A quarter-century ago, Robinson & Cole, one of Hartford’s largest law firms, did something revolutionary that, in many respects, transformed the firm. It wasn’t adding a new department or investing is new technology. It was piloting a new supported-employment program with HARC — a Hartford-based nonprofit — to give people with intellectual disabilities a chance to work.
“In 1985, the job opportunities [for people with intellectual disabilities] were minimal; they could work in a kitchen or do maintenance” explained Stephen Becker, president and CEO of HARC, whose organization has run supported employment since the early 1970s. “There needed to be more.” That required new partnerships and new advocates — like David Hadden, now a senior partner at Robinson & Cole, who’s son, James (age 5 at the time) had intellectual disabilities.
“When we first piloted the program, a lot of the HARC clients would stay together [as a group] during the day,” Hadden explained, “but over time, they began to work more independently.” Today, the HARC clients are a seamless part of Robinson & Cole’s operations. And they hold many functions in the firm — under the support of an onsite job coach — from stocking supplies in the firm’s conference rooms to filing and mailing client bills. They even have their own designated office space.
Overall, HARC has about 130 clients placed at more than two dozen businesses under its supported employment program, including four at Robinson & Cole. Becker notes that for people with intellectual disabilities, work often takes on a heightened importance. “Our clients don’t often celebrate life’s usual milestones like high school graduation, marriage, or having children,” Becker explained. “They find value in work and the social inclusion of work.”
And it’s more than just the HARC clients who have benefited from the partnership with Robinson & Cole, according to Eric Daniels, a senior partner with the firm. “Being a lawyer can be stressful.” Daniels said, “Having the HARC clients here — and seeing the contributions they make to the firm — provides a level of perspective.”
It’s a perspective that Hadden likes to share with his clients as well. “I will often go out of my way to introduce my clients to our HARC employees,” Hadden said. “I think it really adds something to the client’s day.”
It’s added something to Robinson & Cole as well. “When we talk about the firm as a team,” said Daniels, “that includes our HARC employees. They are very much a part of our firm’s family.” This past November, Daniels and his wife, Pat, agreed to chair HARC’s annual auction. The proceeds exceeded $220,000, a record for HARC.
For Hadden, who was instrumental in getting the firm’s HARC partnership off the ground a quarter century ago, the most satisfying part has been seeing the program — and the clients — succeed. Through the years, the firm has employed nearly 15 HARC clients, including one who worked there for 20 years.
“To watch this grow from something experimental to what it is today,” Hadden said, “is very rewarding.” For all involved, it seems.
Stephen Becker, president and CEO, HARC
Stephen Evangelista, chief executive officer, New England Region of the Arthritis Foundation
David Hadden, senior partner, Robinson & Cole
Changes At Arthritis Foundation
Stephen Evangelista was recently named chief executive officer of the newly formed New England Region of the Arthritis Foundation. He was also appointed to the executive cabinet and will serve with the CEOs from nine other regions to work closely with the national staff and Board of Trustees.
Since 2001, he has served as president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation’s Northern and Southern New England Chapter, based in Rocky Hill. He was the 2005 recipient of the Clifford Clarke Award for Outstanding Leadership.
“The merger will also provide us with more funds to support vital research,” said Evangelista. The new region will serve approximately 2,781,000 adults and 13,200 children living in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and three counties in New York and will begin official operations Jan. 1.
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Henkel Helps Village
A donation from Henkel will help make the holiday season a bit brighter and a lot warmer for the children of the Village for Families & Children, Inc., a Hartford-based non-profit human services agency. For the third year in a row, Henkel Corp. of Rocky Hill has donated more than $4,000 to purchase new winter coats and individual gifts for the children of the Village. The gifts were distributed at the Village’s holiday party, which was also funded by Henkel.
