From “The Gang of Nine” to nearly 90 Homes
Message From Our Founders
In the late 1960’s, a group of parents came together, asking “what’s next?” for their aging children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Promise Community Homes is the answer they created.
From "The Gang of Nine" to Nearly 90 Homes
In the late 1960’s, a group of parents came together, asking “what’s next?” for their aging children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Promise Community Homes is the answer they created. These founders (dubbed the “Gang of Nine”) were operating in a time and in a society that provided NO integrated residential living options, NO educational and recreational opportunities. So they BUILT the solution. The newspapers sometimes called them “charitable housewives”. We also call them entrepreneurial visionaries who concepted, advocated, and fundraised. Breaking down boundaries. Defying convention. We are proud to tell their story…
By 1978, they constructed seven group homes, the Wolff Community Center for education and recreation, and a respite care center on nine acres in St. Louis County.
Today, their family members are senior adults, living and thriving in their unique vision manifest. The success of that initial program led to almost 100 homes throughout St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, and Jefferson County.
By 1978, they constructed seven group homes, the Wolff Community Center for education and recreation, and a respite care center on nine acres in St. Louis County.
Today, it may seem daunting as we face challenges to meet the growing and complex housing needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We remain inspired by the founders, and invite you to help us keep innovating to assure that more people and future generations have welcoming, safe and affordable homes when families can no longer provide for them.
Learn more about the history of Promise Community Homes by viewing the Promise Community Homes Memory Book or by contacting us at 314.567.1522 or e-mail Development@PromiseCommunityHomes.org for more details.
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Recent News

Promise Community Homes, formerly Rainbow Village, announces their 50th year of providing affordable homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The beginning of 2023 is a remarkable time for Promise Community Homes, formerly Rainbow Village. This year marks the 50th year the organization has provided safe and affordable neighborhood homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In 1973,

Promise Home in Ballwin Missouri named the John Allan Love House
Tuesday October 18th, 2022, Promise Community Homes board and staff honored the John Allan Love Charitable Foundation by naming a Promise Community Home in Ballwin, Missouri the “John Allan Love House.” For 27 years, the John Allan Love Foundation has

Spire grant pays for new water heaters in Promise homes
Promise Community Homes purchased and installed five new energy-efficient water heaters with a grant from natural gas utility Spire. Promise Community Homes is a housing nonprofit that provides 86 safe, affordable, and accessible neighborhood homes for adults with developmental disabilities

Promise Community Homes, formerly Rainbow Village, announces their 50th year of providing affordable homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The beginning of 2023 is a remarkable time for Promise Community Homes, formerly Rainbow Village. This year marks the 50th year the organization has provided safe and affordable neighborhood homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In 1973,

Promise Home in Ballwin Missouri named the John Allan Love House
Tuesday October 18th, 2022, Promise Community Homes board and staff honored the John Allan Love Charitable Foundation by naming a Promise Community Home in Ballwin, Missouri the “John Allan Love House.” For 27 years, the John Allan Love Foundation has

Spire grant pays for new water heaters in Promise homes
Promise Community Homes purchased and installed five new energy-efficient water heaters with a grant from natural gas utility Spire. Promise Community Homes is a housing nonprofit that provides 86 safe, affordable, and accessible neighborhood homes for adults with developmental disabilities
The 13th Annual ‘Chip in for the Promise of Home’ Golf Tournament set for September 27, 2022
Join Us The 13th Annual Chip In for the Promise of Home Golf Tournament is Tuesday, September 27th, 2022. Join us for a round of golf at the beautiful WingHaven Country Club. We invite work groups, friends, and community members