LARC Foundation sits on Bouquet Canyon Rd. in Santa Clarita, California, and the place's been around since 1989, though the broader community's got roots going back to 1959, which means it's been helping people with developmental disabilities for a good long time, and you'll notice right away it's a nonprofit group that's run independently, giving long-term support to both residents and the Los Angeles Residential Community Foundation by focusing on shelter, job training, life skills, and a better quality of life all around. The homes you'll see can hold over five residents each, with more than ten houses ready, and they're roomy, some close to 3,000 square feet, plus kitchens with dishwashers and microwave ovens, and laundry's made easy with big washers and dryers, all built to handle a community's regular needs, and some homes are designed to make sure elderly folks or people who need higher levels of care feel safe and comfortable.
LARC Foundation runs several different programs, like their Adult Developmental Center, where staff members, including folks like Kathy Sturkey the Executive Director and Chris Bratzel the Residential Administrator, keep the care personal by focusing on physical fitness, language, and social skills, and it's not unusual for staff to adapt physical activities so they fit the different needs and abilities of each person. There's also a Day Training Activity Center, which runs job training and workforce skill lessons, plus the L.A.R.C. Industries programs where people can get personalized training for work. The staff here pays close attention to everyone, keeping the staff-to-participant ratios low, and there's always help around when someone needs a little extra, whether it's for health issues like diabetes, incontinence, or if someone can't get around easily, and meals are provided, with the help of a dietician making sure everyone's eating well.
Within the homes you'll see common areas, places for entertainment, and even a gym for music-based aerobics and sports, and besides the usual indoor activities, there are offsite trips, devotional activities, and a regular calendar of events. LARC Foundation's all about making sure each person feels supported, able to grow, and finds some independence, working in a kind and steady way, and the programs try to build a sense of community. You'll find their funding comes from donations and grants, and their reports show they're transparent about where the money goes, with most revenues coming from grants and support, and expenses going right back into the programs and homes. They're a state-licensed provider, offering assisted living, Alzheimer's care, and retirement support for adults with different levels of ability, and they help families sort out senior living placements as well. The organization really tries to make sure anyone living there gets the care, resources, and respect they need, and they keep everything simple, steady, and consistent year after year.
