HRC Executive Director Patrick Ruppe Champions Housing for People with I/DD
Patrick Ruppe, Executive Director of the Harbor Regional Center, sat for an interview with HOPE, Inc. in January 2020 to discuss the importance of housing for people with I/DD . (HOPE)
Creating affordable homes is at the heart of HOPE, yet challenges to financing, acquiring, and renovating even a single unit of housing is at times daunting. This vital work is only possible because we partner with so many great mission-aligned agencies and leaders who help propel us forward. Recently, HOPE interviewed one such leader, Patrick Ruppe, the new Executive Director at the Harbor Regional Center (HRC). During this discussion, we had a chance to learn about his extensive experience empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and why housing is so critical to this work.
The making of the Regional Center system is the legacy of passionate parents, dynamic professionals, and legendary state legislators who worked together to open the doors and forge a new, more responsive way to improve the quality of life of people with I/DD. In 1965, the California Legislature determined that the best way to provide community-based services to citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families was through partnerships with local private sector organizations. These local organizations are known as Regional Centers. Since 1973, Harbor Regional Center has served clients with I/DD across the Southeast portion of Los Angeles County in the Harbor, Torrance, Long Beach, and Bellflower health districts. In fact, HOPE, Inc. was established in 1994 by HRC in Torrance in partnership with a group of concerned South Bay parents and friends. HOPE and Harbor Regional Center are a legacy partnership with a rich history of serving the community together for more than 25 years. As the Executive Director, Patrick continues this legacy by managing a team of 362 people committed to providing support, information, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Patrick working at Harbor Regional Center. (HOPE)
Before joining HRC, Patrick served people with I/DD in Orange County for 22 years. He began his career working with school-aged children as an interventionist with an applied behavior analysis service provider. During this time, Patrick helped develop behavioral-based preschool programs for children on the Autism Spectrum. Later, he joined the Regional Center of Orange County, where he held many roles, including service coordinator, middle and senior management, and finally, as Associate Executive Director.
He became aware of his passion for helping people with developmental disabilities during his first job in the industry. “I remember working with a child who had severe autism. I spent three days a week, two hours a day with him. My original goal was to get him to count to five. But after a year together, he was able to count to 10,000! He was an inspiration to me. That is when I knew I wanted to work with individuals with disabilities as a career.”
“It was not just a home, but a chance for him to learn to make decisions on his own.”
Patrick joined Harbor Regional Center in 2019 as the Director of Adult Services. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing all aspects of service coordination for HRC clients over age 22. A year later, he accepted the role of Executive Director amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis immediately forced him to address clients’ anticipated needs during the most significant public health emergency of our lifetime. Sadly, research shows the virus has a disproportionately negative effect on people with I/DD.
One step Patrick took was to partner with HOPE in providing emergency housing units for HRC clients impacted by the pandemic. HOPE was able to move resources to support this request. We set aside newly acquired and vacant units to provide alternative housing for HRC clients to shelter in place, quarantine, or recover from COVID-19. This outstanding accomplishment is possible thanks to the powerful mission that HOPE and Harbor Regional Center share, a commitment to creating safe, stable, and affordable homes for those we serve. Together we value providing homes that are the most inclusive within the community and the least restrictive option to leading full and active lives, even during challenging times.
Beyond this immediate step, Patrick explains how Harbor Regional Center and HOPE plan to address the housing needs of clients during these unprecedented times, “It has to be the whole nine yards,” he admits. “We have to find resources both on the housing side and on the service provider side, especially with COVID right now, because the people who have been providing services for 30 years are now at heightened risk, and this is limiting the resources available to the I/DD community. Regarding addressing long-term housing needs, if I wait even a couple of years to develop resources, there might be fifty more people who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.”
Patrick helped residents like Lea (pictured here) move into their new HOPE homes along Daisy Avenue and Redondo Avenue. (HOPE)
Patrick believes there has never been a more crucial time to create affordable housing for people with I/DD, as the cost of living in Southern California becomes increasingly expensive. In the coming years, he plans to expand the number of service providers and housing options available for HRC clients. He looks to HOPE to discover and assess what should be done next, including adding additional projects to the pipelines. HOPE knows where to look for external resources that expand the number of housing units available for HRC clients as they age. We continue to network with local governments, foundations, donors, and housing organizations to identify new and innovative funding opportunities and collaborations.
Patrick says, “I am excited about HOPE’s projects and our continued partnership producing homes to meet our clients’ diverse needs. We have the same goal, which is to expand resources to individuals, allowing them to lead their best lives.” He knows how important it is for Harbor Regional Center to continue to develop new housing resources for those they serve.
He is also aware of the importance of encouraging families who may be hesitant to support their child’s desire to expand their independence or move into affordable housing. It was the case with a young man Patrick worked with during his time working at the Regional Center of Orange County. This client was 27-years old at the time and living with his parents. However, he had dreams to go to college, work, and live with greater self-reliance. Patrick’s team came together and found a subsidized home close to the local community college where he could attend classes and start working at the local mall.
Patrick patiently encouraged this young man’s parents to consider his goals and independence, “It takes a supportive team to help facilitate this conversation. Parents have had to fight to protect their children for their entire lives, from childhood through their teenage years. Although this client’s mom was initially worried, the client stood up for himself and advocated for his needs. I saw the desire from this individual to live a more fulfilling life. Without housing, he would not have had that chance to flourish in this way. It was not just a home, but a chance for him to learn to make decisions on his own.”
Patrick’s role now is to ensure that supported living providers and housing agencies have the tools and resources needed to create positive housing outcomes for Regional Center clients. When asked what the word “home” means to him, Patrick responded that “a home is a place where you can be yourself. It’s your safe spot where you can develop who you are to your fullest potential.” He wants to foster the perspective that housing is not just a physical place but a home. “My team, along with HOPE, is always thinking about housing resources and how they can help clients meet their goals,” he says. “That is what makes me most proud. Pat Del Monico, my predecessor, did a great job. I want to continue to encourage that, so we can deliver more housing opportunities for those we serve.”
If you are a funder, local municipality, donor, or housing organization interested in partnering with HOPE and Harbor Regional Center in creating positive housing outcomes for people with I/DD, please email info@hope-homes.org.