Harc Today 2015

Spring 2015

Serving people with intellectual and related disabilities

$236,000 00+!

Denim & Diamonds: A Record Breaker!

With tremendous thanks to Patrick and Patricia Kinney, CoChairs of HARC’s 26th Annual Auction, along with title sponsor, Travelers and the host of other sponsors, supporters, volunteers and attendees, we celebrate this wonderful accomplishment!

From left to right: Catherine Gibbons Way, VP, Development, HARC; Andrea Barton Reeves, President / CEO, HARC; Patrick J. Kinney, EVP and COO, Business & International Insurance, Travelers; and Patricia Kinney

The support of our families, friends and the Greater Hartford (and beyond) community has always meant a great deal to us, and we once again want to thank all who contributed to the success of this Auction!

Title Sponsor

Sponsors Bank of America Robert Hamill & Christine Lussier NBC CT PowerStation Events Allstate Record Center First Niagara The Kinney Family Kainen, Escalera & McHale Mandell Family Foundation Robinson + Cole Willis of CT Bouvier Insurance The Campanelli Family CohnReznick Cross Insurance CVS Health JK Energy Solutions McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter Starkweather & Shepley The Hartford Courant

Supporters $500+ Alan Schnitzer B+B Coverage Group Barnes Group, Inc. Beazley, Inc. Bill & Paula Teed Brad Drazen Brescia’s Printing Services Mr. & Mrs. Brian MacLean Brown & Brown Insurance Cherrie & Andy Bessette Cindy & Michael Klein Atty. Claudia Englisby Columbia Management Daniel Frey Denise & Marc Schmittlein EBK Framing Haz-Pros, Inc. Jean & John Weiss Mrs. John M. Gibbons, Jr.

Julie Trowbridge Dillman & John Dillman Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research Lincoln Financial Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Martin Carroll Atty. Megan O’Neill Myles & Tracy Gibbons Oscar Peyser Foundation Patricia & Kenneth Martino Pension Consultants, Inc. Susan & Vincent Staunton Team Kinney United Technologies Building & Industrial Systems United Technologies Corporation William Heyman Willis North America Mrs. Roslyn Yellin

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From Our President Dear HARC friends and family,

HARC’s Mission

Has it really been seven months since we published the last HarcToday?

Time is truly flying, because there is so much going on! HARC is out in the community and also inviting the community in to visit HARC and our participants with wonderful frequency, and with great benefit for all involved.

We are very pleased to connect with so many new community friends and partners and also to be able to deepen relationships with those community partners who have been with us over a period of time.

We welcome Dan Goldfarb as our new Chairman of the Board, and give tremendous thanks to Pat Calnen for her five years of committed, passionate and wonderful service to HARC as Board Chair from 2010 to 2014. Be sure to read the article in this issue on our Board’s commitment to Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s (HFPG’s) program on Improving Nonprofit Governance. HARC was truly honored to have been one of twenty-five organizations chosen from over a hundred applicants to take part in this opportunity, and we are very grateful to HFPG for their ongoing support of our mission and our organization.

Of course you cannot miss the great news on our front page! What wonderful new friends we have in Patricia and Patrick Kinney. Their fantastic work as the CoChairs of our 26th Annual Auction broke all records! And we are delighted to welcome Patricia to our Board of Directors, along with other new Board and Committee members, Claudia Englisby, Elizabeth Krause and Sarah Pompea.

Guided by Fred Stula, our advocacy work at the legislature is going very well as we continue to connect with our legislators through the Family Legislative House Parties and Have a HARC Day. We thank the Habesches and Stauntons for so successfully partnering with HARC to further this initiative!

And finally, as I attended the Stop & Shop celebration honoring Bernard for his Special Olympic gold medal in bowling, and his eighteen years of terrific service to the store. It made me so pleased to see an employer and the community at large recognizing and appreciating the very real gifts that someone with intellectual disability has to offer. In the hearts of his employer, manager and coworkers, a multitude of store customers and HARC and Special Olympic staff, Bernard is not only a “gold-medal” employee but also a “gold-medal” person.

