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. 

