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connec ionFALL 2013 NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRICE CENTER

JOIN US Price Center Community Forum with Kerry Healey Tuesday, September 10, 2013 The Capital Grille, Chestnut Hill

In This Issue > 23rd Annual Gala 1 A Family Affair 1 CARF Accreditation 2 President’s Perspective 2 Day Hab Concert 2 Community Forum — Kerry Healey 3 Employment Success Story 4

Natalie Cole Introducing the 23rd Annual Price Center Gala Headliner — the Unforgettable

The 23rd edition of The Price Center Annual Gala intimate setting and this year will get the same promises to be an “Unforgettable” evening, thanks opportunity with Natalie Cole. to just-announced headliner Natalie Cole. There’s even an added bonus: Price Center The American singer, and actress has supporters who donate $3,000 or more as sponsors Michael Hurwitz (left) with his brother Stephen and wife become one of the most beloved female performers will be invited to a special pre-show VIP reception Nancy at Humanity House of her generation for hits like “ (An to meet Natalie over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Everlasting Love)” and “Our Love.” The winner Donor Profile: A Family Affair of 9 Grammy Awards, Cole is the the daughter In addition to her musical brilliance, Natalie’s With a mother like Pearl Hurwitz, it’s almost of legendary crooner and scored a personal story of struggle and of triumph after impossible to imagine that her son Michael huge hit in the 1990s with a re-recording of her late adversity also makes her a perfect selection as and his family would be anything but ardent father’s classic “Unforgettable” as a duet. this year’s Price Center Annual Gala headliner. Price Center supporters and donors. After becoming a runaway R&B star in the 1970s, Back in 1937, when her son Stephen was born “We are excited to have our biggest star ever she battled addiction problems but successfully with a developmental disability, Pearl refused this year with Natalie Cole,” Gala Chairwoman re-emerged as a pop star in the 1990s. She also to have him institutionalized like so many Michelle Fineberg said. “Our goal this year is began working in television after her comeback, other children of his generation and instead to have 800 people join us for this spectacular with guest appearances on shows like “Touched insisted he would be raised at home surround- evening of entertainment, food and fun.” The Gala by an Angel,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” ed by loving family. Michael, the older brother, is The Price Center’s major fundraiser of the year. and “Grey’s Anatomy.” was just six at the time, but he still remembers his mother’s resolve that Stephen be treated Building on the runaway success of the bigger, Cole was born in 1950 into a with dignity and respect. better 2012 Gala, the Oct. 12th event will return to household that was essentially American musical “It was a time when people like my brother the elegant main ballroom of the Boston Marriott royalty (she herself has referred to her family as were very much considered kind of a shame Copley Place. Last year’s guests got a rare chance “the black Kennedys”). As the daughter of Nat on the family,” said Michael, who lives in to see Broadway legend Bernadette Peters in an GALA, continued on page 3 A FAMILY AFFAIR, continued on page 3 Another Good Year in the Books