Serving people with intellectual and related disabilities HarcToday is published by

HARC helps people with intellectual disability and

HARC, Inc. 900 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT 06105-1985 Tel: (860) 218-6047 Fax: (860) 240-7965

www.harc-ct.org Editor / Designer Diana Appleton

Director of Communications

HARC’s President / CEO

Andrea Barton Reeves 2014 / 2015 Board of Directors

their families

Board Chair Daniel A. Goldfarb

enjoy lives

Vice Chairs Najib O. Habesch Frank J. Sambor, CPA Dianne S. Soucy John P. Weiss

of quality, inclusion and dignity by providing support, education and advocacy.

Secretary / Treasurer Seth B. Fierston, CPA, CFP® Assistant Secretary Martin J. Carroll Board Members Patrice M. Calnen Edwin W. Carty Mary M. Delaney Carol H. DelTatto Claudia W. Englisby, Esq. Florence M. Guite James W. Heffernan John M. Horak, Esq. Mathew James Patricia Kinney Deborah Meier Kleinman Albert J. Lognin Robert Miller Linda L. Nawrot Katherine Ramírez Dr. Luis Recoder-Núñez Susan Staunton Amber D. Tucker, CPA Committee Members Robert J. Cloonan Charles J. Duffy Elizabeth Krause Sarah J. Pompea Robert D. Wild

With my best wishes,

Andrea Barton Reeves, President / CEO

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Recent & Upcoming HARC Events

HARC Has Committed to Board Leadership Program from HFPG As one of twenty-five chosen organizations from over a hundred applicants, HARC has

Tues. February 10, 2015 Have a HARC Day

made the commitment to take part in a Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG)

Legislative Office Building Roundtable discussion led by Rep. Jason Rojas

sponsored program on Board Leadership /

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pose of the program is to provide training on

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Fri. April 24, 2015 The Spring Fling & Staff Milestone Celebration Hartford / Windsor Marriott 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Walk

& 5K Run !

2015

Sun. May 3, 2015 The HarcWalk & 5K Run Rentschler Field, East Hartford 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Thurs. May 14, 2015 HARC’s Donor Reception

Improving Nonprofit Governance. The purthe best practices for non-profit boards. The with the added benefit of over 40 hours of

dividual Board Strengths and Areas for Growth,

included consultant work.

• Board Participation in Fundraising, • Ensuring

Participating in this opportunity from

Adequate Resources for the Agency’s Present

HARC’s Board are Chairman, Dan Goldfarb;

& Future Needs, • Raising Agency Profile, and

former Chair, Pat Calnen; Board member,

• The Board Building Process.

HARC will work with consultant, Francine

Florence Guite; and HARC President, Andrea Barton Reeves. Among the topics to

Christiansen of Christiansen Consulting on

be covered are • Review of Board Duties,

such possible projects as • The Board Role in

• Examples of Best Practices, • Determining In- Fundraising, • Re-engineering Board Recruitment, and • Effective Engagement Program for Former Board Members.

Welcome to New Board & Committee Members!

Board Claudia W. Englisby Patricia Kinney

“This is a wonderful opportunity for HARC

Committees Elizabeth Krause Sarah J. Pompea

Honoring The Hoff Family Town & County Club 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

64 Thurs. June 11, 2015 HARC’s 64th Annual Meeting Details and Location to be announced

Sat. Nov. 7, 2015 HARC’s 27th Annual Auction

Denim & Diamonds 2 Hartford / Windsor Marriott 6:30 pm - 12 midnight; $175/person

Chairman of the Board, Dan Goldfarb

program consists of two four-hour sessions,

and its Board,” says Dan Goldfarb. “As HARC continues to grow, it becomes more and more important that we maximize all our assets, and take advantage of every program available.”

Sellout for ArtSparks Thanks to Auction Sponsor, Rich Bouvier of Bouvier Insurance

port HARC and also Patrick Kinney by sponsor-

HARC was delighted to welcome Bouvier

Timing was perfect - we kept two of the paint-

ing the event. It was a terrific evening! I was particularly interested in the ArtSparks paintings when I saw them and I won seven of them.

