Like many parents, Durham father Dave Curro, 69, has worried about the future wellbeing of his son, especially because his son has a developmental disability. Now, Curro is one step closer to realizing a dream formed four years ago—creating a community for adults with special needs.
In March, Curro bought five acres near the intersection of Carver Street and Guess Road for the community known as Forest Grove, where he hopes to have 20 tiny homes. On Saturday, he continued his fundraising campaign with a lively festival that attracted more than 800 people.
“I’m old… which makes this [project] more important,” Curro said.
The Forest Grove Festival was organized by Curro’s non-profit, the Midtown Housing Coalition (MHC), and featured live music, more than 50 vendors, a kids zone, a petting zoo, local food, and representatives from the Durham Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities. All proceeds went toward Forest Grove.
Curro’s son, Bret, 39, is the inspiration for the project. Bret, who has a developmental disability, works at a local hotel and lives in his own apartment, yet craves a living environment with a stronger sense of community.
“I’m excited to have my own place,” he said.
In addition to the tiny homes, the project plans include a community center with a catering kitchen, meeting space and multi-purpose room.
“I don’t want to restrict it to anything specific,” Dave Curro explained. “The people that live [in Forest Grove] are going to dictate what happens in the community center, not others.”
Curro said possible uses include a sports watchparty, dance lessons and cooking classes.
Sandy Johnson, an MHC board member and mom of another hopeful resident, said her son Brandon would benefit from those community programs.
“This is why I’m doing this, for him. He’ll thrive, have friends and have a community”.
When The 9th Street Journal spoke with Curro in 2024, he said MHC intended to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity for the project. Curro says MHC opted to work with a private builder instead, which will enable the non-profit to maintain ownership of the property.
Curro said MHC spent $800,000 to buy the land and hopes to raise a total of $3.8 million to complete the project. He has a lofty goal of beginning construction in six months, and finishing the site in two years.
At the festival Saturday, a Durham mother brought her two young children who are on the autism spectrum. Liz, who did not wish to give her last name, expressed her gratitude for parents who are already addressing an issue that she may face in the future.
“They are filling a market gap that doesn’t exist,” she said. “This means the world to us.”
Photo at top: A model of the Forest Grove community. Photo by Mélia Lemoine – The 9th Street Journal
Mélia Lemoine
