Life's WORC - Make a Difference

In the 1960's, the care of individuals with developmental disabilities was offered on an impersonal basis in large institutions. Often times, the care was ineffective. Occasionally, it was abusive. The most notorious case of abusive care was uncovered at the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island.

In a startling expose' of the abuses at Willowbrook, journalist Geraldo Rivera brought the horrors of Willowbrook into the living rooms of a shocked New York audience. Night after night, families gathered around their televisions in silence as Geraldo revealed the atrocities. Dinners went uneaten as people watched, listened and cried. Eventually, the tears turned to anger and a ground swell of outrage grew.

As a result of the expose' by Geraldo, Willowbrook was closed. From the demise arose a new spirit to provide effective, compassionate care of this special population. At the forefront of this movement was Vicki Schneps, the mother of a young lady who resided at Willowbrook. Ms. Schneps, along with a number of friends and Geraldo, formed WORC in 1971. This new agency was committed to the dignity and value of every individual, regardless of his or her physical condition. In 1977, the new group opened one of the first homes in New York State for people with developmental disabilities. The home is located in Douglaston, Queens, and is named in honor of Geraldo Rivera. Its first residents were all from Willowbrook.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• Life's WORC
• Geraldo Rivera
• Willowbrook
• Autism
• Developmental Disabilities