b'Steven Widerman He adds, Did [living at the Village] Steven Widerman is the sonbear fruit for my brother Arthur? Boy, of founders Shirley and Williamdid it ever! The Village was a panacea Widerman, and the younger brotherfor him, and thus for my parents and of Arthur, who lived at New Englandme. The vision and commitment of Village for 39 years before his passingtwo generations of residents families in 2018.produced for Arthur his own Village Reflecting on the formativefamily of staff members who were years of the organization, the life hishis parental caregivers in health brother experienced at NEV, and theand sickness, and of fellow Village responsibility of the next generationresidents who were his latter-day of supporters, Steven says, I am stillsiblings. The result for Arthur was struck that the founders vision didnta wonderful quality of life right to come from a government initiative,the end, enabling him to reach his from academics or experts, or fromfull potential as a disabled adult in a17an advocacy groups agenda. Thatcommunity of his own.vision came from committed familiesArthur and Steven Widerman In looking ahead, Widerman says, Our First 50 Yearswho care and simply wanted to realizeEven though Arthur is gone, I will a better world for their disabled adultalways consider myself a caretaker child.of the founding families legacy so that it benefits others. Going forward, the Village will depend on the current generation of residents parents and siblings to step forward as its hands-on caretakers, not only by supporting the Village financially but by participating in its future.Arthur and Steven WidermanNEV_50Year_95x95_v5Final.indd 17 6/8/22 4:32 PM'