became CEO in 2008.
The transition was smooth, and
Loewenstein has embraced the job,
though he is not from the mental
health field. He's at ease with JARC
clients and knows them by sight. He's a
visionary who enjoys being hands-on
with staff, clients and volunteers. And
he brings business know-how and tre-
mendous energy to the job.
"Now is an opportunity to bring in
new ideas, but the core mission of car-
ing for people with developmental dis-
abilities will not change," Loewenstein
said.
While maintaining JARC's high stan-
dards of care, Loewenstein also will
turn his attention to finances.
JARC's annual budget is $10 million;
$3 million comes from donors. The
Michigan Department of Community
Health and Oakland County Community
Mental Health Authority fund the
remainder of operating expenses. Many
clients are Medicaid recipients; others
pay on a sliding fee scale. No money
is allocated to JARC from the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit or
United Way, so fundraising is key.
"Thanks to longtime supporters and
an outstanding staff, I'm proud that
JARC maintained a balanced budget
this year, one of the most challenging
on record;' he said. "At the same time,
we must continue to raise funds to
ensure the long-term financial stabil-
ity of JARC while remaining a national
leader and innovator in the field."
He says he'll reach out to new donors
while maintaining relationships with
existing supporters, and JARC will
develop a defined giving program.
Loewenstein also believes in the
importance of collaboration to enrich
the lives of those JARC serves.
During his first three months,
JARC partnered with Cranbrook Art
Museum to host an evening for staff,
donors and residents at an exhibition.
JARC clients now take art classes at the
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.
And recently, JARC partnered with
the JCC, Southfield-based JVS and
Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield
on the Super Raffle fundraiser.
Also coming up: JARC will sponsor
a program about Gentle Teaching, a
philosophy of care that uses a person's
voice, touch, eyes and presence to make
people feel safe and loved so they will
respond better.
And look for more "green" innova-
tion in new JARC homes.
"We have to continue to grow,"
Loewenstein said. "We'll always be
pushing forward." II
JARC 40th
Anniversary Events
•JARC presents Dr. John McGee,
founder of Gentle Teaching, a
philosophy that has revolution-
ized work with disenfranchised
children and adults around the
world, from 9 a.m.-noon or 1:30-
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.13, at the
Jewish Community Center, West
Bloomfield. Contact Chris Hench
at (248) 538-6610 ext. 303 or
chrishench@jarc.org
•Shop Somerset Collection stores
or dine at any of its restau-
rants Thursday, Oct.15, through
Saturday, Oct.17, and Somerset
Collection will donate 10 per-
cent of your purchases to JARC
(department stores excluded).
Somerset Collection, 2800 W. Big
Beaver, Troy. For details, call Rena
Friedberg at (248) 538-6610 ext.
314 or renafriedberg@jarc.org .
•Party Like It's 1969! Celebrate
the 40th anniversaries of JARC
and the Somerset Collection from
8-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct 17. Dance
at Somerset a-Go-Go, enjoy psy-
chedelic martinis, sing along with
folk singers at a coffeehouse and
dress in your far-out '60s threads!
Somerset Collection South, 2800
W Big Beaver, Troy. To purchase
tickets: www.jarc.org .
•JARC's 29th Annual Fall
Fundraiser, Legally Blonde: The
Musical at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.
27, at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit.
Purchase tickets at www.jarc.org
or call Carol Kaczander
(248) 538-6610 ext. 343 or
carolkaczander@jarc.org .
•Alibi Lounge: Young adult (ages
21 to 40ish) party from 5-7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Cloud 9
Restaurant and Ultra Lounge,
Fisher Building, Detroit. Catered
by Matt Prentice (dietary laws
observed). Free admission with
ticket to JARC's performance of
Legally Blonde at 7:30 p.m. at the
Fisher Theatre.
•JARC/Hillel Day School Reunion:
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov.12,
at Hillel Day School, 32200
Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills.
Contact Alissa Pianin at
(248) 538-6610 ext. 349 or
alissapianin@jarc.org .
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