| 1955 |
- A group of parents meet to help their children with intellectual
and developmental disabilities. There were eight founding families, including Renee Bolt,
Shirley Eich, Georgiana Czaja, Gert Levy, Gladys Glidden, Rita
Ellers and Wendy Kittridge.
- Group successfully petitions Middletown Board of Education to
admit children with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the public schools.
Classes started in the basement of the school.
|
| 1956 |
- Group incorporates as Middletown Association of Parents and
Friends of Retarded Children.
|
| 1958 |
- Religious classes for children with disabilities begin at the Cenacle.
- Eileen Hilsdon, 3rd President, hired Roberta Hennessey and Hilda
Way to start day care at the Methodist Church in Middletown.
|
| 1963 |
- Preschool for children with intellectual and developmental
disabilities opened.
- Purchased Carry-All with MARC sign on door and hired bus driver.
|
| 1964 |
- MARC Program moved to Saddle Hill Church.
|
| 1965 |
- Agency name changed to Middlesex Association for Retarded
Children.
|
| 1970 |
- Beth Ann Casman named part time CEO.
|
| 1971 |
- First meetings of MYARC (Middlesex Youth Association for
Retarded Citizens) at Trinity Church under direction of Brother J.
Robert Houlihan. Students from Xavier and Mercy High Schools serve
as volunteers. The program moved to Xavier High School six weeks
later.
- Day care moves to East Hampton Junior High with student
assistance.
|
| 1972 |
- Jeannette Hodge, part time CEO, part time Recreation, had office
at the First Congregational church in Middletown.
- Thursday Program held first Turkey Dinner (kids made dinner for
parents) which later became a fundraiser.
|
| 1973 |
- Roberta Hennessey and Hilda Way retire from day care.
- Office moved to YMCA, shared office with teen group (OZONE).
|
| 1974 |
- Agency name changed to Middlesex Association for Retarded
Citizens, reflecting change in emphasis to provide services for
persons over the age of 21 and not just children.
- Jeannette Hodge becomes full time CEO.
- Attended PPTs, made sure schools wrote down everything for
children.
|
| 1975 |
- Office and program moved to Long Hill School, KUHN downstairs,
MARC upstairs. School inadequate for people with more serious
disabilities.
- Middletown Emblem Club, Jr. Women's Club, CB Group helped to
raise money.
|
| 1978 |
- Joan Neely hired as School Director. Two teachers and students
move into Spencer School.
- Original "MARC Kids" graduate from Long Hill School.
|
| 1979 |
- Office moved to Hartford National Bank on Main Street,
Middletown. Adult Program worked out of First Congregational Church
on Court Street, instructors taught living skills, activity program.
- Jeannette Hodge started Mothers Club (a very strong group) for
support and fundraising; tried to purchase Stillman School
(unsuccessful).
- Began discussion about group homes collaborative with 2 or 3
other ARCs.
|
| 1980 |
- MARC celebrates its 25th anniversary.
- MARC looks at various sites to relocate.
|
| 1981 |
- MARC building on 12 Fairview St., Portland opens. Dedicated May
3, 1981. Building previously owned by Knights of Columbus. Joe
Carney played a large role in obtaining building.
- Day Program moved to Portland. Town would not allow participants
upstairs, therefore offices upstairs.
- "Put MARC on Wheels" campaign to raise money to purchase bus, by
Jeannette Hodge in conjunction with sponsors Jr. Women's Club.
- Jane French named CEO of MARC in October.
|
| 1982 |
- "Room to Grow" program established in Portland to meet needs of
recent high school graduates. Emphasized vocational and job
readiness skills to prepare participants for community based
employment.
- MARC Group Home, Inc. formally incorporated.
- MARC I opened on grounds of Powder Ridge Ski Resort. It was the
first group home in the midstate region operated by a community
organization. Group home for six men. Received a $5,000 grant from
Eunice Kennedy Shriver for this endeavor. When original owner of
Powder Ridge died, verbal agreement ended and group home moved to
Cromwell, operated by Lutheran Child and Family Services.
