Friends

After 50 years on W Johnson St, the Friends community has taken a giant step forward into a remodeled house in the Downtown neighborhood two blocks from the capitol and the E. Washington shopping district. The new house has two rooms available that are wheelchair accessible. As of early March 2023, construction of our snazzy wheelchair ramp and front porches are ongoing. We hope that by summer the house will be ready for obligate wheelchair users.

In the words of Bayard Rustin, a queer Quaker activist, and organizer of MLK Jr.’s March on Washington, Friends aspires to be “angelic troublemakers” in every way we can and to continue to put into practice our beliefs in the fundamental equality of humanity. Our cooperative community is further brought together by a radical sense of playfulness and inclusiveness. These values stretch all the way back to Friends' origin as a Quaker cooperative housing community. House members contribute a required 5 hours of their time each week for chores such as cooking, washing dishes, cleaning common spaces, paying bills, grocery shopping, serving as a house representative for various committees of Madison Community Cooperative, and many other jobs that go towards the upkeep and continuance of the household.

At full membership, Friends will consist of 10 adults of varying ages and backgrounds, along with their pets and dependents.  We currently offer 100% vegetarian and frequently 100% vegan house meals. We enjoy working together to find creative solutions to problems both in informal discussions and formal decisions made by consensus. We use consensus to make collective decisions with which all members are comfortable and heard. This pushes us to consider all of the possible effects and implications of our decisions, and to ensure that everyone’s ideas and concerns are understood and recognized.

To quote Mr. Rustin again, “We are all one. And if we don’t know it, we will learn it the hard way.”

For any questions or concerns contact: Friendsmembership@madisoncommunity.coop.

Pictures of our new house coming soon!!!!

Neighborhood:

Downtown

Is Parking Available?

Yes.

What kind of parking is available?

2 spaces

Are all house meals vegetarian?

Yes.

Vegetarian option at all meals?

Yes.

Vegan option at all meals?

Yes.

What other food options are available at some meals?

We accommodate any dietary preference, e.g. gluten-free.

Is meat allowed in the house?

Yes.

Are there any restrictions on meat in the house?

Members may purchase and prepare meat separately from house dinners.

Meals/Week:

TBD

Meals Cost:

$100/mo

Food Membership Allowed?

Yes

Meal Plan Participation:

Required. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.

Pets Allowed?

Yes.

Current Pet Situation:

1 cat

Pet Policy:

Only non-feline or canine pets that can be kept strictly in a members room. EXCEPTION: Service/support animals.