Partners & Sponsors
We would like to thank the following organizations for their continued support and look forward to long relationships!
Love Grows Here
Welcome to Our Farmstead
Rooted in nature’s ability to nourish and regenerate, Alora Farm is a farmstead wellness haven for autist teens and adults to live and work as part of a thriving community. Through purposeful participation, the farm fosters a safe environment for self-discovery, learning and personal development by teaching vocational, artistic and life skills that can be applied on and off the farm.
Every individual plays an integral role in maintaining the welfare of the farm, from tending and harvesting crops to the care and raising of livestock, as they nourish themselves and the planet.
An innovative and soulful alternative to the current day activity center and group home, Alora Farm is a model for sustainable and dignified living and employment for autists, enriching their lives with love, acceptance and the healing powers of Mother Earth.
Yvette Bonilla-Leach, Founder & CEO, Alora Farm
Hi! I am Yvette and I have a neurovariant mind (AuDHD). As the mother of a beautiful autist son, the concept for Alora Farm came to me when I thought about his future and what his life would look like after I was gone. Like other parents and caregivers of Autists, we want to ensure our loved ones are safe, cared for and loved – and that they have an opportunity to fulfill their own sense of purpose.
Alora began as an idea to alleviate the loneliness that affects Autist community members. An alternative to today’s group home, Alora is built on a self-sustaining model that leads to autonomy when it is time to live away from loved ones or caretakers.
Alora wishes to be a secular place for Autists’ voices to be heard and their needs to be met, to gently support their process of unmasking and, subsequently, self-identifying. When they are ready, we provide access to the opportunities they’ll require to continue their growth.
This initiative is my life’s devotion, however, Alora is not about me. Alora Farm is completely about Autists and other Neurovariant individuals. We aim to have a future Board of Directors that is more than 51% Neurovariant-led and intersectionality diverse. My vision is that Alora will integrate into local communities, run autonomously, and will provide a safe haven in which every person and sentient being feels safe enough to support one another to live consciously.
I live on a small Texas Hill Country homestead with my husband and son (both named Keith*), two dogs, three barn cats, goats, and lots of chickens. I love to spend my days gardening, dancing, taking webinars and educating myself about multiple subjects to build Alora. My interests are vast and include music, art, quantum physics, philosophy, psychology and esoteric studies. I am eager to take my background in finance, client and team relationship building & management into the world of Social Impact Entrepreneurship as the Founder of Alora Farm.
*Keith (my son) has given his consent for me to give you his ASD and ADHD diagnoses.
Nurturing Our Natural Ways of Being
We believe everyone deserves to live with a sense of purpose and fulfillment in an environment that feels like home to their soul. At Alora, we’re building a sanctuary where enrichment comes from fostering our talents and skills and giving back to the world.
Through meaningful activities that both heal the earth and ourselves, and provide for the community in which we live and thrive, we nurture a deep sense of peace and purpose. Surrounded by the serenity of the Texas wilderness, the natural rhythms and therapeutic powers of nature are integrated into daily life on the farm and create a low-stimulation environment where our Stewards can emerge, flow and thrive.
Regenerative Farming
Regenerative farming is a system of principles and practices that serve to rehabilitate and enhance the ecosystem by restoring soil health using climate-smart methods. Alora Farm will use this method to support the vision of improving the land and its valuable resources. We are dedicated to instilling a sense of purpose for our Stewards. Helping fight the climate crisis is a wonderful way to do work that is fulfilling and changes the planet for the better.
CREATING COMMUNITY
Living in community offers a path to vitality and autonomy. We understand that many autists feel the trauma of being micromanaged their entire life and desire living in an environment that is built with their needs in mind. Alora is a low-stimulation, low-pressure environment. We’re creating a community that is built for you.
Our Stewards’ needs are taken into account in every single way. From job and life skills training, employment opportunities, wellness and creative expression, we’re building a community for individuals who live on our land, as well as a welcoming community for individuals from other residential environments. Here, our community members are invited to live an expansive, fulfilled life. At Alora, every member is accepted and celebrated exactly as they are.
Alora is based entirely around you – where your needs are met and you are fully seen.
All autist teens and adults are welcome at the farm. Free from the micro-management, over-stimulation and pressures of life in today’s society, the farm is a place that fosters the discovery of every Steward and the gifts they have to share with the world. A sanctuary where full human potential is nurtured through meaningful work, personalized living, a healthy habitat and genuine relationships, this community is for us.