Insurance of West Hartford as a new Bronze ings and gave five of them to family members level sponsor of the 26th Annual Auction.

as Christmas gifts. I thought they were just

Among the Bouvier attendees were Niki and

etting them seemed beautiful and getting

Rich Bouvier. “I had been aware of HARC

like the perfect

through my involvement with Boy Scouts,”

way for me to

says Rich, “but this was the first HARC Auc-

support HARC

tion that my wife and I have attended, and

and the work

we also brought four friends to the event as

it does.”

our guests. We were really pleased to sup-

Follow HARC on Social Media: There’s a lot going on, and . . .

We love it when you like us!

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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com / HarcInc Twitter: https://twitter.com / HARCInc YouTube: http://www.youtube.com / user / HARCIncCT

HARC’s What’s Happening Self- Advocacy Group and Leadership Greater Hartford Nine members of Leadership Greater Hartford’s Quest Class came to visit HARC’s What’s Happening Self-Advocacy Group in October 2014 to work on interview skills as part of the employment seeking process. The Quest Class visitors represented businesses, corporations and law firms throughout Greater Hartford. Among the visitors was Rep. Matt Ritter (pink circle) of law firm, Shipman & Goodwin who conducted a mock interview with HARC participant David (in red sweater). “That was cool,” said David. “I liked meeting Matt.”

“Educating our legislators, to familiarize them with HARC, and our participants’ and families’ needs is one of our most important goals right now,” says Fred Stula. “This is also a very natural way to engage

Bring Your Daughters & Sons to Work: The Amazing Race Around HARC / 2014

with other community businesses and organizations. We’re deepening HARC’s community connections in a real and positive way.”

Developed in recognition of National

Trying out some of the adaptive equipment in HARC’s Occupational & Physical Therapy Suite was a great part of the Amazing Race. Far left: Collin Sumislaski in the stander; Left: Legacy Jackson in the multi-axis swing.

Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day, by Assistant Director of Administration / Staff Development, Beth Goodwin in 2012, this third year of The Amazing Race Around HARC took place on April 24, 2014.

2014 /15 Annual Appeal Update

Just like its predecessors, it was an action packed day of fun and learning for 16 young- them first-hand

(as of February 2, 2015)

sters ranging in age from 7 to 17. The day not

experiences in

only informed young people about the jobs

the everyday needs of people with

that their parents do at HARC but also gave

disabilities, as they went through the varied

$76,968 (Goal: $170,000)

activities of the program.

Some activities of the day included a team-building exercise, a Kids-on-the- Block Puppet Show, and a visit with volunteer therapy dog, Odin.

The financial support provided by HARC’s Annual Appeal makes possible our wide range of life-time programs for over 2,200 participants and families above and beyond what is funded by the State Department of Development Services.

It’s not too late!

No donation is too small, and everyone can help. Use the attached envelope to send in your donation.

Above top: Painting by Mira Above: Painting by Lisa; Right: Several members of the ArtSparks Group from left to right are Bill, Jimmy, Mira, June and Lisa.

Left: Niki and Rich Bouvier.

YOU

CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Donate, Advocate, Participate 5

2014

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE HARC: Connecting with Our Legislators!

2015

Thanks to the hard

Ciotto, and Reps. Matt Ritter, Russ Morin,

work and auspicious

Kelly Luxemberg and John Hampton. Many

guidance of Fred

of HARC’s families and participants were there

Stula, newly promo-

to meet the legislators, and tell their stories to

ted to the position of

make them aware of the importance of HARC’s

Director of Govern-

services.

ment Advocacy &

Our Family Legislative House Parties have

Community Affairs, HARC has gained

continued, thanks to Liz and Najib Habesch of

momentum in its efforts to connect with our

Wethersfield who held one on Sept. 18, 2014,

legislators, in order to promote adequate state attended by many legislators, and Susan and

Above top: The 2014 Have a HARC Day chaired by Rep. Ed Vargas with Reps. Brian Becker, Tony Geurrera and Senator Paul Doyle and participants, David and Ann Margaret. Above: The 2015 Have a HARC Day chaired by Rep. Jeff Currey. Shown speaking is HARC parent, Joe Duffy with HARC Senior VP Greg Grant and VP Residential, Marian Leist.

