Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) celebrated their 65th anniversary in Southwest Florida in March with a campaign to support an innovative educational program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Two anonymous $10,000 donors issued a giving challenge to support LARC’s newest program – LAB: Learn, Achieve, Become. LAB will offer an experiential learning environment that transforms traditional program areas into spaces for innovation, vocation, demonstration and learning. Five Labs will focus on skills for work, residency and leisure. The organization met the match and raised a total of $45,466, an 82% increase over the previous year’s March fundraising campaign.

“The generous support of our community will help LAB become a reality,” said Angela Katz, LARC Development Director. “With more than 3,700 children in Lee County schools with cognitive disabilities, LAB is creating opportunities for the people we serve now and the generations to come.”

“LARC provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women who rely on Medicaid Waiver funding as well as support from the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and the United Way,” said Kevin Lewis, LARC Executive Director. “Our fundraising bridges the financial gap and allows us to empower and support people with disabilities and their families to achieve their full potential.”

LARC’s programs include Adult Day Training designed to enhance abilities and help individuals live a happier, more productive and independent life, LARC’s Campus Employment that creates new jobs, generates taxes and increases consumer spending through paid wages, and LARC’s Community and Employment Support Services. More than 250 individuals are employed through LARC programs.

LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.

To donate online visit www.larcinc.networkforgood.com. To learn more about LARC contact Angela Katz, Director of Development at 239-334-6285 x229 or email [email protected] or visit www.larcleecounty.org.

ABOUT LARC
Since 1954, LARC’s mission is to empower and support people with disabilities and their families to achieve their full potential. LARC, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that has served thousands of local residents and families since inception, and serves over 300 individuals annually. LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, community-based services and an array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. For more information about LARC, visit www.larcleecounty.org or call 239-334-6285.