- Participants graduated high school (attendance certificates).
|
| 1983 |
- MARC II opens on 36 Warwick Street as group home for 6 women.
- A popcorn machine, donated by the Mothers Club, a business
venture for new graduates, opened at Portland Youth Services. It was
sold to the Baptist Church at the end of the venture.
- MARC shifted from activity to work program.
|
| 1984 |
- First full time recreation director hired to expand recreational
and leisure time options in the community.
- MARC I moved from Powder Ridge to 609 Main Street, Middletown.
- MARC I group home gets a seventh resident.
|
| 1985 |
- Community Experience Program (CEP) begins, providing services
for individuals with severe disabilities.
- MARC's Gift Shop "Top Drawer" opens at 54 Walnut Street
providing retail experience for the Room to Grow participants.
- MARC III opens at 26 Sherry Drive in East Hampton.
- MARC's Business (formerly "Top Drawer") moves from Walnut Street
to 701 South Main Street in Middletown. Name becomes MARC's Gift
Shoppe.
|
| 1986 |
- Open House at new Middletown program site, 129 River Road.
|
| 1987 |
- Supported Employment Program established, a program that matches
MARC participants with community employers. On the job supports are
provided by a MARC job coach as needed.
- Margaret Gould named CEO. (Served until 8/1995)
- Work Services Program, the core "in-house" program area, expands
its subcontracting business.
- The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
accredits MARC's Work Services Program for the first time.
|
| 1988 |
- MARC II moves from Warwick Street to 142-144 East Main Street,
Middletown.
|
| 1989 |
- MARC Group Home Inc. disbanded and administration of its program
was assumed by MARC, Inc. Supported living arrangements were begun
for individuals ready to live in the community with minimal
supports.
- The Opportunities for Older Adults Program is established to
meet the needs of those in the MARC community who have reached
retirement age. Its objective is to provide the retirees with a
stimulating, community based experience.
|
| 1990 |
- Family support services started to provide advocacy and other
supports for families with adult children living at home as well as
members of the community at large in need of our services.
- MARC receives 3-year accreditation from CARF for the second
time.
- MARC's 1st Annual Road Race fundraiser held.
- MARC applies for a Community Development Block Grant to make the
Portland building on 12 Fairview Street accessible.
|
| 1991 |
- Agency officially changed its name to MARC: Community Resources,
Ltd. to reflect the change in language in reference to people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities and inclusion in the community.
- Residents from MARC I move from Main Street to 1A Sanford Lane,
Cromwell.
- Residents from MARC II move from East Main Street to 62 Chestnut
Street in Middletown.
- Day Program moved from 129 River Road to 80 East Main Street,
Middletown.
- Jeffrey Footit, self-advocate, Marian Cooke and Dolly Footit
attended an international conference on self-advocacy in Paris,
France.
|
| 1992 |
- New Strategic Planning effort begun; new mission statement
developed. "The mission of MARC: Community Resources, Ltd. is to
facilitate the process of inclusion for individuals with
developmental disabilities as valued participants within their
community."
- Residents from MARC III in East Hampton move in to new Group
Home at 12 Dolores Road, Portland.
|
| 1993 |
- Home Ownership Program begins, designed to enable people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to own their own homes.
- Family Intervention Program begun to provide an at home advisory
service to families of persons with challenging issues at home.
- MARC receives 3-year accreditation from CARF for the Work
Services and Supported Employment Programs.
|
| 1994 |
- Strategic Plan Updated.
- Steve Stern and John Mayoros moved into condo at Rivers Edge,
first residents involved in the Home Ownership Block Grant Project.
|
| 1995 |
- 40th Anniversary.
- Self-Advocates host first Statewide People First Meeting at
Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell. 60 Minutes filmed
the meeting, which would be aired in the fall.
- Elizabeth Warner serves as acting CEO.
- MARC helps host Team Martinique -MARC hosts a reception at 80
East Main Street, a picnic at MARC I and with MYARC a barbecue
and dance at Mercy High School for international visitors who attend
the Special Olympic World Games. Francis Whalen and Richard Weeks of
MARC I win awards in the bocce competition. Many MARC participants,
staff and board members attend these games.
|
| 1996 |
- Human Rights Committee formed.
