Harry Gregor and Josie Perez
Families have always been the cornerstone of BARC’s success from the beginning and families have been involved ever since.
Without the many devoted family members of our Clients, BARC would not be sixty years strong and growing. A great example of how family involvement makes a difference at BARC is seen in the Gregor family. Harry and Claire Gregor’s family involvement and dedication to both their daughter Dede and BARC, stretches back over 50 years. At the suggestion of the Crippled Children’s Society, where Dede was receiving speech therapy, Harry and Claire Gregor placed Dede in the BARC preschool. The Gregors loved the atmosphere and care Dede received and once she moved on to elementary school at Greeley, the Gregors continued their involvement with BARC.
Seeing first hand the difference that could be made and knowing that Dede would need someplace to feed her mind and provide her opportunities after graduation, Harry and Claire devoted countless hours to BARC activities and fundraisers. Harry especially enjoyed working in the Kern County Fair booth as he was a people person who could talk to anyone and did – every chance he got. Claire was asked by Hy Seiden, another long-time BARC parent and Board member, to serve on the Board of Directors during his tenure as President of the Board; a position she proudly held until 2009 when she turned over the reins to her son Dan.
Claire fondly recalls, “Parent involvement was nearly 100% and the monthly spaghetti feed was always overflowing with families. We accomplished many great things, even when finances sometimes impeded the ability to provide services.” She sees the growth of the BARC facility and the expansion of services provided as a testament to the power of community and family involvement. With Harry Gregor’s passing this year he will be missed and remembered for decades to come for all that was built upon BARC’s foundation that he helped to secure for future generations of Clients and Families.
Looking forward, Claire stresses the need to start educating the new parents of developmentally disabled children now. “They (the young parents) are the key to a grassroots movement. You have to educate them on what is available for their children as they grow and to get in there and fight for the kids,” she says.
Just as critical to BARC’s Mission of Giving People Purpose was the dedicated work of Josie Perez, long time Client Coordinator. Josie Perez was more than a Client Coordinator though. To BARC’s clients she helped make dreams come true. In addition to her duties on campus, for many years she volunteered her time to operate Camp KEEP and was instrumental in initiating our trips to Hawaii.
Josie was a mother and grandmother to all. She developed skills and renewed self-esteems. Josie did not see Individual differences but accepted individualized and special characteristics. She saw beauty from the inside out. Claire Gregor could not agree more, saying “We couldn’t have raised Dede without her. There will never be another Josie.”
Josie passed away in 2010. Due to her dedication the California State Department of Habilitation developed the Josie Perez award. Claire commented…BARC has achieved success in many areas, but one of the most significant has been the ability to expand the view of the world for their Clients.
Harry and Josie we all miss you but you will remain forever in our hearts.
Lisa Plank; Jim Baldwin
