Heartbeet Lifesharing is a Camphill community in northern Vermont that includes adults with developmental disabilities, interweaving the social and agricultural realms for healing and renewal. Community members live and work together, in extended family households, forming a mutually supportive environment that enables each individual to discover and develop his or her unique abilities and potential.  Adults with disabilities in this community are known as "friends".

Located in Hardwick, Vermont on a 150 acre organic farm, Heartbeet is a licensed Therapeutic Community Residence recognized by the State of Vermont and has recently been incorporated into the Camphill Association of communities.  At Heartbeet everyone, regardless of ability, can find meaning, dignity, and delight in life. Longterm volunteers, adults with special needs, and volunteers who come for a year of service work, learn and play together, celebrating the joys and challenges of life.

My daughter Ashley worked for two years at Heartbeet as an Americore Volunteer.  In the summer of 2013, Ashley and I collaborated with the Heartbeet community on a photographic project.  Ashley taught a series of photography workshops to a group of "friends", and I spent a week in residence working with Ashley and the "friends" on their photography, and photographing the Heartbeet community.  The following two videos were created from this collaboration.  The first video is a slide show illustrating life in this community, and the second is a slide show of the "friends" photography.