- MARC IV Group Home opened at 19 Bellevue Terrace in Cromwell.
- David Faulkner named CEO.
- MARC expands Recreation Program to Shoreline area.
- Three year CARF Accreditation in Community Employment Services
and Personal, Social and Community Support Services
|
| 1997 |
- "Caring Families Program" started as an attempt to get donations
that would provide assistance to people with little or no family
involvement.
|
| 1998 |
- Carol Grabbe becomes the first self-advocate to be elected as a
full voting Board member at MARC.
- 43rd Annual Meeting "Making Dreams Come True", speaker Carol
Grabbe, President of the Guardian Angels, MARC's Self Advocacy
group.
- Day Program moves from 80 East Main Street to 770 Saybrook Road
in Middletown.
- Family Fun Day held on the Shoreline to educate the community
about the services available from non-profits in the area. Sponsored
by MARC. Lisa Carberg from Channel 30 and Susan Townsley, Old
Saybrook Town Selectwoman, were the mistresses of ceremony.
- Elizabeth Warner, first as acting CEO, then named CEO.
|
| 1999 |
- 44th Annual Meeting "The Sky's the Limit", speaker Charlan
Corlies, coordinator of CT's Self Determination Initiative.
- Strategic Plan updated.
- 3-year CARF Accreditation in Community Employment Services and
Personal, Social and Community Support Services.
- New Mission Statement developed: "MARC: Community Resources,
Ltd. supports and encourages the choices of individuals with
cognitive disabilities."
- Russell Contaras becomes the second self-advocate to become a
full voting Board member at MARC.
- MARC's booth awarded second place at the Middlesex Chamber of
Commerce Business Expo.
- Founding Families reunited at several luncheons to discuss the
past, present and future of MARC.
|
| 2000 |
- 45th Annual Meeting "Looking Back to the Future", guest speaker
Jeannette Hodge, MARC's first full time CEO.
- Repairs done on administrative office building in Portland.
- The officers from the Guardian Angels, MARC's self-advocacy
group, attend the National Self-Advocacy conference "Ride the Wave"
held on Labor Day weekend in Providence, RI. Attending: Carol Grabbe, Russell
Contaras, Melinda Brock and Tawnia Pacheco (facilitator).
- Board of Directors convenes a committee to support children and
families.
- Committee on Children and Families places an ad in the
Middletown Press to convene a Children's Focus Group to explore the
extent and nature of the need for services for children with special
needs.
|
| 2001 |
- Saturday for Kids Program opens doors to children with
disabilities.
- 46th Annual Meeting held in January. No formal celebration due
to planned change to October date.
- MARC facilitators Rhonda Barone and Pam Sidoti attend the
Association of Persons in Supported Employment Conference in
Washington, DC in July to present MARC's holistic approach to
providing person centered services using the comprehensive approach
with our protocol "Person Centered Planning: A Protocol to Action".
- Annual Meeting Celebration - October - guest speaker Ernie
Panscofar, Person Centered Planning Consultant, "Person Centered
Planning: The Pursuit of Hopes and Dreams".
- MARC's booth awarded first place at the Middlesex Chamber of
Commerce Business Expo.
- Guardian Angels President and Vice President made a presentation
on disabilities at Xavier High School.
|
| 2002 |
- Strategic Plan 2002-2004 developed.
- Tip A Fireman - a new annual fundraiser for the Saturday for
Kids Program, held in conjunction with the Tuscany Grill and the
Middletown Fire Department in March.
- Guardian Angels develop and adopt new bylaws at their first
Annual Meeting held in February.
- Laura Hastillo, newly hired as Director of Education and
Advocacy, becomes the permanent facilitator for the Guardian Angels.
- Ken Campanelli and Scott Thayer, two members and officers of the
Guardian Angels, attend, on their own, a SABE Conference in Buffalo,
NY in September.
- Annual Meeting Celebration - October - guest speaker Jamie Lazaroff,
self- advocate, "Doing It My Way".