At the end of another Natalie Cole as our headliner. The Gala Committee fiscal year, I am glad to is very active in preparing for the event, which will report that The Price return to our new site, the Boston Marriott Copley Center had a good Place. This new venue allows us to accommodate Price Center Earns CARF year, both fiscally and more people, so please encourage all your friends programmatically. to attend. We need everyone’s help if we are Accreditation with going to reach our ambitious fundraising goals Flying Colors The year saw significant growth in our core for the event. employment and day habilitation programs, Call it the feel good story of the next three years. even as we continued with development of our On the personnel front, Director of Development Community Based Day Services Program. This Lois Cohen has left The Price Center. Rebecca CARF (the Commission on Accreditation of Re- program — which has been very popular with Lynch, who has done such good work with our habilitation Facilities) recently awarded The Price students turning 22 and transitioning into adult Employment Program around job development, Center a 3-year accreditation, issuing a glowing services — will make it easier for The Price Center has transferred to a position as Development report praising the agency’s administration, staff, to serve individuals on the autism spectrum. Associate in our development office, where she facilities and programs. will be working both on the Community Forum and Perhaps most importantly, the report praised Of course we also went through our annual Gala. I want to welcome Rebecca to this new role. The Price Center for achieving its core mission of rite of spring -worrying about the state budget. We will be interviewing to find a new job developer focusing on the needs of the individual to help Thankfully, implementation of the Chapter 257 rate for employment. them live a life of fulfillment and meaning. reforms has helped us quite a bit in funding our employment program and other day services. And Finally, we are in the last stages of finishing our “...Individuals receiving it gets better: We are also anticipating residential five year strategic plan and we will post it on our rate reform to be implemented for our residential website when it is completed. Thanks to everyone services are listened to and programs in the coming calendar year. who helped us with the plan. We are fortunate their personal goals and wishes to have so many dedicated staff, family members The Price Center Community Forum, a luncheon for a meaningful and full and donors. event that features business and community life are honored by the staff leaders, will continue to be a key part of our public Thank you for your continued generosity and members.” outreach efforts. I’m personally looking forward support. to hearing Kerry Healey, the former Lt. Governor Sincerely, “It is evident that the rights of persons served are and now President-elect of , speak respected and protected by staff members,” the about entrepreneurship and community-building report states. “A high level of dignity and respect at the Sept. 10 event. The last event with Charlie is given to each and every person.” Baker was a big success and we’re hoping for another good turnout. Justin Sallaway “It is abundantly clear that the individuals President receiving services are listened to and their The Annual Gala, as always, will be our big event personal goals and wishes for a meaningful and and this year’s edition is shaping up nicely with full life are honored by the staff members,” the report states. The report called Price Center President Justin Musicians Jazz Up Day Hab Program Sallaway “an experienced and knowledgeable individual who is dedicated to the advancement Participants and staff at the Newton Day of persons with barriers to independence” Habilitation Program got a special treat on July 12 and credited him with developing “many solid when Matt Mahoney and Kevin Greenstein from relationships” within the community. the band Semi-Good Lookin’, swung by to play an The report also commended The Price Center for: hour of jazz hits to a packed house. • Our ongoing strategic planning process and Matt, who lives in West Newton and plays the overall sound financial health; upright bass, came up with the idea after attending • Our newly redesigned website and the Newton/Needham Chamber of Commerce communication with families; Coffee Connect event sponsored by The Price Center. • Our positively-focused behavioral intervention Smiles abounded as Matt and Kevin (on the electric programs, and; keyboard) played favorites like “A Few of My • Our low staff turnover and excellent Favorite Things” and “.” Everyone at mentorship of new employees by veteran Border Street is eagerly looking forward to a repeat staffers. performance in the future. Charlie enjoys the concert. 2 Kerry Healey Speaks on Entrepreneurship and Community Building Wellesley, is a recognized leader in entrepreneurial In 2008, she was appointed by Secretary of State education and Healey will explore how to the Executive Committee entrepreneurs can create economic opportunities of the US Department of State’s Public Private while helping build strong, vital communities at Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan (PPP) the same time. and was reappointed in 2009 by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. From 2010-2013, Healey The Price Center Community Forum is an event founded and served as President of the Friends of series featuring engaging speakers and panels the PPP, a non-profit that provides scholarships built around the theme of creating robust, inclusive and training to Afghan lawyers. She serves on Kerry Healey communities. High-profile speakers from the numerous nonprofit boards, including the Pioneer Former Lt. Governor of and current worlds of business, philanthropy, entertainment Institute, American University of Afghanistan and Babson College President-elect Kerry Healey will and public service share their wisdom and Caritas Cubana. be the next speaker at the Price Center Community expertise and explore how robust communities Forum on Sept. 10, 2013. thrive and grow by exemplifying The Price Center’s Respected Fox 25 Boston anchor and journalist core values — making sure every person has a Maria Stephanos returns to emcee her second Healey will deliver a talk titled “Entrepreneurial place and is respected and valued for his or her Price Center Community Forum. Maria is known Thought and Action: Creating Opportunity, unique contribution to society. for her warm yet authoritative style and her Building Committee” at the Capital Grille in insightful presentation of issues and questions. Chestnut Hill. Guests will have the opportunity to Healey has an impressive resume of public service. network before the program and participate in a She served as the 70th Lieutenant Governor of the Tickets for the event are $50 and include a fabulous Q&A afterward. Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 2003 to Capital Grille luncheon. They are available through 2007. After leaving office, she was a Fellow at the The Price Center website at thepricecenter.org. Healey was recently named the first female Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics and President of Babson College. Babson, located in Center for Public Leadership.

