(Hartford) HARC, Inc., an organization serving people with intellectual and related disabilities, celebrates the transformational 36-year tenure of President / CEO, Dr. Stephen Becker, who has announced that he will retire July 12, 2013.
Dr. Becker, who began his career at HARC in 1977, first became interested in the field of developmental disabilities as an undergraduate at City University of New York at Queens College, working summers at a sleep-away camp for special needs children. Becker relates, “I was fascinated to see just how much the children could learn in the eight weeks at camp, when everything was geared toward an intensive learning experience. After one summer I was hooked, and went back to work at the camp for four more summers. I loved working with the children and their families, but was terribly saddened to see a few of the campers return to large state institutions after these fantastic summers of learning. Because of that, I broadened my training to include a greater focus on the nature and needs of people with intellectual disability.”
While pursuing a master’s degree from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College, Becker taught special education at the junior high level, and later worked as the recreational director at an organization serving people with neurological disorders. He then pursued a doctoral degree at Columbia University in order to gain expertise in all areas of learning, cognition, sensory and perceptual development. When he saw an expose by Geraldo Rivera on Willowbrook, an institution for children with intellectual disability on Staten Island profiling the horrible conditions there, he launched his advocacy work in the field. (Willowbrook was closed in 1987 due to public outcry.)
In the announcement of his retirement, Becker comments, “The past 36 years at HARC have been an incredible period in our quest to create social change for individuals and families challenged by intellectual disability. Through advocacy and litigation, it became universally clear that isolating people in large institutions, sometimes numbering 5,000 and more, was a tremendous over-reaction to this disability and was frequently fraught with abuse and neglect. Certainly, it was a blatant deprivation of human and civil rights with few opportunities to engage in community life, or benefit from education and training that would engender dignity and self-esteem.”
He continues, “I have been blessed to work during this particular time in history as we joined hands to shape and actualize the dreams expressed by self-advocates and their loved ones. What a glorious ride it has been to observe how good life could be: children off to a good start with early intervention; students attending neighborhood schools; people living in the community close to family and friends; presence and participation in community activities; the joy of having a job and being part of the American workforce. It has been a veritable renaissance, a flurry of innovation and celebration, energizing us forward to a new frontier.”
According to HARC’s board chair, Patrice Calnen, Vice President, Underwriting and New Business, Lincoln Financial Group, “During Dr. Becker’s extraordinary 36-year tenure at HARC, tremendous strides were made for individuals and families challenged by intellectual disability. HARC was the second organization in the State of Connecticut focused on this disability. Where our loved ones had been warehoused in large institutions, usually in horrible conditions with a bare minimum of custodial care, they now began to live in neighborhood group homes and attend day programs featuring development, teaching and support. HARC also helped public perception of this disability change from the idea of ‘deficiency’ to the idea of ‘level of support’ needed in various aspects of life. People with intellectual disability became individuals and have become a real and visible part of our community, at work, in neighborhood group homes and in leisure activities. Dr. Becker, as President / CEO of HARC was absolutely instrumental in helping to bring about these changes.”
When asked if he has any disappointments, Dr. Becker says, “I am quite happy with the progress that has been made in the initiation of supportive services spanning a lifetime. However, I am very concerned for the families who continue to struggle with the worry of ‘Who will take care of my child when I am gone?’ It is troubling that in this day and age funding is still an issue, particularly in the area of residential services.”
Becker’s friend and colleague, Dr. Janis Abrams Spring, sums up Becker’s coming transition aptly. “With great compassion, intelligence, and a delightful sense of humor, Steve Becker has been a champion advocate for families facing intellectual challenges. Wherever he goes next, the people around him will be blessed.”
About HARC HARC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disability and their families. It was founded in 1951 by families, long before community services were available and institutionalization was the only option. HARC remains a strong advocate for civil rights and opportunities, and a major provider of clinical and supportive programs that span the entire lifetime: early intervention (Birth-to-Three), family support, respite care, employment and day services, residential, recreation, behavioral health and elderly services.
HARC is a Community Investment Partner of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and serves Greater Hartford. For further information about HARC go to the website: www.harc-ct.org
