The Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI), Indiana University Health, and Ascension St. Vincent endorse the mission of Villa Licci.

In our continuing efforts to bring awareness to the mission and purpose of Villa Licci, our Executive Director, along with members of our board and other supporters have had meetings with various community organizations and businesses. Recent interactions with Indiana hospitals and rehabilitation centers have resulted in positive feedback and new endorsements. Please click the button below to read the most recent letter of endorsement from the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indiana University Health, and Ascension St. Vincent.

As word gets out about Villa Licci and people reach out to us with questions, we have compiled a list below with the most frequently asked questions (and answers!).  These are the ones that come in most often to our comment line.

1. When will Villa Licci open?

The current timeline has the groundbreaking ceremony planned for late 2025 with anticipated move in sometime in 2027

If you would like to help us make this dream a reality faster, please considering making a tax-deductible donation

2. How does a person get on the waitlist?

If you would like to be informed when Villa Licci is accepting applications for residency, please fill out the Contact Us form. In the “How can we help you?” box, please say you are interested in being notified when applications are available.  We will then send you an email with all the information once it is ready.

3. Is this for adults only? What is an adult?

This residence will be for adults only. An adult is anyone over the age of 18 who experienced a TBI after the age of 16.

4. How much will an apartment cost?

This has yet to be determined and will be based upon various factors.  There may be opportunities for government assistance, such as a TBI waiver, that could help offset rental costs.

The goal is to have the building itself paid in full so that we can offer a reduced monthly rent – affordable to most families.

5. Is Villa Licci in other states? Are there similar homes in other states?

To the best of our knowledge, Villa Licci will be the first of its kind in the United States.  While we have larger future plans to expand to other states, the current focus is on building the first residential community.  This residence will be located in Central Indiana.

6. Is Villa Licci a home for people with developmental disabilities or other cognitive issues (for example, Down syndrome, autism, and more)?

Villa Licci is a residence for adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This may include someone with an acquired brain injury, such as a stroke.

Currently, no other residential community in the country exists solely for those with traumatic brain injuries. People with a TBI differ from those with other developmental and cognitive disorders in that TBI is an acquired injury. Each TBI survivor was living their life a certain way and now they must live differently due to their injury. This creates a dramatic “before and after” to their lives, and many lament the loss of the life they once had, which now seems unattainable.

TBI survivors need to be connected to other survivors to share the uniqueness of their situation that others who haven’t had a TBI or who have different cognitive issues just cannot understand.

If you’ve been to one of our recent events or presentations, you’ve likely seen our new posters with the updated renderings and campus concepts.  Through discussion with survivors and their families, future residents of Villa Licci have offered valuable input on their needs and desires for their community.

The overall design of the campus is intended to foster community both amongst the residents and within the broader community.

Some key ways we hope to promote this community atmosphere are through the following:

The Gardens

Residents will grow some of their own food and work on their gardening skills.

The Pathway

During nicer weather, residents can walk or ride around the property.  This will help promote exercise, healthy living, and spending time with others.

The Community Center

This building will host community-wide events, both for residents and non-residents.  The wider TBI community will be able to attend support group meetings, events, exercise classes, and more with the residents.  In addition, this space will integrate with the local community, as it can be rented out for community meetings, wedding receptions, and more.

The Villa Shops

This is designed to house local businesses onsite, with the intention to offer job opportunities to our residents.  This also allows for Villa Licci to be connected to the local community in a unique way.

The Villas

Initially we will have the opportunity to build individual villas for those who can live a more independent life.  Each unit will have 4 one-bedroom apartments.  Each villa will have a shared patio area to promote community interaction and provide a peaceful outdoor space.  By building the villas first, this will allow us to have residents living on the property sooner.

The Main Residential Building

This building would have up to 50 small one-bedroom apartments.   It will have common spaces for games, entertainment, and potentially a community kitchen with meal service for the residents.  The property is large enough where we could expand to offer a second residence with another 50 apartments in the future.

Each of these concepts was carefully evaluated for its value to the Villa Licci residents and the overall community. As Villa Licci is the first of its kind in the nation, it is our hope it will be a model for other residences in other states to serve even more adult survivors living with TBIs.

None of this will be possible without your generous support.  Though we are off to a great start, we still need your help.  Please click the button below for more information for how to join our mission.

Villa Licci is excited to introduce Joe Reitz and family as our official spokespeople.  Read more about Joe, his family, and why Villa Licci is important to them here.

Like many others this time of year, a group of over 100 TBI survivors and their families recently gathered for a festive Christmas party.

There was food, of course, a meal for everyone to enjoy together.  In addition, everyone had the chance to help create dessert as they had fun decorating Christmas cookies.

Various forms of entertainment included a caricaturist, a photo booth, and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  There was even a DJ playing festive and fun music throughout the evening.

Perhaps the most fun was had out on the dance floor, just enjoying being with each other.  The Macarena was one of the biggest hits of the night. Those who were able even helped take those in wheelchairs out for a musical spin so all could participate, regardless of mobility needs.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening of friends, food, and fun.  We know many survivors are eagerly anticipating the day when they will be living closer together in the Villi Licci community so more spontaneous dance parties and get-togethers will be possible.

Having fun decorating cookies.

