JARC celebrates 50 years
of ensuring quality of life for those
with developmental disabilities.
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
W
hen a group of Jewish parents of devel-
opmentally disabled children met in
1969 to discuss their children’
s future,
they didn’
t anticipate starting one of the Jewish com-
munity’
s most cherished agencies.
“None of us could have imagined what the orga-
nization would become,
” says Sharon Alterman, who
staffed recreational programs for individuals with
developmental disabilities at the Jewish Community
Center, then located at Curtis and Meyers in
Detroit. She later joined the board of what became
the Jewish Association for Retarded Citizens (later
renamed JARC) and served as its president.
Longevity and commitment are common themes
among JARC staff, volunteers and even residents.
Chief philanthropy officer Rena Friedberg is retiring
this year after 37 years at JARC. Board president
Howard Luckoff says he has served on the board for
16 years but has been a supporter “forever.
” Some
longtime employees have helped residents who have
lived in JARC homes for decades, including at least
one resident from the first group home that opened
in 1972.
Today, hundreds of families rely on JARC’
s ser-
vices that help adults with developmental disabili-
ties be independent and enjoy the highest possible
quality of life. CEO Shaindle Braunstein, appointed
in 2018, says that 190 individuals live in 30 group
homes and in other residential settings with varying
degrees of staff support. Many others benefit from
JARC’
s group recreational activities, as well as respite
care and other services for families with members
who have developmental disabilities.
JARC’
s annual budget is $13 million, including
about $3 million raised through philanthropy.
The organization began at a time when govern-
ment institutions for individuals with developmental
disabilities were beginning to close, Alterman says,
and parents were worried about who would care for
continued on page 18
Jews in the D
on the cover
Milestone
Anniversary
16 | DECEMBER 5 • 2019
CLOCKWISE: Israeli dancing
at the Jewish Community
Center, circa 1960s.
Residents like Richard
helped build a sukkah for
their home. JARC Board
President Howard Luckoff
and JARC CEO Shaindle
Braunstein at the recent
50th anniversary gala.