From the President and CEO’s desk...

Although we have not yet totally returned to what we would consider to be normal, we are working toward and are anxious to recapture what had always been our usual existence, with the hope that the pandemic will finally be over and never return.

Beginning in March 2020, we have concentrated on keeping those Participants who remained in a Lambs Farm facility during this period safe and healthy. Staff has done a wonderful job of keeping them occupied with a variety of things. At the same time, many Participants did go home to their families, and most have now returned. Some aging Participants have had to move to other agencies better able to serve their needs.

As has been true for many years, when the State needs to balance its budget, the solution for them is to cut their already inadequate funding for private agencies such as ours. Although the State has nothing to lose, the people served in these private agencies and their families have much more at stake.

On the other hand, we believe that the more choices available to the men and women we serve, the better the opportunity for them to live full and satisfying lives. If we had to depend solely upon the State of Illinois in making those life choices, as is the case for most Participants at Lambs Farm and for people served at similar agencies, our options would continue to be significantly limited. In the State’s view, shelter, food, clothing, minimal training and limited medical services – life’s most basic requirements –are essentially all that is necessary – together with the perpetual threat of reducing even

Despite the short-sightedness of the State in not recognizing the value of these quality of life programs (and does not fund them), we believe these are among the most important programs we offer. And, we are truly grateful to so many who share that belief and understand how important it is to the men and women of Lambs Farm.

Through the years, we have been humbled by and grateful for the support of so many who share our belief that life for the men and women of Lambs Farm should include – must include - more than the bare necessities.

Sincerely,

Dianne M. Yaconetti President and CEO

Lambs Farm has such a rich, interesting history, and there are five Participants from the very beginning who are still with us today.

Mike Hechtman, Patti Horgan, Dennis Moss, Janice Small and Ruby Perzan are the remaining Original Lambs who were first employed by our Co-Founders. These individuals have spent most of their life at Lambs Farm, growing in ways they never thought possible and proving that adults with developmental disabilities can lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Lambs Farm would not be what it is today without the support of our visitors. We welcomed guests near and far to a special event, 60th Anniversary on the Farm, to celebrate with us on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18.

It was a beautiful fall weekend, and families enjoyed barrel train rides and rope making stations provided by the Lake County Farm Heritage Association. Kids could do all kinds of fall crafts including decorating a cookie and painting a ceramic pumpkin, visit our Farmyard friends and play games. Guests could shop at our vendor showcase and purchase tickets at our lucky draw raffle. We also heard classics from 1960s band, The Rockets, and the men and women of Lambs Farm were serving up fall treats, snow cones, popcorn and fresh lemonade at their new carts that were recently purchased through our spring fundraiser, Lunch on the Lawn.

As always, volunteers played a key role in the event. We had over 100 people come to help make our 60th celebration extra special, and we can’t thank them enough for their support.

Lambs Farm has accomplished so much in 60 years, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us as we continue to grow.