Who We Are: Our Story

The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation was co-founded by father and daughter Dr. Charles Farrell and Rev. Katie Norris. Carolyn Farrell, Dr. Charlie’s wife and Katie’s mother, was affected by Lewy Body dementia. As the family sought to take care of Carol and her dementia progressed, Katie and her husband Jeff and son Jeffrey moved in with Carol and Charlie. Through their two and a half years together they discovered that there was little programming and support for people with dementia after they pass the early stage. The family cared for Carol at home for ten years; she passed away in January 2015.

In 2011, they decided to start the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation and make arts activity based programming available to the community. The arts bring peace, enjoyment, and inspiration into our lives and is an important part in increasing the quality of life for many people. Our arts enrichment program provides opportunities for socialization and research has shown how beneficial this can be for individuals affected by dementia.

We came to know the stigma attached to dementia and so we also work hard through advocacy and education to help end this concern. We hope for a world where everyone is welcome in our communities, even if they do not act or think in ways that society sees as “normal.” We want to help end the fear and bring about compassion.