In July, Lincoln Self Reliance (LSR), a local, government-funded provider of care services to families and individuals who face physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, celebrated 25 years of providing services to residents in Kemmerer, Afton, Thayne and Evanston.

“LSR started in Kemmerer in July 2000 with LSR day services, and over the 25 years, we have grown to include services in Thayne, Afton and Evanston,” said LSR Director Darrel Skinner in an interview with SVI News.

Today, the services provided through LSR include 24-hour residential homes in three of its locations.  Evanston joined the organization in 2013 when a for-profit program wanted to sell out and approached LSR offering an opportunity to expand.

“We doubled the size of the program that we had that time in Lincoln County,” said Skinner.  “Kemmerer, Afton and Thayne, combined, make up the same number of clients and staff that we have in Evanston.”

LSR serves 28 individuals in its 24-hour services with another combined group of 50 individuals receiving day support and community support through a variety of educational, life and recreational skills and activities. LSR currently employs 87 caregivers in its program.