Harc is a wonderful organizations that cares deeply about the people it serves. My daughter Alex is one of those people. During a recent Harc event that concluded with a dance, Alex let everyone know how much fun she was having by putting on the biggest smile ever! This is what Harc does to everyone it serves every single day: it puts a smile on their clients (and their families) faces. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, all you have to do is take a look at the attached to understand what Harc is all about!
As an employee for Harc over the last two years I have encounter caring people who are committed to Harc's mission. They truely live their mission everyday. It is an honor to work at Harc and make a difference in the lives of those we serve!
I've been a volunteer with Harc, Inc. since 2014 and joined the Board in 2016. During my time as a part of the Harc, Inc. family I've seen the extraordinary efforts the staff and management put forth to help our clientele achieve their goals.
In June of 2018 Harc, Inc. opened Richard's Cornerstone Connection - a community library dedicated to a client who achieved his life-long goal of learning to read. Without the unwavering support of the Harc, Inc. staff and management, along with an unbelievable group of corporate and community partners, his dream would not have come true.
It is an honor and privilege to serve an organization who insures their clientele can reach for the skies and soar.
Our son has severe developmental disabilities and has lived in a Harc group home for 24 years. He receives the finest care that can be provided and lives a comfortable and happy life. We could not possibly provide him with the care, the activities and the quality of life that he receives from Harc staff. Our family has constant interaction with our son and the staff at the group home and at his day program. Harc has given our son and our entire family the quality of life we hoped and worked for. Thank you Harc!
My daughter Saarin and I have been a "HARC Family" for many, many years. HARC provided support for us all the way through her school years and then had a supported employment site ready and happy to have her when she graduated out of the school system. She worked at that job site for 17 years and was recently very excited to move to another HARC job site. She has lived in a HARC group home for many years, benefitting tremendously, and she regularly participates in HARC's recreation programs. She and I get together every week and always see each other at HARC's events and celebrations. I recently retired from a 21 year career on the HARC staff, most recently as Director of Communications in the Development Department and was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to establish an art program in 1998, ArtSparks, for HARC's participants. Much to my delight, I am continuing this program in my retirement, and am so happy to continue to be part of the daily life of this wonderful organization. HARC truly makes a tremendous and positive difference in the lives of its participants and families!
Diana Appleton
I began working with HARC about three years ago and joined their Programs & Services committee this past year. I am in awe of the consistently demonstrated teamwork and collaboration across all the departments, focused on the same goal of providing quality work and life/life skills opportunities for those with physical and intellectual disabilities. The team is realistic about challenges and opportunities and focuses on celebrating small successes toward the achievement of major ones. I had the opportunity to visit a group home and found this same culture demonstrated by the home's leader and staff, via their consistent mantra that the residence/ home is for and about the residents of that home and that their role (the staff's) is to provide the right balance of support and guidance to ensure the best quality possible. The residents were unique individuals with clearly different needs and yet there was a spirit of family that resonated.
Founded 65 years ago in a living room by a small group of parents who wanted to help realize the maximum potential of their intellectually disabled children Harc, Inc. has remained a family centered life-saver that has helped to make this dream come true. Staff, volunteers, family members along with the community combine their dedication, creativity, imagination and support to make every day a bit better for those served. One of Harc's many shining stars is the Supported Employment Program where accomplishment, self-esteem and the encouragement of co-workers continually unwrap this wonderful potential. There is nothing greater in this world than to hear your daughter say: "Dad, I had a great day at work today. My co-workers and Harc helpers are wonderful!" Harc, Inc. helps Greater Hartford achieve a better tomorrow every day of the year.
Bob Cloonan, Harc, Inc. Volunteer, parent and supporter for 40+ years
I am relatively new to Harc so I'm just starting to fully realize the incredible depth of services, help and care Harc provides to families. I recall my my first visit to HARC and how utterly humbled I was by the incredible commitment and caring demonstrated by staff. Harc places great emphasis on caring for entire family throughout the journey of care. This is rare and results in better quality of life for everyone in family - so important.
I became a donor and volunteer for HARC because it is deeply committed and true to its mission of bringing inclusion and dignity to the clients it serves. The compassion of every employee and volunteer and joy of every participant moves me every time I'm in their presence. They truly make a difference in the lives of the families they serve.
Harc has been a part of my family since its early years. It has been an honor to be involved with such a caring organization that serves families and individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Harc family is a strong passionate group that will make everyone feel loved and know that they have the support from the staff at Harc. My aunt has been receiving services from Harc and she has flourished becoming extremely sociable with everyone. Without Harc's support and guidance, she would not be as admired in the community as she is now.
I have had the honor to be heavily involved with the organization from volunteering, working, Co-Chairing a fundraiser, Committee Member and now a Board Member. I look forward to continuing to help the organization spread the word about the caring individuals that work at Harc and provide service to our extraordinary individuals and families.
Harc, Inc. turns 65 years old this year and what a journey this organization has had! It was started by a small group of parents who needed some help and options for their children. It has grown over the years to provide service and support to individuals with intellectual disability, as well as to their families. Day programs, supported employment opportunities, group home and independent living, respite care and the chance to get out into the community, like everyone else are some of the ways Harc has evolved. My parents became involved with Harc many years ago because of my sister and for me to have served on the Board , now to see my son join the Board is a family journey that has brought joy and satisfaction to all of us, including my sister. The work this organization has done and continues to do is so vital for the independence and acceptance of our participants. I can hardly imagine what the next 65 years will produce, but I have no doubt it will be amazing!
I have been an employee at Harc for over 4 years and enjoy every single day at my job. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to interact with some of the most incredible people one could ever meet. Thanks to Harc, I feel that I am making a difference in the world and the lives of the people I am happy to serve each day.
For over 45 years, HARC has provided support services for our developmentally delayed son. HARC's specialized recreation, supported employment and individualized residential living programs have enabled our Jay to experience an unanticipated level of learning and personal independence! HARC's outstanding supports over the decades have also enabled the Guite family to successfully weather the challenges that our life journey has presented. Thank you HARC for being with & for us all!
Each board meeting there is an employee that tells their story. The story is on their development at HARC and the impact HARC has on them personally. I have listened to many stories of joy, hope and personal growth of HARC's employees in which directly impacts the people HARC serves. The passion for nothing less than excellence is exuded from the management team, the care they show to improve the services given to those that are in need is amazing to witness.