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in
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JARC Decides
Against Merger

Nonprofi t remains confi dent
in successful future.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

hiring a permanent CEO. JARC
n mid-October, JARC, a nonprofit
President-Elect Howard Luckoff,
provider of residential services
who takes office in June, will create a
based in Farmington Hills, and
search committee. “It’s a challenging
Waterford nonprofit Progressive
job, and JARC will cast a wide net.
Lifestyles Inc. announced through
John will be involved in mentoring
meetings and written communica-
tions with staff and families that they the new CEO,” Carroll says.
In addition to the need for
were considering a merger.
ongoing leadership, financial
One reason JARC leaders
concerns were also cited ini-
cited for the merger was its
tially as a reason for merging
well-regarded CEO, John
with Progressive Lifestyles.
Williams, who has consulted
However, Carroll says that
at JARC for years. The plan
the potential “backroom”
was for Williams to become
savings from a merger would
CEO of the combined orga-
have been largely offset by the
nization, although only for
David Carroll
cost of bringing Progressive’s
two years as he planned to
staff salaries up to the hourly
retire at the end of 2019.
wages of JARC staff.
On Dec. 5, JARC families
Philanthropy bolsters
were notified through an
JARC’s government funding
email that stated, “After
and comprises about one-
further consideration, JARC
third of its revenue, accord-
and Progressive have decid-
ing to Rena Friedberg, JARC’s
ed not to proceed with the
chief philanthropy officer.
merger.”
JARC’s annual major fund-
According to David
John Williams
raising event is intended to
Carroll, JARC board presi-
raise about half that amount.
dent and interim CEO for
JARC is in the midst of its year-
the past year, the major factor in
end appeal, relying on a variety of
deciding against the merger was
communication channels to reach
Williams’ potentially limited avail-
donors. Looking ahead, Friedberg
ability.
anticipates a greater emphasis on
“The two years [until his retire-
foundations and grant writing.
ment] were always a major concern,
Several parents of JARC residents
and we tried to get him to extend it.
were contacted and seemed comfort-
Then John had a few things come
able with the decision. Allan Gelfond
up in his organization — nothing
and his wife, Harriet, of Farmington
sensationalistic — but they would
Hills, were part of the parents group
take up some of his time, so his two
who initiated JARC in the 1960s.
years [with JARC] was being shrunk
Gelfond says the decision was “some-
down. He had been spending a lot of
time on merger-related items, and he what surprising.”
“This was an interesting thought,
wasn’t sure he could get it all done,”
but it doesn’t work out now,” he adds.
Carroll explains.
“JARC is not a fly-by-night orga-
Williams says that it was a mutual
nization, and it will continue and
decision after a “deep dive” into both
thrive. I don’t know anyone who is
organizations. “Everyone is disap-
concerned. Both CEOs are straight-
pointed but looked at it positively.
shooters and, as a parent, I have
We will continue to do the things
that I have been working on at JARC,” confidence.”
Ronelle Grier of West Bloomfield,
he says, adding that the two organi-
whose daughter lives in a JARC-
zations will look at potential ways to
collaborate by sharing best practices. staffed home, also expressed confi-
dence for the future. “I do trust them
Williams will continue to consult
for JARC. “He has been spending a lot to have the best interests of the cli-
ents and organization in mind for the
of time on merger-related issues, but
now he can focus on billing, adminis- long haul. Williams is very knowl-
edgeable and nice. Having him as a
tration, hiring and funding for JARC
consultant will go a long way to help
— making sure that everything goes
the organization,” she says. •
well and improves,” Carroll says.
An immediate priority will be

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December 14 • 2017

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