Allen S. Gouse, president and chief executive of Windsor nonprofit Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, is retiring after 26 years in the position.
Easterseals, which supports people with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families across central and eastern Connecticut, says Gouse is departing the organization after significantly increasing its funding, services and programs across the region.
During his tenure, Gouse helped secure $2.5 million in funding for the development of Easterseals’ Veterans Rally Point service center. He also played a key part in raising $2 million for capital projects, $1.8 million for employment services for seniors and $500,000 for vital services for the state’s homeless veterans population.
Gouse also expanded the organization’s service footprint from seven Hartford-area towns to 77 municipalities across Hartford, Tolland, Windham, New London, and Middlesex counties. The local Easterseals chapter served more than 3,600 individuals in 2019, up 157% over a two-year period.
Prior to joining Easterseals in 1994, Gouse served for several years as deputy commissioner of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services.
“Allen’s commitment to people with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families makes our community a better place for all of us to live,” said V. Vanessa Williams, chair of the organization’s board of directors.Â
Easterseals is a national organization with dual headquarters in Chicago and in Washington, D.C. Founded more than 70 years ago, Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut operates offices in Windsor, East Hartford and Norwich.
