b'PrologueBefore the first 13 residents crossedWilliam Widerman, Ray and Irving the thresholds of their new homesHackmeyer, Eliot and Edyce Binder, at New England Village, before anyand Chester and Gladys Wolfe, all of groundbreaking ceremonies werewhom were familiar with one another ever held, there existed a groupfrom summer camps their children of families who wanted a betterattended. They, along with Maurice way of life for their soon-to-be- and Shirley Abrams, and Samuel adult children with intellectual andand Florence Kaitz, formed the developmental disabilities (I/DD).corporation New England Villages, They wanted their children to haveInc. in 1966. This tenacious group the opportunity to live meaningfulwould eventually become known as and purposeful lives, pursue theirthe Founding Families. dreams and realize their fullestWith a $216,000 grant from the US potential. But, it was the mid-1960sDepartment of Health, Education, & 6 and the residential options availableWelfare, the first order of business for adults with I/DD were limited, withwas to find a suitable property for institutionalization being the mostthe residential community theysummer day in 1969 when the New England Villagecommonnot much of an option atdreamed of for their children. ItWidermans were staying at their all. would take three years and a steadysummer home in Hanson. Bill and So, Leonard and Shirley Sheingoldfocus to accomplish the task, but itI came upon a 75-acre property joined forces with Shirley andall came together one warmknown as the Old Sutton Estate, Shirley Widerman once recalled. By that evening, an offer was made on the beautiful wooded property. And so the story begins. Opposite Page: Officials at 1972 dedication of New England Village at Pembroke. From left, Robert Briggs, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Dr. Leonard Sheingold, president of the Villages; Albert Schmickel, Executive Director; and Fred Krause, executive director of President Nixons Committee on Mental Retardation.NEV_50Year_95x95_v5Final.indd 6 6/8/22 4:32 PM'