A MESSAGE FROM ANGELA KATZ, LARC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of LARC and our mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilling, independent, and connected lives.

This year has been transformational. With your help, we took bold steps forward in The Year of a Million Dreams, and those dreams are coming true every day in our classrooms, workplaces, homes, and throughout the community.

As we look ahead, your year-end gift will ensure these opportunities continue to grow, creating even more pathways to independence, purpose, and belonging for the individuals we serve.

EXPANDING INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT

Our strong partnerships with employers grew even further this year. Partners like Cypress Cove opened new paid positions and hands-on training opportunities.

We hosted our annual Career Camp for teens, giving participants the chance to explore career paths, build confidence, and gain real-world experience.

We were proud to recognize businesses leading the way in inclusive hiring at our Exceptional Employers event. Thank you to every employer who believes in ability and opportunity for all.

In January, LARC will launch the first cohort of our Culinary Training Program, marking an exciting milestone as we enter 2026. With the addition of a dedicated training chef, individuals will begin learning essential culinary and workplace skills designed to prepare them for meaningful employment in the food industry.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

This year also brought exciting recognition. LARC was honored with the Non-Profit Excellence Award at the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Awards, a testament to our team’s dedication and impact. Volunteer Virginia King was named Volunteer of the Year, and we proudly celebrated board member Ross Webb as a finalist for the Community Foundation’s ENPY Lifetime Achievement Award. I was honored to be named a finalist for the Development and Fundraising Excellence Award.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT & PHILANTHROPY

Two successful fundraisers—Aiming for Abilities and the inaugural Shaken, Stirred & Served—brought together passionate advocates and helped build momentum for the future. We are deeply grateful for the generous support of businesses, philanthropic organizations, communities, and individuals who helped expand our programs and resources.  Dedicated individuals, businesses, and civic groups also volunteered their time, expertise, and financial support to make this work possible.

STRENGTHENING LIVES & DIGNITY

Through residential and daily living supports, individuals are growing their independence, confidence, and connections, ensuring stability and care for those who depend on LARC services.

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH SCHOOL. BUSINESS & NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIPS

This year, LARC served as a powerful hub of connection, welcoming school groups, nonprofits, and business partners to our campus to experience firsthand the talents, capabilities, and potential of the individuals we serve.

These visitors didn’t just observe; they actively shared their skills and knowledge with LARC clients, engaging in hands-on experiences that fostered learning, confidence, and mutual understanding. They also left inspired, sharing their experiences, insights, and stories with classmates, colleagues, and communities, helping extend LARC’s message of inclusion far beyond our campus.

A few examples include:

• Braxton College EMS program and FSW EMS & Firefighter Programs: immersive, hands-on experiences fostered essential skills, lasting perspective, compassion, and understanding, while allowing us to help shape tomorrow’s first responders.
• Keiser University OT students: created a calming sensory room
• Cape Coral Technical College: provided professional haircuts and shaves
• FGCU Music Therapy students: brought joy through interactive music
• Beesley’s PAW Prints: shared comfort and connection through pet therapy
• Nova Southeastern University Nursing students: supported health and wellness
• Alliance for the Arts: staff brought a variety of creative and wellness experiences directly to the LARC campus. Through theater classes, art therapy, and yoga, LARC individuals explored self-expression, movement, and mindfulness through the arts
• Special Equestrians Inc.: shared an outreach visit with LARC, Inc., offering participants a hands-on introduction to equine care. Individuals learned about horse diets, proper grooming techniques, and even got to experience sitting in a saddle

LARC IN THE COMMUNITY

Beyond our campus, individuals served by LARC are actively contributing to and engaging with the community, building confidence, independence, and a deep sense of belonging.

Highlights from 2025 include:

• Volunteering at Gulf Coast Humane Society: caring for animals and supporting shelter needs
• The LARC Songbirds: our choir performed throughout Lee County, spreading joy through music
• Freedom Waters Foundation adventures: experiencing the calm and excitement of being on the water
• LARC in the Park: exploring Lee County’s parks, connecting with nature, and practicing community navigation skills
• LeeTran Travel Training: where individuals learn to confidently ride public transportation, gaining vital life skills that foster independence and community access
• Volunteering at the Midwest Food Bank: sorting donated food, assembling meal kits, packaging bulk items, and preparing loads for distribution, gaining valuable job skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose while helping feed families in need
• Bonita Senior Center: opened its doors to LARC seniors for engaging music and movement activities. Participants enjoyed drumming classes, singing, and dancing
• Providence Family Life Center: welcomed LARC participants every Tuesday for yoga sessions held in the Mind Body Movement Living Laboratory. These weekly visits promoted physical wellness, balance, and relaxation
• Visiting J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, IMAG, Nan’s Ranch, The Mighty Mussels, Trailways Camp, Fort Myers Fire Department, and more!

Every outing represents a new milestone, another step toward fuller inclusion and empowered living.

BREAKFAST WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This gathering brings donors, families, and community advocates together for meaningful conversation over a casual morning meal.  These sessions have become a wonderful way to share progress, answer questions, and draw inspiration from the incredible individuals we serve.  The relationships strengthened around the breakfast table are building a stronger, more connected LARC community.

TOGETHER WE ARE BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

As we look ahead to 2026, our goals are clear:

• Expand inclusive employment across Southwest Florida
• Enhance skills training through technology and innovation
• Grow community partnerships that celebrate and support ability
• Create more life-changing opportunities, one dream at a time

At the same time, we are embarking on a major campus expansion with the development of a new 8,000-square-foot program building designed to support individuals who require a higher level of care, while also serving as Southwest Florida’s first hurricane shelter specifically created to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring safety, dignity, and continuity of care during emergencies.

Our third residential group home will be built on the LARC campus, further strengthening our continuum of care by providing a safe, permanent home environment as we continue to grow and innovate to better serve our community.

Your year-end gift will fuel this momentum and help bring this vision to life, ensuring that every person we serve continues to feel valued, included, protected, and empowered.

Sincerely,

Angela Katz

LARC Executive Director