The Larrabee Center, Inc. is a continually developing organization devoted to meeting the ever evolving needs of persons with disabilities.  TLC began its existence as a private, non-profit residential care facility, located in rural Waverly.  The actual location of the care facility was known as the county poor farm dating from 1873.  The farm was completely self sufficient.  The residents grew what they ate, had a water tower, and even a waste treatment lagoon.  As time went on, the farm grew into a care facility to serve persons with disabilities rather than just for the poor.  In 1989, the care facility was re-named the “Bremer Care Facility” when it became a private non-profit organization.  In 1995, the name was changed to The Larrabee Center, Inc.  As the trend to move residents to the community grew, the decision was made to focus on Supported Community Living Services.  In 1999, the care facility closed and the remaining clients were transitioned to Waverly and the surrounding area.  The Larrabee Center now serves nearly 40 clients per year in various living arrangements.  Approximately 25% of the clients live in property owned by The Larrabee Center. 

Click here to view Larrabee Center properties.

In 1992, what is now called the Larrabee Vocational Center (LVC) began its life as a Day Program.  LVC was born from the need for alternative day programming and a sheltered work environment in the community.  It started in one of the buildings out at the care facility.  Clients worked on recycling newspapers for the county and repairing pallets.  The program then changed its focus to broader work related skills and moved to the basement of St. John’s Lutheran church in Waverly.  As the program grew, operations were then moved to Willow Lawn mall in 1994.

Trinkets & Togs began its existence as part of that Day Program.  In 1995, the first store was located in a store front on Bremer Avenue in Waverly.  The goods to be sold were processed at Willow Lawn mall and then transported to the store.  This all changed in 1997 when the entire program and thrift store moved to its present location at CollegeTowne Plaza.  The Larrabee Vocational Center and Trinkets & Togs have flourished at this new location and now serves over 50 clients per year.  In July 2007, another Trinkets & Togs location was opened in the town of Parkersburg.  This new location began the expansion of services in Butler County.  The Parkersburg location was destroyed in the tornado in May of 2008. 

Click here to view Trinkets & Togs and Larrabee Vocational Center.