It takes a lot of dedication to work toward creating a residential intentional community. Sometimes it seems thankless when others don’t see how it is part of working toward a more just and equitable world. I hope ICmatch gives you some valuable resources and helps you identify others who share your vision. I’m told people want a founder’s message to know something about the motivations and background behind it.
I grew up in a tight-knit rural community where people shared a faith tradition and looked after each other, so community has always been part of my life. With seven siblings in our low-income household, pretty much everything was shared: clothing, bicycles, and a car during our teen years. Despite exploring ideologies that promote an individualist culture, cooperation of the whole was always important for me. Even when I was financially independent and busy with full time work, I felt a shared responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the family, the church congregation, and my friends. I have a master’s degree in psychology. I completed a multiculturalism and women’s studies minor. Topics of in-depth study included personality, leadership, and education. I’m court rostered as a mediator. I lived at an intentional community. There I experienced dysfunctional leadership and brilliant leadership (in the same person). Somehow all these interests and experiences converged to result in founding ICmatch. I’m a green, according to the political compass. Whatever your flavor of intentional community, I hope the site helps you succeed. We need all kinds. –Ardell Broadbent