Carla’s Story:
A Life Enriched by Compassion 

At 84 years old, Carla’s world is filled with unique joys—she adores animals, especially stallions and tarantulas, and finds comfort in the small rituals of her day. Carla lives in a group home in California’s Central Valley, where she’s resided since her previous home, an intentional community for individuals with developmental disabilities, closed many years ago.

Carla receives full Pro Bono support from The Good Shepherd Fund. Without family and with very limited income, she relies on the compassionate care of her GSF Care Manager and the generosity of donors like you to access even the simplest pleasures.

Recently, Carla expressed her desire for two new T-shirts—one with a stallion and another with a tarantula. While these might seem like small requests, they were a meaningful expression of her identity and interests. Thanks to our Johnson Legacy Endowment—made possible entirely through donations—we fulfilled her wish.

But there was another need, too. Due to her advanced age, Carla now uses a wheelchair for mobility. Her old one wasn’t suitable for transportation, meaning she missed out on community outings with her day program. Because of donor support, we were able to provide Carla with a lightweight, foldable wheelchair, empowering her to rejoin her community and experience the world beyond her care home.

Carla’s story is just one example of how your generosity goes beyond necessities—it brings joy, dignity, and connection. Every pro bono service we provide is fueled by donations. With your help, we ensure that clients like Carla are not forgotten, but celebrated.

 The Good Shepherd Fund

Your Loved One’s Well-Being Is Our Priority

A 501(C)(3) National Non-Profit Fiduciary

Dedicated to enhancing the lives of minors, aging adults, and persons with disabilities for over 50 years.

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