Stephanie spends time with Santa.

My accident occurred in the fall of 2000.  I was an apprentice for a brick laying company and fell from scaffolding 10 ft. onto a concrete pad.  I acquired a traumatic brain injury along with other minor injuries.  It has been a long, difficult recovery to my new normal.  I was engaged and working toward a job that I really enjoyed.  Now I must face my new life and struggles.  Here are some of the things I struggle with.

The greatest difficulties that arise to me are time management, staying on track and keeping focused. I’m sure there are literally dozens if not hundreds of flaws that could be pointed out in me, but I was writing about the flaws that other survivors might have experienced, and I can just about guarantee every TBI survivor has experienced at least two of the three of these.

Time management is not a tough one to fix.  It is a pain, but it isn’t impossible.  All you need is an annoying alarm or a nagging loved one (alarm preferred) and you’re ready to go.  Set it to go off early to give yourself extra time, if you’re slow.  Always mind it and try to be Johnny or Jenny-on-the-spot.

Next, staying on track.  Some non-brain injured people have problems with this one.  Take for example The National Monument of Scotland. It was meant for those who died in the war against Napoleon in the century of 1900. Ground broke in 1826 to commemorate the brave Scotsmen who bled and died fighting Napoleon.  As funds started to trickle out so did the pride and patriotism of the countrymen.  They didn’t have the money at the time to finish it.  Instead of finishing it later, they just left it.  It sits unfinished to this day.  Had they stayed on track, instead of a monument known as an epic failure it would have been a monument of pride for the Scotsmen from the beginning.

Keeping your focus can be difficult when you have a TBI. Sometimes my TBI makes it seem like I have a hundred different things running through my brain.  I’m using all my might just to hold onto that singular thought.  As a cruel joke, someone has switched that thought and put a stupid water balloon in its place and now I’m left with a confused look on my face, a wet shirt, and not even the remnants of a water balloon because it was just a metaphor.

We’d like to thank Robb for taking the time to write out in his own words what it is like to be a TBI survivor and some of the long-term effects he deals with every day.

There are five steps to becoming a resident of Villa Licci.

1. Initial Inquiry

Someone reaches out through our website, social media, local support groups, or various other means to inquire about becoming a resident. Or someone is referred to us from the local TBI community and requests more information.

2. Written Application

Each potential resident fills out an extensive application sharing basic information and including all relevant medical information about their TBI and how they manage their daily tasks.  This application will be sent out after the initial inquiry.

3. Application Review

The resident assessment committee reviews all applications to determine if Villa Licci is the appropriate residence for the applicant. This part of the process includes interviewing the applicant, their current caregivers and case managers, and potentially their employers and medical providers.

4. Probationary Period

All approved applicants must complete a mandatory probationary period of at least ninety (90) days during which adherence to community standards will be evaluated. Throughout this time, they will be able to participate in all community activities and events, essentially living with all the benefits of a full resident.

5. Permanent Residency

Once a resident has passed the probationary period, he/she will still be expected to adhere to community standards.  At this point, a resident could be dismissed only for significant reasons, including violent behavior, harassment of other residents, use/abuse of illegal substances, or engaging in criminal activity. Residents who are at risk of being dismissed will be notified of the behavior or activity that is placing them at risk and a course of action will be created to fix the problem. However, safety of all residents is a priority, so dismissal may be necessary to maintain the well-being of the overall community.

Once the first residential building is complete and we are ready to accept applications, we will notify our newsletter subscribers and anyone who has requested more information.

Sign Up for our Newsletter     Join the Resident Inquiry Waitlist

The family-like environment at Villa Licci will be designed to include shared common spaces and provide planned social opportunities.  This is intended to nurture friendships which contribute to an overall sense of belonging and well-being for all residents. Villa Licci will be a pioneer in providing TBI survivors with a residential setting in which they can find and form a sense of community and belonging.

Phase I

The first phase of this project was to identify and acquire property that would meet the planned development needs. In April 2021, a 13-acre property located in central Indiana was purchased. Funded by a group of parents of TBI survivors, this completed the initial phase.

Phase II

The next phase of this project begins with the selection of the site development partners for architecture, engineering, and construction. It will conclude with the completion of the initial community residence.  This residence will feature the first residential building which contains one- and two-bedroom apartments.  In addition, a gathering room, common space, and a chapel are in the plans. Around the community, there will be walking paths, gardens, recreation spaces, and a pond, encouraging residents to partake in outdoor and physical activities.

Apartments are intended to be equipped with various private living features such as a kitchen, laundry facilities, a living room, and an outdoor space. Because of the vast spectrum of TBI-related disabilities, each unit will be outfitted to best suit both the abilities of the survivors and the challenges they face.  This will include wheelchair accessible rooms and easily maneuverable spaces. We are currently in the beginning stages of this phase.

Phases III and IV

These future phases will consist of expanding the community by erecting a second residential building, adding a community center, and enhancing the landscaping for the residents to enjoy. The timeline for these phases is to be determined.

Over the next five years, Villa Licci will continue its capital campaign, break ground, and begin construction on its first residence. The target move-in date for the first residents is 2027. Would you please consider contributing towards this capital campaign and ensuring these TBI survivors have a community to belong to?

Donate to Villa Licci