Jim and Barbara Palmer of State College and the JPI Partnership of Dallas, Texas began this fund because they believed in the importance of encouraging students who are mentally handicapped to live independently. Since Jim’s passing in 2001, Barbara has continued their generous philanthropic legacy. A founding member of the Hemlock Council (Central Pennsylvania) of the Girl Scouts, she was also a founding supporter of the Park Forest Day Nursery for low-income children. She is a generous supporter of Penn State as well as many local charities. This fund supports the LifeLink Program in the State College Area School District with assisting mentally handicapped children and young adults to obtain an appropriate education and the life skills needed to successfully transition to a lifestyle of independence and self-sufficiency. Designed by the Wild Dream Team, a group of high school students with mental challenges, this program helps students learn the skills to transition into the world as productive citizens. Through this program, the students and their families have time to adjust to the realities of independent living while still having the support of the school and family.