LifeWorks Celebrates 60 Years
LifeWorks began serving 18 individuals with disabilities in a Fort Dodge area sheltered workshop in 1966. Sixty years later, LifeWorks serves 134 individuals in residential, employment, and day habilitation services. Much has changed over the course of 60 years. The sheltered workshop service, once sought out by parents of former high school students, is considered segregation today. Medicaid is LifeWorks' primary funder, when it used to have local funding.
Teresa reviewed information found in the FY26 Annual Report, including how it helped a family in a difficult situation, employment success, and industry changes.
The LifeWorks Charitable Foundation was formed in 2009, received IRS tax exempt status in 2010, and had its first fundraiser in 2011. Funds are intended to be endowed, with a small amount going for necessary expenses. Because funds are invested and only the proceeds are used, the fund has seen good growth. This year, it has funded a sizeable amount of the capital budget. There will be a fundraiser for the LifeWorks Charitable Foundation on November 5th. It features a silent auction, dinner, entertainment in the style of America's Got Talent, and a People's Choice Award for the entertainer earning the highest amount of voting with dollars.
With the Foundation providing supplemental funding, LifeWorks is looking forward to another 60 years of offering essential services to individuals.