why ohana communities exists
In 2023, our founders visited Edwards Place in Oregon, a small community where adults with developmental disabilities and their parents live in a community where neighbors know them, understand them, and they look out for one another.
What stayed with us was the trust.
Neighbors knew one another. They understood each person’s needs, respected their independence, and shared responsibility for creating a safe, connected community.
When we returned to Utah, we kept asking the same question:
Why doesn’t this exist here in Utah?
Ohana Communities was created to help make sure it does.
Ohana is a Hawaiian concept of family that extends beyond blood relationships. It reflects the idea that people can choose to care for one another, belong to one another, and share responsibility for one another’s well-being.
That idea is at the heart of Ohana Communities.
What does ‘Ohana’ mean?
creating communities of ohana
Ohana Communities is designed as a small, close-knit neighborhood of cottage homes, group residences, and shared gathering spaces where adults with developmental disabilities can live with greater independence while remaining connected to people who know and care about them.
The goal is not to create an isolated campus. It is to create a neighborhood that feels like home—integrated into the surrounding community and built around connection, belonging, and mutual support.
Leadership & Governance
Ohana Communities is led by a volunteer board and executive leadership team with experience in developmental disability services, education, finance, business, law, and real estate development.
Together, we are working to build a sustainable organization capable of turning the Ohana vision into a lasting community for Utah families.
Allen Cress
Board President
Allen serves as Executive Leader of Edwards Center, the organization behind Edwards Place—the Oregon community that helped inspire the Ohana Communities model.
Since 2014, Allen has devoted his career to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Before joining Edwards Center, he spent more than 20 years as a paramedic and EMS administrator.
His direct experience leading the organization that operates Edwards Place gives Ohana Communities valuable insight into what it takes to build and sustain a community where independence, support, and belonging can thrive.
Mara Urie
Co-Founder, Board Vice President
Mara’s connection to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities began when she was a child and formed close friendships with neighbors who had disabilities. Those early relationships helped shape a career devoted to helping children and families.
She spent more than a decade working in special education, later earned a master’s degree, and worked as a school psychologist, including at the Kauri Sue Hamilton School in Jordan School District.
Through that work, Mara saw firsthand one of the questions many parents carry for years: What will happen to my child when I’m no longer able to care for them?
That experience is a major reason she helped create Ohana Communities—a place designed to offer greater independence, belonging, and long-term peace of mind for families.
Greg Free
Board Treasurer
Greg brings experience in finance, technology, strategic planning, and organizational management to Ohana Communities.
He holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois and has more than a decade of experience leading initiatives in budgeting, financial controls, operational efficiency, and enterprise transformation.
As Board Treasurer, Greg helps Ohana Communities strengthen its financial planning, accountability, and long-term sustainability as the organization moves from vision to development.
Thom “tad” Urie
Co-Founder, Executive Leader
An early and lasting influence on Thom came from a close friend’s brother, Chris, who had Down syndrome. Chris was never treated as a second-class member of the family—he was deeply loved and brought tremendous joy to those around him.
Thom later earned degrees in finance and law and built a career spanning more than 25 years in residential real estate development, land acquisition, and entitlements.
As Executive Leader of Ohana Communities, Thom brings that development experience together with a deeply personal belief that adults with developmental disabilities deserve communities built around dignity, connection, and greater independence.
His focus is turning the Ohana vision into a real, sustainable community in Utah.
Help Us Build the First Ohana Community in Utah
Ohana Communities began with a simple question: Why doesn’t this exist here?
Now we’re working to make sure it does.
Your support can help create a community where adults with developmental disabilities can experience greater independence, connection, and belonging—and where families can look toward the future with greater confidence.
Help us turn the vision into a real community.