Living at Beaver Creek Housing Co-operative is like living in a small town, a close knit community where everyone comes to know and care about their neighbours. And, like in many small towns, when people share their unique gifts, we experience the very essence of co-operative living: involvement, cooperation, working together to create a better whole.

This takes on various forms as members contribute in different ways.

• We all pay the agreed housing charges, to meet present and future operating costs.
• We attend and participate in general members' meetings where we make informed decisions that shape the co-op.
• We contribute our skills through different ways, such as participating on committees, during work days, and through other forms of labour that keep our community maintained and running smoothly.
• We also contribute our time, knowledge, and creativity, drawing on our strengths to help one another.
• At times we find ourselves or our neighbours in need, and so we ask for help or give help in times of need (both in big things or small things).
• We share our resources when asked, if possible.

All of the above means that members have the opportunity to develop new life skills through their involvement. Mentoring is a natural process in co-operative living, and everyone has the chance to learn new skills that they can continue to use throughout their lives.

Living in a co-operative means that you desire to offer your unique gifts to a diverse community and to co-operate with others living around you. Making the decision to live in a co-operative requires careful consideration.  Does the idea of contributing to the life of your community excite you? Do you feel comfortable learning new things?  Are you willing to make the time to participate? Are you willing to make decisions based on the greater good of the community? Living co-operatively requires you to find a balance between your personal life and community life, and each member finds their own individual balance. Participation in the community leads to a sense of ownership and safety that is hard to find in the wider community.