Lee Association of Remarkable Citizens (LARC) will host a 70th-anniversary celebration on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.at Marion Hall on the St. Cecilia Catholic Church campus, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919. Established in 1954, LARC Inc. is a training center for success that provides support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

“This event marks seven decades of dedicated service to adults with disabilities in our community,” said Angela Katz, LARC Executive Director. “LARC, a non-profit organization, has been a beacon of support, empowerment, and inclusivity since its inception. We’ve created countless moments of joy, growth, and resilience together. Now, we will unite to honor the journey and look forward to a future filled with even more compassion and progress.”

LARC was founded by parents whose children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were not allowed to attend public schools. Today, LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 81.

LARC’s programs include:
• LARC’s Adult Day Training program is designed to enhance abilities and help individuals live happier, more productive, and independent lives. Activities include self-care, daily living skills, and various pre-vocational and life skill opportunities. In addition, opportunities are provided to increase fine and gross motor activities, communication skills, academic skills, positive behavioral approaches, independent living skills, social skills, and recreation and leisure skills.
• Learn, Achieve, Become (LAB) is an on-campus experiential learning environment that transforms traditional program areas into spaces for innovation, vocation, demonstration, and learning. Five Labs focus on work and independent living skills, including Lab for Living, Wellness Lab, Smart Living Lab, Vocational Exploration Lab, and Collaboration Lab. LARC provided more than 100,000 hours of life skills training last year.
• LARC recently broke ground on its Commercial Culinary Training Kitchen. The commercial kitchen will be utilized to train individuals with disabilities for work in the hospitality industry. In this space, staff will deliver training designed for the food service and hospitality industry.
• LARC’s Campus Employment allows individuals to explore career opportunities while earning wages. LARC partners with local businesses to provide packaging and assembly work, and LARC’s Woodshop constructs and sells custom wood products.
• LARC’s Community and Employment Support Services provide ongoing assistance to individuals living in their homes, including medical, medication, money management, grocery shopping, obtaining benefits, exploring community resources, and other needs. In addition, Supported Employment is a service for individuals who require support services to obtain and succeed in competitive employment. More than 200 individuals are employed through LARC programs.
• LARC’s residential group homes provide room/board and 24-hour supervision in a person-centered, home-like environment. Individuals are provided with life skills training, including meal preparation, homemaking skills, personal hygiene, medication awareness, and budgeting. Healthcare management is provided, and individuals are educated regarding overall health and well-being. Residents participate in group and individual community inclusion and recreational activities. LARC recently broke ground on a new home that will replace a home in North Fort Myers that Hurricane Ian destroyed.

Tickets for the anniversary celebration are $54 and include a plated lunch. Reservation deadline is Wednesday, February 28. For reservations or sponsorship information, contact Nickole Hendra at 239.334.6285 x 229 or email [email protected].

If you cannot attend, contributions to LARC can be made by visiting www.larcleecounty.org.

LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. LARC’s main campus is at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

To learn more about LARC and its mission to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential, visit www.larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz at 239-334-6285 x210 or [email protected].