LIFESPAN Services was founded in 1973 when five children with disabilities were excluded from attending the public schools in Charlotte, N.C. Recognizing the specialized needs and potential of these children, a group of concerned parents and citizens joined forces and created an educational day program at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Word of the program and its positive impact spread, and with it the need for additional space and resources. In 1980, what had become St. Mark’s Center moved to its own facility, expanded its programming to include adults with disabilities, and started outreach beyond Charlotte. In 2000 the organization was renamed LIFESPAN Services to better reflect its offering of support and opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities throughout their lives. LIFESPAN’s mission, and its passion, is to illuminate the abilities of children and adults with lifelong disabilities by providing education, employment and enrichment opportunities to live, work and play in their communities. Currently, LIFESPAN works every day with more than 1,000 individuals of all ages, helping them experience the precious ordinary the rest of us take for granted. LIFESPAN is a “first-time” organization, helping individuals experience many firsts, such as first steps, first jobs, first independent bus rides and more, through more than 100 programs and services in more than 20 N.C. counties.