A Gift that Just Keeps Giving

Kara Larsen was the 2015 AHCA/NCAL Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) “Hero of the Year.” Ms. Larsen works at the Mission at West Jordan Care Center, West Jordan, Utah. The goal of West Jordan is to offer an individualized quality of life experience by providing excellent services in an advanced Eden Alternative environment. Over the years, West Jordan’s clients have changed from mainly behavioral to eighty percent (80%) non-ambulatory.  A solid 15-year veteran at West Jordan, Kara’s career began there when she was 17 years old. Today, Jeanie Pettit, Administrator of West Jordan, describes her as “extraordinary in the love and caring she brings to activity situations. She thinks out of the box, is creative and enthusiastic.”

Kara is adept at taking on an idea and following it through to completion, such as participating in the Miss Utah Wheelchair pageant, or leading other social events. She receives a lot of the credit for the success of the Eden program.  Yet, Kara’s true gift is in building relationships with clients, families, and the staff. Seems Kara is always able to rally support for her causes and fundraisers, as well as providing community volunteers for events.  Kara was recognized for her wonderful contributions at the AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX, on Oct. 7, 2015.