Celebrating 55 Years of Compassion: A Day to Remember RHD’s Historic Journey 

What an incredible day we had celebrating Resources for Human Development’s (RHD) 55th anniversary! As we gathered both in person and virtually to honor our remarkable journey from a bold experiment to a national network of compassion, the spirit of our founding vision filled our hearts with warmth and pride. 

From Humble Beginnings to National Impact 

On April 20, 1970, Resources for Human Development (RHD) was born from an audacious idea—an experiment in delivering human services differently. With just two staff members, a $50,000 budget, and unwavering determination, our story began in Philadelphia under the visionary leadership of Bert Wolfson, our first Board Chairman, and Bob Fishman, RHD’s founding CEO. 

Their dream was beautifully simple yet profoundly ambitious: to build a values-driven organization rooted in compassion, creativity, and care. Today, RHD’s values center on respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, fostering multi-level thinking to promote creativity and inclusivity. 

As our CEO, Brian Matthew Rhodes, Esq., reflected on this journey: “Over the past few years, we’ve weathered real challenges. At times, we were standing at the edge. But thanks to your commitment, your excellence, your grit, your fortitude, and your heart, we didn’t fall — we fought. And now, together, we rise.” 

As we reflected on 55 years of growth and impact, we celebrated how that small experiment has blossomed into something extraordinary. 

A Legacy of Empowerment 

Today, Resources for Human Development (RHD) stands as a testament to the power of staying true to our mission. We now provide person-centered, trauma-informed support to more than 50,000 people annually across 12 states. From behavioral health and intellectual disabilities services to homelessness support and addiction recovery, we remain steadfast in the mission that launched us: to empower people of all abilities to live independently and build better lives. 

The stories shared throughout the day reminded us why this work matters. Each program we’ve launched, every community we’ve entered, and all the lives we’ve touched represent the living legacy of those two pioneering staff members who dared to imagine a different way. 

Honoring Our Community of Support 

This milestone celebration wouldn’t have been complete without recognizing the incredible community that has made our journey possible. 

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our sponsors who made this celebration possible: 

Platinum Sponsors: Thank you for your extraordinary commitment to RHD’s mission and your generous support of today’s celebration. 

Gold Sponsors: Your partnership continues to strengthen our ability to serve communities across the nation with excellence and compassion. 

Silver Sponsors: We’re deeply grateful for your ongoing support and belief in our work. 

Looking Forward with Purpose 

As we closed the day, the energy among all who joined us spoke to something powerful: RHD’s best days aren’t behind us—they’re ahead of us. The same innovative spirit that drove our founders continues to inspire our work today. We’re not just celebrating our past; we’re energizing ourselves for the future. 

CEO Brian Matthew Rhodes, Esq. captured this sentiment perfectly during his remarks: “So, I have a question. How do you measure the success of a 55-year-old organization? Some from the audience said, ‘By the lives it’s touched.’ By the lives it’s touched, by its endurance and longevity. By its outcomes and output. By its resilience and its reputation, its legacy. I contend wholeheartedly that RHD is a success. Has been a success for 55 years. We’ve done things by that video, by the people in this room, by the people who are outside of this room, by the people on this screen, that have just been amazing.” 

To our donors, funders, partners, staff, and everyone who joined us from the beginning, present, and future—this milestone belongs to all of us. Your generosity, dedication, and shared vision enable us to reach communities where services are most needed, delivering care with dignity and compassion every single day. 

Thank you for 55 years of believing in the power of human potential. Thank you for supporting an organization that sees possibility where others see challenges. And thank you for helping us write the next chapter of RHD’s story—one that will undoubtedly be filled with even more hope, healing, and transformation. 

Here’s to the next 55 years of empowering people of all abilities to live independently and build better lives.