501(c)(3) nonprofit · Southern California

A beautiful place to call home.

We’re building a safe, family-style home in South Orange County or North San Diego County, where young women with Down syndrome and other special abilities can live with real independence and the right support around them.

Help build the home Read our story
  • EIN 88-2514296Tax-deductible 501(c)(3)
  • Candid Gold Seal of Transparency 2023Candid Gold
    Transparency 2023
Montana with her parents, Kimberly and Justin

Montana is our inspiration, and she will be our first resident.

6–10 years

The estimated wait for a group home in South Orange County, and it’s often longer.

“What happens when my adult child wants a home of their own?”

Almost every parent we speak with asks the same question. Many fear large government facilities, and as parents grow older, caring for an adult child with special needs at home only gets harder. Good options are far too few.

Montana’s Heart & Home exists to be part of the answer: one home first, and more to follow.

Montana smiling
Montana

From the heart of a mother

It started with Montana.

We are the parents of a young woman with Down syndrome. Montana is now 26, and she has always been our guiding light. We knew that one day she would want her own space, her own friends and her own privacy: a life a little more like everyone else’s.

We also knew that without the right support, that might never be possible. So we set out to build it: the least restrictive home we can create, with every support she needs to thrive.

That seed has grown into a mission. Montana will be our first resident, and our goal is to open more homes like it, so more families can say yes when their daughters ask for a place of their own.

Everyone deserves the freedom to decide where and how they live, with the right support to flourish. We strive to be the bridge to independence.

Our vision

Where your gift goes

The plan, in two phases

A white farmhouse with a picket fence
  1. Fundraising now

    Phase 1: Buy the house

    Every Phase 1 gift goes directly toward buying a house in South Orange County or North San Diego County, wherever the need is best met.

  2. Next: about 8–12 months

    Phase 2: Make it home

    We’ll turn the house into a beautiful, safe home with the least restrictive setting possible, inside and out. Once it meets every state requirement, we’ll interview families and welcome our first residents.

In their own words

Young women who are waiting for a home like this

“I want to have my own place and not be a burden on my family. I want to have a job and pay for my things. I do need someone who can support and guide me.”
Sage, 26, California
“I love my family, but I would like to have roommates my age that I can hang out and watch TV with.”
Sierra, 24, California
“Many of my friends moved into their own places after high school. I want to do the same, still be near my family, and decorate my own place.”
Jannie, 24, California

For families

Is your daughter hoping for a home like this?

Join our family interest list. It’s free, there’s no commitment, and it helps us plan the right home for the young women who need it.

  • We’ll keep you updated as the home comes together.
  • You’ll hear first when interviews for residents begin.
  • Your details stay private and are only used to contact you about the home.

Every family who joins also helps show donors and grant-makers how great the need is.

Joining the list doesn’t reserve a place or commit you to anything.

Life at home

Safe, seen and supported

A healthy balance of mind, body, spirit and heart: swimming, cooking, stretching classes and support groups, plus the everyday things that build confidence.

A girl hugging a chicken in a coop

Farm life & gardening

Caring for our feathered friends: feeding, watering, cleaning and collecting eggs.

Fresh vegetables and jars on a kitchen table

Cooking & nutrition

Basic cooking skills, kitchen safety and the fun, creative side of food.

A group of friends taking a selfie together

Social time

Time with friends to connect, talk and simply have fun together.

A young woman working on a laptop

Computer skills

Everyday computer skills and staying safe online, with guidelines and supervision.

Meet our team

The people behind the home

Kimberly Michaels-PicardKimberly Michaels‑PicardOn-site manager & founding memberRead bio

Montana’s Heart & Home has been Kimberly’s dream for many years. Being Montana’s mother has given her a wealth of first-hand knowledge, and her faith in God has been central to the journey.

Since 2016 she has owned and run Montana’s Heart, an apparel and gift brand whose heartbeat is bringing beautiful awareness to people with special abilities.

Justin PicardJustin PicardCEO & founding memberRead bio

Justin grew up in his family’s restaurant in Dover, New Hampshire, became an executive chef and traveled the world sharing his love of cooking. He brings that experience, and his love of teaching in the kitchen, to the home and its residents.

Stratton PalmerStratton PalmerBoard memberRead bio

Stratton found his calling at 12, volunteering as an assistant coach in the V.I.P. Soccer League for children with disabilities, and spent all four years at Dana Hills High School in the Best Buddies program.

He joined the Capistrano Unified School District in 2008, working with all ages at moderate to severe disability levels, then served as executive director of an adult special-needs day program in San Juan Capistrano before starting his own venture, The Happening OC. He leads the special-needs ministry at Mountain View Church.

Crystal BenyoTreasurerRead bio

Born in Southern California and one of four siblings, Crystal has been married to her high-school sweetheart for 44 years. She has owned and run many businesses, serving as bookkeeper and auditor for most of them and for other companies too. Her faith and her love for her family inspire us.

Paying it forward

Wear Montana’s Heart

Montana’s Heart is our apparel and gift brand, with the heartbeat of people with special abilities. Every piece shares Montana’s story, and how seeing life through her eyes has made our hearts bigger.

Part of every sale funds the foundation and spreads awareness. When you wear Montana’s Heart, you’re making a difference.

Visit the shop
A pink Montana's Heart sweatshirt that says happy

Be part of the dream

Help us open the doors.

There are so many important causes. If this one speaks to you, we’d be honored to have you with us. Every gift is tax-deductible (EIN 88-2514296).

Talk to us about giving

  • Monthly, quarterly or annual giving

    Steady gifts help us plan the purchase and the months of preparation after it.

  • Donor-advised funds

    Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund to EIN 88-2514296.

  • Start a fundraiser

    A birthday, a race, a church or school drive. We’ll help you set it up.

  • Volunteer

    Lend your time and skills as the home comes together.

Questions

What families and supporters ask us

Don’t see your question? Ask us directly.

Who is the home for?

Young women with Down syndrome and other special abilities who want more independence, their own space and friends their own age, with the right support around them. Montana, who is 26, will be our first resident.

Where will the home be?

In South Orange County or North San Diego County, California, wherever the need is best met. We’ll share the location once a property has been bought.

When will it open?

We’re fundraising now for Phase 1, buying the house. Phase 2 follows: making the home safe, meeting every state requirement and interviewing future residents, which takes about 8 to 12 months.

How will residents be chosen?

During Phase 2 we’ll begin an interview process with families. The best first step is to join our family interest list, so you hear as soon as interviews open.

What will daily life be like?

Family-style and full of life: cooking, gardening and caring for the chickens, time with friends, computer skills, swimming, stretching classes and support groups. The goal is the least restrictive setting possible, inside and outside the home.

What will it cost, and how will the home be staffed?

We’re finalizing licensing, staffing and costs as part of Phase 2, and we’ll share the details with families on the interest list first. If you have a specific question now, ask us.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. Montana’s Heart & Home Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 88-2514296. We also welcome grants from donor-advised funds.

How else can I help?

Give once or monthly, start a fundraiser, or volunteer your time and skills. You can also wear Montana’s Heart, since part of every sale supports the foundation. And please share our story.

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you

Whether you have a question, are looking for a home for your daughter or would like to help, we’re always glad to talk.

  • Mail
    33959 Doheny Park Rd, Suite #1006
    San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

We’ll reply by email as soon as we can.

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