Are You Looking to Feel Understood?
It’s difficult to feel heard and seen in a world that doesn’t fully understand the inner world of an autist. We get it. The purpose of Alora Farm is to help neurodivergent individuals intuitively develop and consciously connect to personal development – in a way that makes sense and is comfortable. Here, each member can socialize as much (or as little) as they prefer, in an environment that is built to meet their specific needs. At Alora Farm, rest assured that your loved one is in a safe place, is wanted and belongs.
Do You Care About A Neurodivergent Person?
As a family member of a loved one with an autistic mind, you might feel anxiety when you consider the future of your loved one after you are gone. You know how important it is for them to be surrounded by like-minded spirits and friends, and to live in a community that not only understands them, but cares about them too.
At Alora, we understand the challenges that autists feel in ‘masking’ themselves. Masking, the tendency to suppress a natural response in favor of alternatives that are perceived as more socially acceptable, encompasses a range of behaviors. These might include making eye contact despite feeling uncomfortable doing so, limiting body movements even if they are self-regulating, or avoiding certain discussions for fear of judgment. Often, these traits are seen as symptoms to be “cured” rather than understood or accepted.
For many Autists, these masking behaviors oftentimes reinforce a disjointed identity, making it difficult to express their authentic selves. We are sensitive to the needs of every individual, and we are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is supportive. Here, acceptance, understanding and meeting one’s own needs and regulation is consistently woven into our every day.
Alora Farm provides a safe environment for them to be exactly who they are, while cultivating real life skills that will help them feel a sense of connection and purpose.
Why Alora?
Alora is the future of alternative therapy and the traditional group home model. Our community addresses the common feelings of loneliness, isolation and dissociation felt by many autists.
Alora provides family members with reassurance that their loved one will live and participate in an environment that is safe, comfortable and instills a sense of connection and purpose.
Alora Farm was created to gently support autists’ process of unmasking and, subsequently, self-identifying, in a way that feels comfortable, safe and filled with ease. At a pace that works for them, the Alora community is there every step of the way to provide them with opportunities that will help them grow. We provide a path to vitality where each individual is an active participant in their own life and rewarded with a space in which they can authentically express themselves.
Here, inclusion is everything. We encourage fostering healthy relationships and ensuring every individual feels a sense of belonging and freedom of expression. By alleviating loneliness and providing the opportunity to give back to the world in a meaningful way, we aim to change the way autists engage with the world around them.
Testimonial
Sustainable Living that Heals & Grows
A safe and modern farming and wellness center tucked into the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Alora is a place for autists to discover themselves and the world around them. A welcome substitute for the current group home and daytime activity models, we’ve built a holistic and sustainable rural sanctuary with the vision of fostering a sense of purpose for all who call it home. Through farming, harvesting, art and life skills courses, our model includes a robust variety of programs to serve each individual’s passions and needs, and inspires personal development and breakthroughs.
Our ProGrams
Our programs emphasize responsible farming and the use of green energy and sustainable practices in order to nurture the land our farm community lives and relies upon. At Alora, we honor every individual's desire and right to sovereignty, and always advocate for autonomy over their body and decisions.
Land & Animal Stewardship
Connection to the natural wonders of the world is incredibly healing. Alora Farm is a place for our Stewards to work together with their neurotypical peers to heal our earth and develop their own sense of skill and purpose. Strolling through pollinator-friendly gardens, learning about herbalism and harvesting nutrient-dense foods with our local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program are just a few ways to cultivate a deeper connection to the land. Raising and nurturing the farm’s livestock provides Stewards with the healing powers and therapeutic touch of animals.
Work & Learning Programs
We advocate for the lifelong success and autonomy of our Stewards. Through purposeful training, we guide our Stewards through the development of skills – in a low-stimulation, low-pressure, non-productivity focused environment – that are applicable both on and off the farm.
Healing & Holistic Wellness
Alora is dedicated to hosting wellness and art activities to support the healing journeys of our Stewards. Ranging from music to goat yoga to ceramics, art and social events, we provide opportunities for our Stewards to connect, expand, create and express themselves.