Below top: At the Staunton’s Legislative House Party, left to right: Greg Grant, Senior VP, HARC; Rep. Brian Becker of West Hartford; Susan, Jennifer and Vincent Staunton; Below bottom: At the Habesch’s Legislative House Party, left to right: Sen. John Fonfara; Andrea Barton Reeves; Rep. Russ Morin; Senator Paul Doyle; former HARC Board member, Billy Ciotto; Rep. Tony Guerrera; Liz and Najib Habesch.

funding. With the goal of educating legislators

Vincent Staunton of West Hartford, who held

about the needs of families and participants

theirs on Sept. 23, 2014 which was attended by

challenged by intellectual disability and the

Reps. Brian Becker and Beth Bye. Our thanks

needs of private providers like HARC who

to both families for continuing this important

support them, while also educating families

initiative. If you would like to host a House Party

about the legislative process and building

be sure to contact Fred Stula at 860. 218. 6089.

bridges of communication, Fred and HARC

We thank Rep. David Kiner of East Windsor

have done tremendous work and accom-

and Enfield, who toured HARC in September

plished much. Last year’s Have a HARC Day

and introduced three bills to the legislature on

on Feb. 11, 2014, and this year’s on Feb.10,

behalf of HARC. He also placed a large order

2015 provided round table discussions

for ArtSparks notecards to write notes to

chaired by Reps. Ed Vargas(14) of Hartford

constituents!

and Jeff Currey(15) of East Hartford, and were attended by many legislators including, Reps. Brian Becker of West Hartford, Mike Demicco of Farmington, Tony Guerrera of Wethersfield, Senator Paul Doyle, HARC friend and former board member, Billy

“Gold-medal” employee, Bernard with Dave Galotti, Manager of West Hartford Stop & Shop.

Stop & Shop Honors For eighteen years HARC participant, Bernard Bernard! has been a “gold-medal” employee according to Dave Galotti, Manager of the West Hartford Stop & Shop. To honor Bernard’s many Special Olympic gold medals and his place in the hearts of his employer, co-workers and customers, Stop & Shop held a party for him and donated $1,000 to CT Special Olympics which Bernard has loved for all these eighteen years. Way to Go, Bernard!

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Clockwise from above top: Fred Stula, center, and Renee Walkley, far right, along with LEP participants, Jane, (pink sweater) and Tonya (red shirt) handing out Thanksgiving Day greetings at the Legislature; Rep. David Kiner with LEP participant, Richard; Fred Stula, HARC’s new Director of Government Advocacy & Community Affairs.

Serving people with intellectual and related disabilities

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Hartford, CT Permit No. 751

HARC, Inc. 900 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT 06105-1985 www.harc-ct.org

Page 1 HARC Celebrates Record Breaking proceeds from 26th Auction

Page 4 HARC’s 27th Annual Auction

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Denim & Diamondss

R

CWA

U

Fred Stula has been busy!

HarcWalk & 5K Run! Join Us Sunday, May 3!

LK &

N HA

Page 3 Gold-Medal Bernard is Honored by Stop & Shop

The Eleventh Annual HarcWalk & 5K Run will be held on Sunday, May 3,

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will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Page 3 HARC’s Director of Government Advocacy & Community Affairs

K R

2015 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. Our Walk&Run is open to the public and we look forward to seeing community friends join our families, participants, supporters and staff for a fun morning in support of HARC’s mission. While the Walk is free and non-competitive, registration for the Run is $25 and timing will be managed by Plattsys Timing Services of Manchester. We will again have medals for event attendees raising $50 or more and for runners who beat their best 5K time in the Speed Challenge.

We are again offering family sponsorships for $250. CoChairs of the event, Susan Staunton and Greg Calnen, both of West Hartford, are once again looking forward to welcoming everyone to the event! Be sure to join us for a great Sunday morning. Come as a team or on your own

Go to www.harcwalkrun2015.kintera.org to learn more and

and enjoy the camraderie, free snacks and water, bounce house for the children, and terrific silent auction items!

register!

HARC Thanks its Corporate & Community Supporters Our corporate & community supporters are very important to us, and we want to express our gratitude for their loyal and generous support of HARC’s mission. With their help we truly are changing lives and changing minds.

Go to the HARC website home page to see the loop of HARC’s Corporate supporter logos / www.harc-ct.org

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