Day Spring, the agency founded in 1989 by the families of loved ones who have developmental and intellectual disabilities, will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary by honoring its founders today, March 20 — Dr. John (Jack) and Gladys Ford.
The Fords will be feted at 6 p.m. tonight at the Community Resource Center on the Illinois Avenue campus of Day Spring.
A brief ceremony in the building’s community room will begin the celebration, according to a news release from Day Spring. That ceremony will include an official hanging of a portrait of the founders and what the release called “a surprise building dedication.”
The release noted that Jack Ford has been a leader in the local Catholic community for more than 60 years. He taught philosophy at local colleges and universities and considers the creation of Day Spring one of his major accomplishments. Day Spring now has two houses; each provides a home for seven adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Gladys Ford led the Cathedral Heritage Foundation as its chairperson in its early years and was a leader in the development of the Celebration Garden on the Illinois Ave. campus of Day Spring.
The event is the first in a series scheduled throughout 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Day Spring.