Flawless Farms Grows Real Hope:

Kristina Cope's Vision for Supporting Profound Needs

September 12, 2025

What do families do when every call for help is desperate, every door seems to slam shut, and the only thing longer than the waitlist is the list of hoops to jump through - especially when their loved one with profound autism needs support now?

In this episode of Finding Common Ground, we sit down with Kristina Cope - Michigan mom of three on the spectrum, RN, and founder of Flawless Farms. She’s on a mission to create an intentional community that welcomes families with profound needs instead of shutting them out.

Kristina opens up about the hidden realities of her family's journey: years of frequent moves, bankruptcy, a repossessed car, and even “imposing poverty” just to qualify for Medicaid so her twins could access care. Then came her darkest chapter - losing her husband to suicide in 2015. With three children who still needed her, Kristina had no choice but to keep going. Out of that pain, she is building something extraordinary.

Together we explore housing deserts, “boarding” in hospitals, transportation gaps, and the growing crisis of catatonia. Kristina’s vision is clear: bring people together, secure land, build the first home, and create a model of community life where meaningful work, recreation, healthcare, and belonging are part of every day. If you’ve ever thought, “someone should build this,” this conversation will show you how to start - right where you are.

Quotes that stay with you:

Kristina captures the urgency of the housing crisis when she says, “We could have a Benjamin’s Hope in every county and every state - and it would not be enough.”

Steve reminds us that solutions won’t come from waiting on the system: “The cavalry is coming - it’s us.”

And Kristina doesn’t shy away from the hard truth how sometimes: “The model of inclusion then excludes them.”

This episode is raw, inspiring, and practical. If you need hope and a path forward, you won’t want to miss it.

👉 Support the show by subscribing on your favorite podcast app, leaving a review, sharing it with a friend, and subscribing on YouTube. Every click helps other families find the solutions they’ve been searching for. Learn more and connect with us at www.fcgadvocacy.org and explore Kristina’s work at www.flawlessfarmsmi.com.