Friends Of Larche Inc

Programs: During the year ended december 31, 2017, fola operated the following programs:(i)a larche home in the oakhurst neighborhood of decaturlarche atlantas first home, opened in 2012, has a double identity: first and foremost, the members of the home are simply human beings sharing life together, with and without disabilities, building community together. The homes second identity is that of a professional provider of residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. As such, the home is a licensed community residential alternative with the state of georgias department of developmental disabilities, and this partnership provides for around 45% of the homes funding through available public funding. (ii)outreach - building community through social eventssince january 2010, in partnership with several local faith communities, fola has been hosting social events for people with and without intellectual disabilities. These evenings begin with a potluck supper, and then move to events such as dances, bingo, talent night or movie night. An average of 100 people attends the gatherings. In 2017, over 550 different people attended these gatherings, including over 50 individuals with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of the evenings is to come together to have fun, to celebrate the unique value of each person, and build relationships of friendship and support. (iii)outreach through announcing the gifts of adults with intellectual disabilitiespart of the larche mission involves announcing the gifts that adults with intellectual disabilities bring to our societies, thereby inviting people to initiatives of inclusion and mutual relationships within their own communities. In 2017, fola, in partnership with the georgia council on developmental disabilities, began work on a storytelling project. The goal of the project is to educate and influence legislators around issues that affect georgians with disabilities through their stories and photographs. The gcdd storytelling project aims to collect 75 stories representing the experience of individuals living with a developmental disability in georgia. This collection of stories and pictures will include at least one individual from each of georgias 56 state senate districts. Larche will be collecting stories to support gcdds efforts to amplify the voices and stories of people with developmental disabilities in georgia.