A Message From the Founder: Nancy Korn
Dear Friends,
Hi! My name is Nancy. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. It's a long story so bear with me. I have been an educator all of my life. I am a licensed K-6 Common Branch Teacher, K-12 Reading Specialist, and School District Administrator. I have many years of experience educating children but nothing could have prepared me for life as a special need's mother. When my son Lucas was diagnosed with ASD at just 19 months old, I learned everything I could to help him which included becoming trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Floor-time, SonRise, and Homeopathic Medicine.
In sixth grade, I took him out of school to educate him at home immersing him in hands on, experiential learning which I have always felt is the best way to learn. I taught him for eight years, six hours a day, five days a week, all by myself. Those years took a lot out of me but I would not change that time we spent alone together for anything. I have many treasured memories of art projects, bible study, and singing songs to remember our continents. I was so very proud to award Lucas his high-school diploma this past spring.
When I started looking at post-secondary programs and especially work for Lucas, again I found a limited set of options that would not work for Lucas as an adult. As every parent of an adult child with special needs does, I often thought of the time he would have to fend for himself. Because of this, I started FARMSTEADABILITY, a place where differently-abled adults could learn hands on skills through volunteer work experiences on a small farm!
Working, teaching and spending quality time with our adult special need's community at FARMSTEADABILITY led me to expand my vision into something more.
That ever-present question continued to enter my mind daily as I worked with this population in such an authentic, crunchy type of way, always guided by my faith in God. The joy I felt with them and saw in their eyes I cannot put into words. It can only be felt WITH THE HEART.
They were learning so much, becoming more independent, making real friends,,,,BUT...what about when I'm gone? Where will my son live? Where will they live? Who will provide meaningful work for them? What about their emotional health...they need real friends, all kinds of support, COMMUNITY.
I then took the time to grapple with these questions silently and in prayer. And my scope grew, exponentially, not really out of choice but out of necessity because those answers did not come in the way I expected, but in the words, "build it".
Ofcourse I thought to myself, "Nancy you're nuts, you are taking on too much, you can't do this, its too hard" But I have learned to listen closely to what My Father tells me and I trust Him, not myself. I believe this endeavor is Spirit led truly and I believe He will make this what it should be. My faith carries me always.
So I was led to the greater vision of building an actual community, a VILLAGE for our special needs adults where they will LIVE, WORK, LEARN< SOCIALIZE, and SUPPORT one another in a myriad of ways. HOMESTEADABILITY will be a place where everyone has a future and live their best life.
So a new adventure has begun! HOMESTEADABILITY is a Spirit led endeavor that will take many beautiful human beings to turn into a reality. It is a values-based and faith informed 501C3 corporation that I hope will continue way beyond my time on this earth and allow our residents to live their lives to their fullest potential.
FARMSTEADABILITY will continue as one of the businesses that will support HOMESTEADABILITY and our differently-abled adults in their pursuit of meaningful work.
I invite you to come be a part of their wonderful future!
Hugs,
Nancy
Co Founder:Evan Korn
Evan is Nancy's husband and Lucas' father. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of IDEKO, an N.Y.C based Experiential Production Agency focused on producing, designing, building and permitting live events. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Tisch Center for Hospitality in the Masters Event Management Program.
Evan started his career in the field of Psychology, graduating from SUNY Old Westbury with a BA in Psychology and then working as a Mental Health Worker at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He worked as an aid for Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the Community Affairs Office and then as an Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Department of Transportation.
In 2007 Evan was appointed to serve as the first Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management. Evan advised NYC’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg on policy, planning, and operational matters common to the permitting, coordination, and execution of street events and other activities in public spaces.
Evan is committed to using his knowledge and skills to help differently- abled adults succeed in business so they can live, work, and participate in the community as independently and productively as possible.
Evan is the Vice President of HOMSTEADABILITY, INC, A FL Non-Profit Corporation
CFO:Lee Korn
Lee is Evan’s brother. He is the Principal, Financial Advisor at his Investment Firm, Opal Wealth Advisors. He is committed to seeing clients succeed. He loves to brainstorm ideas to arrive at the best solutions and he stands side-by-side with clients to help make sure those solutions are effectively implemented.
In particular, Lee enjoys assisting business owners in identifying opportunities and strategies to take their companies to the next level. With a forward-thinking outlook, he helps Opal remain at the forefront of the financial planning industry.
Lee is committed to helping individuals with special needs prepare to live as independently as possible and attain the bright future they so deserve.
Lee is a Director of HOMSTEADABILITY, INC, a FL Non-Profit Corporation