Big Wave Center opens near Half Moon Bay Airport

“It’s a combination of excitement and relief,” Shenkman said. “It’s been 27 years in the making, so we had a lot of time to think about it and get ready for it, and at the same time, we can’t believe it’s here.” 

The center has a mix of 38 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and will be home to 40 residents, who will be able to decide what onsite programs in which to participate, including job training, a culinary academy and fitness and recreation, among others. 

The idea for the project came to founder Jeff Peck when his daughter, who has special needs, was 11. Now, she’s 37, and Peck is finally seeing his goal of creating a space where his child can have a purposeful future come to fruition. 

“For most parents, the most important thing in your life are the children. When you have a child who is special needs, you have to give that much more,” he said. 

The project, which was originally set to break ground in 2020 but faced pandemic-induced issues, has been a labor of love for many other parents of adult children with disabilities. Many of these parents, seeking a sense of community and purpose for their children, have invested their own time, resources and skills into making the Big Wave Center a reality. 

“The school system provides for these individuals all the way through high school, but when they reach 22, it’s like they fall off a cliff. They lose access to their services,” Shenkman said. “They lose access to their community, to their friends.” 

Big Wave is attempting to offer a solution to that growing issue, Shenkman said. It currently operates on an entirely private model, funding the venture with donations and buy-in from parents, who are also helping to contribute to 20% of units designated for those under a certain income level.

Shenkman and the leadership at Big Wave are hopeful that success could make it a model across the county and nation to offer adults with disabilities full, fulfilling lives.

“There’s far too few housing opportunities and far too few programs for them to spend their days with purpose,” she said. “We hope that many sites like this will be built.” 

Peck, who is focused on ensuring the project’s operations are a success, said they would be happy to help others who are interested in replicating what Big Wave is offering. 

“We think we have the right model here, and anybody who wants to do it — give us a call,” he said.