Long-time RTR Member Affectionately Known as the “Mayor of Plymouth”
Road to Responsibility (RTR), one of the region’s largest and most successful nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently hosted an event in memory of Alexander “Alec” Howland Howes.
Howes was a long-time member of the organization’s Plymouth OPTS (Opportunities for Positive Transitional Services) program. Following his passing on February 28th, Howes’s sister and brother awarded RTR with a generous donation in their brother’s memory. In lieu of flowers, many of Alec’s family and friends also made donations to RTR in his honor.
Family members and RTR staff were on hand during the May 26th ceremony when a plaque was unveiled, naming the Plymouth OPTS program’s lobby after Alec. Also attending the event was Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonald, a case manager for Howes in years past and a forever friend. McDonald shared many memories of Alec, capping the ceremony with smiles and laughter.
In honor of Alec’s favorite color and snacks, the lobby was festooned in a sea of red with Coca-Cola and a variety of tasty “junk” food served.
Although Howes was a resident of Kingston, he was a well-known figure in Plymouth, enjoying daily walks, shopping excursions, and keeping up with local happenings in the town that affectionately dubbed him “mayor.”
Over the years he worked at several area markets, restaurants and at L. Knife & Sons.
“Alec will always be remembered for his dedication to his work and great sense of humor,” said Christopher White, Ed.D., CEO of Road to Responsibility. “He was a true friend to many and to say that he is missed is an understatement.”
About Road to Responsibility, Inc.
Celebrating over 30 years of making lives better, Road to Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) was established in 1988 with the overarching belief that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to have full, rich, and rewarding lives in the community, and therefore works to provide the means, the opportunity, and the support necessary to allow citizens with disabilities to take their place as productive members of the community. RTR offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. RTR supports individuals with very diverse needs, including those with significant challenges who would otherwise go unserved if not for RTR. It succeeds where other organizations often fail, through the use of an integrated clinical behavioral approach. This model has proven successful and yielded positive results for the organization and the individuals served.
Road to Responsibility offers services to almost all the towns and communities throughout the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts, operates 49 residences as well as co-operative and supportive living apartments, and manages nine day-service locations that focus on education, employment, and community enrichment. Road to Responsibility’s main office is located at 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. For more information, please visit www.roadtoresponsibility.org.
