SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — Once a working farm near this Kane County community, The Farm now aids in the growth of people with disabilities, both physical and mental. And it does that through the Farm Friends NFP (not-for-profit).

Hosting its third season of Friday visits from Fox Valley Special Recreation groups, volunteers provide animal encounters, workshops and educational encounters and retreats. Funds are raised through hosting wedding receptions and other group events in the peaceful country setting, to continue the work of the organization.

Serving two different populations, for very different purposes, is a challenge, but one Kimberly Willman has undertaken gladly. Willman and her family developed a passion for helping people with special challenges because of a family member.

Her niece, Kasey, granddaughter of her parents, Ted and Susan McCannon, was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome in 2008 at the age of 15, prompting the creation of the nonprofit corporation.

According to the website www.disabled-world.com (a 10-year-old website launched with disability-related news as “an international online resource for people with disabilities“), Sanfilippo is a disease with makes a person’s body unable to appropriately break down long chains of sugar molecules. It tends to be fatal before the age of 20, and is not curable.

Diagnosis generally occurs when a child does not develop as expected, or they experience losses in development achievements. “Our goal here is not only to provide for Kasey, but for other kids as well,” Ted McCannon said.

Kasey lives at the farm with the McCannons, who have made their home completely handicapped-accessible, right down to the van in which Kasey travels with them.

“She’s the inspiration for everything here,” McCannon said, while waving to laborers working on installation of the new water feature.

Along with the beautiful outdoor event venue, future plans include an equestrian therapy center, respite care for families needing a break from the daily care of a loved one with disabilities and perhaps even a group home.

The use of the farm as a venue for weddings and other events came when the son of a family friend asked about using space for his wedding, Willman said.

“Those rentals provide income for improvements and programs,” she said. And it’s not too early to plan for spring 2015 weddings. The venue can accommodate up to 800 guests with space for a tent as large as 50-by-140 feet, a pavilion with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and a full kitchen.

A focal point is the newly-installed half-acre pond and waterfall, built almost entirely with donations and volunteer labor under the direction of Aquascape. Even the offices make use of space already existing on the farm; Willman said they were built in a repurposed corncrib.

For more information about The Farm, visit Facebook and search for Farm Friends nfp, visit www.farmfriendsnfp. org or call Willman at 630-234-4435.