Thinking About What Comes Next

When we look into the horizon of our future, most of us think about it in familiar ways.

We imagine what life might look like a few years from now. Maybe it’s a different pace, more time with family, or plans that finally have room to breathe. 

There’s a sense of ease in that kind of thinking. 

But for families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the future brings thoughts that are a bit different. 

It’s not just about what’s ahead; it’s about who will be there day to day. Who understands their loved one. Who notices the small things. Who steps in when something doesn’t feel right. 

It’s wondering what happens when you’re no longer the one holding all of that together. 

It’s a quiet question, but it’s an important one. 

Families like Chris Otto’s and Kathleen McMahon’s have spent time sitting with these questions, and their careful pondering led to a decision: to include Penn-Mar in their estate plans. 

“Knowing Mandy has support gives us peace of mind. We no longer carry the fear of what might happen if we were suddenly unable to care for her. We know Penn-Mar will be there.” 
— Chris Otto, Parent and Legacy Circle Member 

“Planning for the future isn’t easy, but it matters. We wanted to make sure there would always be support in place, no matter what.” 
— Kathleen McMahon, Parent and Legacy Circle Member 

If support is going to be there in the future, it doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when families think ahead and make intentional decisions. 

Chris and Kathleen are not alone. There is a growing group of families and supporters who have made the choice to include Penn-Mar in their estate planning. Together, they are helping ensure that the support people rely on today continues for years to come.

That community is what we now call the Legacy Circle. 

The Penn-Mar Legacy Circle is a community made up of people who have chosen to include Penn-Mar in their will or estate plans. This commitment is one step toward creating long-term stability for Penn-Mar and the people we support. 

The Legacy Circle’s logo intentionally illustrates this idea. At the center is a horizon with a path moving forward. There is direction. There is movement. There is something ahead. 

Because that’s what this is about… creating support that endures. 

Penn-Mar exists today because people believed this work mattered and chose to invest in it. The Legacy Circle carries that same idea forward. 

It’s a way to make sure the support people count on doesn’t stop here.