- MARC offers a new community living option, Comprehensive
Rehabilitation Services, in December.
|
| 2003 |
- Board of Directors revises mission statement in January to read
"The mission of MARC: Community Resources, Ltd. is to support and
encourage the choices of people with disabilities."
- 3 year CARF Accreditation in Community Employment Services and
Personal, Social and Community Support Services.
- Guardian Angels Second Annual Meeting honored Community Living
Assistant Margaret Lassen for her "above and beyond" volunteerism
for the group.
- HIPAA: MARC takes steps to ensure that the confidentiality of
health information of the individuals we serve is maintained
according to federal regulations.
- Business Advisory Council's Annual Breakfast Meeting with guest
speaker Scott Haney, WFSB Channel 3 Weatherman.
- MARC adopts a new tagline - "Opening Doors to Independence" to
be incorporated in all printed materials.
- MARC's website is online in July. The website was donated by
Dean Jacques of Content Design.
- Annual Meeting Celebration - October - guest speaker Patti Anne
Vassia, President of the Middlesex Community Foundation.
"Almost Fifty".
- Guardian Angels host bus trips to New York City and Boston as a
fundraiser and are open to the community.
|
| 2004 |
- Guardian Angels -Third Annual Meeting - honored Lynne Jacques
for her fundraising efforts for the group. New officers elected:
Bill Berry, Christine Bysiewicz, Ken Campanelli and Nancy Carnow.
- Building at 421 Main Street in Cromwell purchased on June 2nd
for renovation for MARC's Vocational and Leisure Services currently
housed at 770 Saybrook Road, Middletown.
- Business Advisory Council's Annual Breakfast Meeting held at
Middlesex Community College with guest speaker Kevin Wilhelm,
Director of the Middlesex United Way.
- Four Guardian Angels present about Independent Living at the
Statewide People 1st Conference.
- October - Renovations begin at the new building at 421 Main
Street in Cromwell.
- December 28, 2004 - Move into 421 Main Street, Cromwell
for the new home base for Vocational and Leisure Services.
- Guardian Angels President and Vice President and advisor attend
National Self-Advocates Conference in Anaheim, CA.
- Two Guardian Angels members present at AAMR Region X Conference
in Mystic.
|
| 2005 |
- Guardian Angels - Fourth Annual Meeting - honoring Donnalynn
Petrella for her support of the group.
- Opening Doors Capital Campaign is launched.
- Two Guardian Angels members appear in Connecticut Public
Broadcasting Television documentary
about people with disabilities, "The Challenge".
- Open House for the Cromwell Vocational and Leisure Services building
is held June 29.
- 50th Annual Meeting celebrating Decades of
Distinction on October 6 at the Wadsworth Mansion
in Middletown.
- 1st Gala Auction held November 19 at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown.
|
| 2006 |
- Guardian Angels represented by Bill Berry and Christine
Bysiewicz at National Self-Advocates Conference (SABE) in Atlanta,
Georgia.
- 51st Annual Meeting celebration on October 19 - Celebrating the
arc in MARC: advocacy, respect and choice.
- Guardian Angels testify at CT Legislature to advocate for people
with disabilities to be added to the Hate Crimes Legislation. The
measure passed.
|
| 2007 |
- Board of Directors revises mission statement in January to read
"MARC: Community Resources empowers adults and children with
intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their dreams
and make choices about their lives. To honor and help fulfill these
dreams, MARC provides people with choices for housing, employment,
and social/recreational life."
- MARC adopts a new tagline - "Empowering people with
disabilities to realize their dreams" to
be incorporated in all printed materials.
- Guardian Angels testified at the Connecticut Legislature on respectful language
and in support of changing the name of DMR.
- 2nd Gala Auction: Gatsby on the Green held on May 5th at the
Tournament Players Club in Cromwell. Almost 200 persons were in
attendance.
- The DMR name change bill was passed by the Legislature and
was signed by Governor M. Jodi Rell on May 30th. The new name,
Department of Developmental Services (DDS), takes effect on
October 1, 2007.
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