GALA, continued from page 1 A FAMILY AFFAIR, continued from page 1 King Cole and former Orchestra platinum album, “Everlasting,” which featured the South Natick. “But she was a very firm believer singer Maria Hawkins Ellington, the young Natalie top 10 single “” and a dance that they shouldn’t be institutionalized, that they was exposed to the greatest singers of jazz, soul cover of ’s “Pink Cadillac.” In should be out in the community.” and virtually from birth. She performed on 1991 she solidified her comeback with the album His mother went on to become the head of both her father’s Christmas album at the age of six and “Unforgettable...with Love,” which eventually sold Massachusetts ARC and Boston ARC, lobbying began performing publicly by the time she was 11. 7 million copies in the US, becoming her best seller the State House for rights for the disabled. Mean- and winning a Grammy for Album of the Year. while, Stephen Hurwitz, 76, has been a shining Her Massachusetts connection began at age 15, community integration success story for nearly 40 when she enrolled at the elite Northfield Mount “Unforgettable” marked Natalie’s full embrace of years, thanks to The Price Center’s support at his Hermon School after her father’s death to lung her past, and included her own vocal arrangements Humanity House home in Brookline. cancer. She later attended UMass Amherst, of several of her father’s songs and piano graduating with a degree in Child Psychology. performances by her uncle, . The title song Over the years Stephen has become a beloved fix- ture in nearby Coolidge corner. Living with both blended her late father’s vocal performance with dignity and independence, he has regularly made Performing, however, was in her blood. After her own and became a runaway hit. graduation, she began performing in clubs with her the rounds of his favorite merchants, including a band, Black Magic, and caught the attention of a Since then, Natalie has continued to be a strong shoe store and a hair salon. Recent issues with mobility though, have limited Stephen’s excursions couple of -based music producers, Chuck performer and a survivor, battling through liver into the busy village center. However, Michael Hur- Jackson and Marvin Yancey. The trio returned to and kidney disease and eventually having a kidney witz said that those needs that Stephen cannot Cole’s hometown of Los Angeles, where Natalie transplant in 2009. Later that year, she not only provide for himself are ably fulfilled by The Price signed a deal with , her father’s made a stage comeback at the , Center’s staff at Humanity House. old label. but also achieved a lifelong dream of performing “If it were not for The Price Center, all this responsi- at the Christmas Extravaganza with the Mormon bility would become our (family’s) responsibility,” he A string of hits followed, including “This Will Be” . and “Inseparable,” earning her a Grammy Award said. “They’ve been fabulous. Very caring.” for Best New Artist, a string of gold and platinum Doors for Natalie’s performance at The Price Center Michael says while he isn’t rich, he considers albums and appearances on television specials Gala will open at 6:15 p.m. After the show, guests donating to The Price Center (he and two other including “Sinatra and Friends.” In 1979, at the will enjoy creative drinks, gourmet food and more siblings give through a family trust) an essential tender age of 29, she was awarded her own star musical entertainment. part of carrying on his mother’s legacy of caring on the . for people like his brother. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online “We feel it’s very important to do what we can to After a career and personal detour during the at thepricecenter.org or by telephone from The help,” he said. “There’s always a need.” 1980s, Natalie came back strong in 1989 with a Price Center Development Office at 617-244-0065. 3 The Individual is Our Focus Prsrtd Std U.S. Postage Paid Canton, MA Permit No. 113

38 Border Street West Newton, MA 02465 617-244-0065 www.thepricecenter.org

Board of Directors Rick Sheehy, Chair E. Scott Laughlin, Vice Chair Gil Manzon, Treasurer Peter Mahler, Secretary Lewis Bergins Allen Davis Mary Flynn Michelle Fineberg Marshall Hughes Greg Schaffert Mandy Sweeney

Justin Sallaway, President

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