Lifehouse is one of the most recognized and respected nonprofits in the Bay Area, but it was born out of frustration. In the early 1950s a small group of Marin County families felt their children with developmental disabilities were under-served; there were no special education programs at the time. The parents created a preschool and then a kindergarten, which flourished and became a comprehensive special education program managed by the Marin County Office of Education. Formerly known as Marin Aid to Retarded Children, Lifehouse now also provides residential services to adults and seniors with developmental disabilities, offers a teen program and operates an inclusive preschool. Every year in the spring the organization throws a fundraising gala called Great Chefs & Wineries, with 25 of the Bay Area’s top restaurants and wineries participating. Here are the numbers on that event and Lifehouse’s work. 
