understand the heart behind this project — give it a watch! 🎧

Mary Grace McCaskill, Executive Director of Ann's Nest, joins the P...

08/14/2026

How will Ann's Nest be funded?

We are working to make this vision possible through support from generous donors, foundations, and community partnerships.

The estimated cost of the first residential home is approximately $1.5 million, with additional development costs depending on land and future community plans.

Once operational, resident care and housing support may also be supplemented through programs such as Medicaid, Social Security, and other government assistance resources.

👉 Learn more at annsnest.org/faq

08/13/2026

💛 A beautiful evening for a beautiful cause

Thank you, Ellen Noneman, for hosting a lovely gathering at your home recently to share about all that is happening with Ann's Nest! It was a joy to connect with old friends and new ones, and to talk about the progress happening on S. State Rd. — from breaking ground to what's ahead for our future residents.

Moments like these remind us that this mission is carried forward by community. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more, ask questions, and be part of the journey. 🏡

🪹 Want to stay in the loop on everything happening with Ann's Nest? Sign up for our email updates: www.annsnest.org/subscribe

08/10/2026

🏡 Progress you can see (and walk!)

Work continues at our property on S. State Rd. in Harbor Springs — and we would love to show it to you! This 6-acre parcel is where Ann's Nest will take shape: a place built for independence, dignity, and belonging.

If you're interested in getting a walking tour of the property, send us a message — we'd love to show you around!

08/06/2026

"The American Dream is not ADA accessible."

That's from Rebecca Cokley, director of the U.S. Disability Rights program at the Foundation, talking about what it takes to build a democracy where people with disabilities are fully included — starting with the right to vote.

It's a reminder of something we think about constantly at Ann's Nest: full participation in community life isn't automatic. It has to be built, intentionally, into the places people live and the systems around them. That's true for voting booths, and it's true for housing.

Worth a watch and a share!

Rebecca Cokley is the director of U.S. Disability Rights at the For...

07/31/2026

What makes Harbor Springs feel like home to you?

Is it the peace of a walk in nature — the trees, the water, the quiet beauty of Northern Michigan?

Or is it the community events — familiar faces, local traditions, and moments that bring people together?

Drop your pick in the comments:
🌲 A walk in nature
or
🎶 Community events

These are the kinds of everyday connections that help a place feel like home.

And for many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, staying connected to home has not always been possible. When safe, supportive housing is not available locally, people may have to move away from their families, routines, and the community they know and love.

Ann’s Nest is working to change that.

Our vision is to create a place where adults with IDD can live safely, build meaningful relationships, and remain close to the Northern Michigan community they call home.

Because belonging should not mean moving far away. 💜

www.annesnest.org