Shelter Manager Roger Clark has Retired

It was 1998 when Roger Clark started working for the then Immaculate Conception Shelter & Housing Corporation as a security guard in the parking lot just once a week. Little did he know at the time that his weekly shift would become a career spanning more than 21 years.

Early in his tenure, Roger played a variety of roles, which included residential counselor and outreach case manager. Come October of 2002, however, the opportunity to become the agency’s Shelter Manager came along, and Roger was up for the challenge.

Roger struggled with his own demons in the past and feels that one of the biggest ways he has made a difference was by showing clients that if he can “stay clean and sober,” then anyone can. Many people that he knew during that once difficult time would come to the shelter, see Roger doing well, staying clean, and wanted to know how he did it. This was his biggest enjoyment. He encouraged those who relapsed and comforted them to “…just start over again,” and “You got this.”

The shelter of the early 2000s was drastically different than the one of today, and even more so once our current facility is renovated. Back then, most people slept on mattresses on the floor, while others sat in chairs. He recalls one brutally cold night during his first year as Shelter Manager when they served 164 men – the highest number in that basement at one time in all his years – protecting the most vulnerable from the extreme cold elements. He knows in his heart that lives were saved that night.

As he recalls the many years in the shelter, and the countless men that walked through those doors, many drunk or high, he still marvels that he never had problems with guys being disrespectful. These men, often at the very lowest point in their lives, always knew to appreciate the many food group volunteers that provided meals and a warm smile, making no judgements. He has been, and always will be, amazed by the generosity of the many food groups he has worked with over the years, some of which have been providing meals longer than his 21-year tenure at ImmaCare.

Roger recalls a time when a teen-aged girl ran out of the shelter in tears. Always making protecting the volunteers a top priority, he and the staff were worried that a client might have said something disrespectful or inappropriate to the young girl. Once she finally calmed down, and the tears stopped flowing, he was able to understand that this young girl hadn’t seen her dad in seven years, and as she was serving food, she saw him in line. She was so overwhelmed with emotion; her reaction was to drop everything and run. Once she settled down, she spoke with her dad, and they reconnected.

One accomplishment that Roger shared is his role in the agency receiving the first HUD certificates which moved shelter clients into permanent supportive housing, along with wrap-around case management services. It was a highly competitive process, and not all agencies were awarded certificates. Roger was part of the then Immaculate team that made the presentation, stating the case why we should be awarded the contract. With his help, we received the agency’s first HUD housing certificates, which directly impacted those served in the shelter.

Another accomplishment Roger is incredibly proud of is that in his position as Shelter Manager, he was able to directly help many people by hiring them. He wanted to give a chance to people that no one else would. It has always been one of his greatest personal achievements.

So much has changed during his two decades here, including perception. There was a time when the immediately surrounding neighborhood complained and blamed everything on “our guys,” but Roger says you don’t hear much of that anymore. Sure, a few grumblings now and then, but as an agency, we improved operations by remaining open 24/7 and not kicking everyone out early in the morning, which helped to prevent much of the loitering the surrounding businesses had once complained about. He’s proud of how far we’ve come as an agency to be part of the community, not just a nuisance.

It was a tough decision to retire, especially since Roger has been excited for the imminent Shelter Renovation Project to begin for quite some time. However, he feels the timing is right, and is looking forward to enjoying time with his kids. Executive Director Louis Gilbert said, “Roger Clark has been with the agency for more than half of its existence. He has played an integral role as we provided life-saving services to some of the most vulnerable in the Hartford area. Roger is part of our history, and though we will miss him, we wish him much happiness as he begins this next chapter in his life.”

Roger’s last day is Friday, May 10th. Feel free to wish him well here.