It began with a song and a promise, as the Age of Aquarius ushered in a new decade of the s. The song talked about a journey and a vision. Marrakech really began with a young woman named Valerie Chain. Francis Francie Brody, also an undergraduate at Yale during this time, was interested in the developmental disability field, and through her friendship with Susan, came to know Valerie and her friends well. Both Susan and Francie recognized the many capabilities of these women and wanted them to have the opportunity to move toward independence.
This was what led them to the revolutionary idea to build a halfway house specifically for women with intellectual disabilities. At the time, there were no halfway houses in Connecticut for this population. The New Haven Regional Center had been trying to begin a group home for five years, however, administrative problems and a lack of funds thwarted their attempts.
But the movement away from institutionalization had already taken hold philosophically. Susan and Francie may have been young and idealistic, but they were unencumbered by any foreknowledge of the frustration and bureaucracy they would be facing. They thought it was simple: New Haven needed a halfway house, and they would start one. With the guidance of the Regional Center staff and Dr. The Marrakech House opened as a summer pilot program on June 20, , after three months of careful preparation.
Eight young women, including Valerie, spent the summer in a sublet, supervised apartment on Crown Street in New Haven. Sarason proved to be our staunchest ally and yet our most critical observer," said Susan.
He wrote critical letters of support; he listened to our smallest problems, and he helped immeasurably whenever we needed him. Walter Wagoner of the New Haven Legal Assistance helped them incorporate as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation.
