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.