LIVING (PHASE 2)
Alora is a holistic, sustainable approach to living. In a safe, comfortable environment, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature and a community that sees and understands autists, the opportunity to blossom becomes reality. Our residences will be planned as micro-communities that share a permaculture garden and operate efficiently using green energy. Here, life is filled with vitality, color, music, art and nature. Our residents will live in tiny homes to call their own, fostering a sense of independence, support and community. Events, programs, work, classes and activities are curated daily to develop a strong sense of togetherness for all Stewards. Partnership and teamwork are essential values that the success and longevity of our farm and community rely upon. It’s from this place of stability that our community can thrive by caring for the animals, the land and their fellow Stewards. Alora approaches healing and living cyclically, tapping into the natural rhythms of humans and community, bringing awareness to our role in the world around us.
How You Can Help
We have created a strong foundation for Alora Farm and we need your help to make this dream a reality! We are looking to secure a minimum of 50 acres so that we will have ample space to build and continue to expand our facilities to accommodate our growing community. We envision the next 5 years as a period of growth on the land; our goal is to have 15 tiny homes with 30 individuals living at Alora by 2025. Alora Farm has met all local legal requirements. We are 501(c)(3) approved and your donation can be tax-deductible. Any donation, both large and small, will help us bring this vision to life. Please support our mission and become a part of this supportive community in helping autists live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Your support will help us provide scholarships so that Alora’s services will be available to anyone regardless of their financial status. Every dollar counts! If you’d like to learn more about us, please sign up to receive updates.
Alora farm board of directors
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and accomplished board with a wide range of expertise, and we’re continuously seeking individuals who will help shape the future of Alora Farm. To support the vision and mission of our organization, we believe it’s important that neurodiversity is represented on our board.
Every day, we’re contacted by good people and are touched by the interest, hard work and enthusiasm from individuals who are interested in lending their expertise, skills, money and support to help Alora Farms come to life. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about joining our Dream Team.
Board Members
Scott Maderer
Treasurer/Director
Scott Maderer has a Neurovariant mind. He is the Founder of Inspired Stewardship, a business dedicated to helping Christian men and couples fulfill their calling. Scott and his wife, Carrie, are passionate about assisting others in aligning how they use their time, talent, and treasures to live an entirely authentic and meaningful life.
Christopher Matas, B.S. Ed.
Secretary/Director
Christopher Matas is a SPED Life Skills Teacher at Bandera High School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and a neurodivergent mind that fuels his passion for teaching.
When Christopher is not in the classroom, he loves to spend time outdoors, enjoying activities like boating, jet skiing, and exploring nature. Being in nature helps him maintain focus and balance, which he brings into his teaching philosophy.
Chris firmly believes that every student has the potential to succeed and strives to create a supportive and inclusive environment where his students can thrive, and he finds great joy in seeing them grow both in and out of the classroom.
Advisory Board
Aida Minnick, R.N.
Aida is a registered nurse with a 22-year career. She spent eighteen of those working in hospitals. The last four years of her career have been as a Wesley Nurse for Bandera County. Her holistic approach to patient care ensures that their physical, mental, and spiritual needs are met. Her practice emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Aida understands the neurodivergent mind. She is an Autist and raised several children with varying degrees of support needs on the autism spectrum. She has seven grandchildren, five children ranging from 17-37, two dogs, and a horse.
Kathleen Day-Gomez
IG @kathleen.day.official
Kathleen is Editor-in-Chief of Pepper Magazine and mother to an autist son. She brings various experiences from professions across diverse industries: author, businesswoman, professional model, actress, multidisciplinary artist, and Intuitive Life Coach. Born with a neurodivergent mind (Autist/A.D.H.D.), she has chosen to lend her expertise and voice to Alora’s vision and mission.
Program coordinator
Kathlene Sheets
Kathlene is a neurodivergent garden educator with a background in trauma informed practices, art, music, movement, and theater. She has served children from pre-K to 12th grade as a teacher or care provider. Kathlene currently works for Gardopia Gardens as a gardener, educator, and volunteer facilitator. She has many interests including gardening, singing, playing guitar, painting, and writing in various forms.
Volunteer
Donations are vital to the future of this project, as are in-kind donations and volunteerism. We invite business owners, artists, professionals, graphic artists and social media content creators to contact us. Please reach out if you have experience with the following:
- autism advocacy
- regenerative agriculture and planning
- animals and livestock
- community planning
- engineering
- grant writing and fundraising
- wellness (i.e.., art therapy, sound therapy, yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, drumming)
Sponsorships & Partnerships
Our community is growing and we’re looking to build partnerships within the Medina Lake community and beyond. If you’re a local business and would like to host a fundraising event on behalf of Alora Farm, please contact us!
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Follow our journey as we build a sanctuary farm in the texas hill country.