In 2026, John Thvedt will retire from Shared Wellness, and Christine Martin will step aside to take on a new role—closing one chapter of leadership and opening space for the next generation. Together, they spent over two decades building a system of supports serving people with ID/A that reflects the values of respect, inclusion, and innovation. Their final project—the Shared Wellness Center—is the culmination of that work and a lasting legacy to the people they served, the professionals they led, and the values they held.
The Beginning: Partnership with Purpose
John Thvedt and Christine Martin, along with Ken Gibat, founded Shared Support Concepts in 2000 with a vision to create community-based services that prioritize dignity, connection, and clinical integrity. Thvedt brought decades of experience in psychology, specializing in trauma, dual diagnosis, and behavior supports. Martin, with a background in program operations and leadership, designed and built the structures that brought those ideas into everyday practice.
Their professional collaboration and personal partnership created a unique balance: Thvedt developed clinical frameworks rooted in evidence and relationship, while Martin transformed those ideas into scalable, people-first programs.
In 2005, the organization became Shared Support, Inc., and in 2019, expanded with Shared Wellness, reinforcing their belief that community-based care should be accessible, responsive, and individualized.
Innovating Community-Based Support
Under their leadership, Shared Support became known for its commitment to individualized, trauma-informed services, including:
● Lifesharing: creating family living environments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
● Services for people with complex needs: customized supports for individuals with dual diagnoses or high behavioral support needs.
● Wellness-based programming: integrating emotional regulation, clinical supports, and environmental design to improve quality of life and engagement.
They led trainings, presented at state conferences, and influenced policy and practice across systems—always advocating for person-centered, relationship-driven support.
The Shared Wellness Center: A Living Legacy
The Shared Wellness Center was built on the foundational belief that healing happens not only through services, but also through environment, relationships, and inclusion. The Center offers a wide range of wellness-focused services—such as yoga, sound healing, nutrition education, trauma-informed therapy, and expressive arts—delivered in a calm, thoughtfully designed space.
Beyond services, the Center is grounded in a firm commitment to accessibility: wellness should not be a luxury. That means ensuring that supports are available to people across all ability levels and financial situations, with low-cost and free community classes, inclusive program design, and barrier-free entry points. The Shared Wellness Center was built to reflect the idea that everyone deserves access to peace, regulation, and care—regardless of diagnosis, income, or background.
A Culture That Will Endure
Even as Thvedt retires and Martin transitions to a new role, what remains is more than a collection of programs. What they built is a culture—one where:
● People are seen for their strengths and gifts.
● Support is consistent, meaningful, and personalized.
● Wellness is integrated, not added on.
● Love leads—not in sentiment, but in design, leadership, and action.
To learn more about the organization and community that John Thvedt and Christine Martin built together, visit Shared Wellness.
