As Disability Awareness Month draws to a close, we want to take a step back in time to where it all began.
No More Cages
One mom’s commitment to her son fanned the flame that would turn KenCCID into a reality. In the 1970s, the courts had started ordering individuals with disabilities be removed from state-run institutions. These orders came on the heels of bone-chilling investigations into the now infamous Pennhurst State Institution. Imagine the horror of individuals confined to cages because of their disabilities.
The closure of these institutions meant that families had to seek alternate resources to house and care for individuals with disabilities. One mom, Ruth, seized the opportunity to create a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of loved ones with disabilities in the community. Her son, Steven Frank, was one of the first occupants of KenCCID’s community homes.
Opening Day – The Dawn of a New Era
The charter for KenCCID was signed in 1974, with its first Community Living Arrangement (CLA) opening in 1977. At the time of its opening, KenCCID welcomed three individuals from families and three from the infamous Pennhurst State Institution. KenCCID designed its support systems to center the individual with disabilities. KenCCID would enhance its services using Personal Outcome Measures®.
Signing the original charter in 1974 with Ruth and the other founders of KenCCID.
The image above shows KenCCID founding members signing KenCCID’s Incorporation in 1974. Seated is Mrs. Ruth Frank. Standing from left to right are Teresa Vanderwoude, Barbara Bortell, Ellie Farsteinberg and Joan Hecht
Looking To The Future
Since then, KenCCID has continued to grow, and currently serves close to 50 individuals at 30 sites across Northeast Philadelphia. KenCCID works diligently to provide individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities the skills necessary to achieve the outcomes they want in their lives. KenCCID encourages these individuals to fully participate in their own self-care, become responsible citizens and live a quality life as independently as possible.
At KenCCID, we continue to live out the commitment and devotion of one mother to her son. She looked at her son as the human that he was. He was not less than because of his disabilities. He was not something to be “fixed”. Instead, she fought to build a community that would see his disabilities as an opportunity to provide and enhance support services.
Although Ruth is no longer with us, her original commitment and passion to serve individuals with disabilities continues to fuel KenCCID to this day. Because of her vision, KenCCID continues to offer quality care, empowerment, choice, safety, and wellbeing to individuals with disabilities.