NEWS

Davidson resident Heidi Karant

​While moving her daughter to Austin, Texas a year ago, Davidson resident Heidi Karant had an epiphany. It began during a stop at a vocational community called BiG (Brookwood in Georgetown). That’s where things began to click into place for the pediatric occupational therapist.[/caption]

“That short visit gave me a clear picture of what was possible and made me think, ‘This is exactly what Lake Norman needs,’ ” remembers Karant, who recently founded 210 Collective, a nonprofit vocational community in Davidson.

“For years I had noticed the gap that exists after high school for individuals with disabilities, when school services end and opportunities fade.”

210 Collective’s goal is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through meaningful work, creative enterprise, and authentic community. The name 210 Collective comes from Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

“The word Collective reminds us that we’re better together,” explains Karant, adding that participants are referred to as Citizens. “This is more than just a program; it’s a community where each person has value, purpose, and belonging. Being a Citizen means having both responsibility and dignity within the life we’re building together.”

Four days a week, adults gather at Davidson’s Storyhill Church to create handcrafted goods, such as soaps and jewelry, while discovering their creativity and purpose. Local businesses, including KF Studios, plan to carry Citizen-made products, and 210 Collective will be present at many community events, such as art festivals, farmers markets, and Christmas in Davidson.

The program is built on the values of dignity, contribution, and belonging. It not only provides vocational opportunities but also fosters friendships among Citizens and strengthens connections between families of adults with special needs, who are often isolated from one another. By offering a place where Citizens are known, needed, and celebrated, 210 Collective seeks to shift the way the broader community views adults with disabilities.

As of its opening this month, 210 Collective has eight Citizens with the capacity to add another four after a few months. Current Citizens are in their 20s and 30s, and the model is designed to accommodate any adult who wants to be part of the community.

“In the future, we hope to expand to welcome more Citizens across all ages and abilities, launch additional product lines, and open a storefront where the whole Lake Norman community can shop and connect,” says Karant.

“Long-term, I’d love for Davidson to become known as a place where people of all abilities work, create, and belong together.”

For more information, visit the website.