Chris Murray receives the 2019 DDS Living the Mission award from Thomas Daily, DDS Regional Director for the South region. At far left is his brother, Tom Murray.
Congratulations to Chris Murray, a Chapel Haven community member, who was singled out by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services for the 2019 DDS Living the Mission award!
Chris came to Chapel Haven nearly 30 years ago from his home community of Manhattan, and just recently celebrated his 59th birthday. Chris is a graduate of Chapel Haven’s REACH program, where he learned to live independently. He now lives in his own apartment close to the campus, and receives select supports from Chapel Haven as he pursues a happy life working at Edge of the Woods natural food market stocking the dairy case and pursuing his amazing art career.
DDS singled Chris out for the prestigious award “in recognition of all his extraordinary accomplishments.” Chris began receiving supports from DDS in 2018 and has “a great support system with his siblings, staff that have his best interest in mind in all aspects of his life and a DDS Case Manager, Chris Mulhall, who will continue to advocate for him and make sure he is receiving the best quality of supports available to him.”
Chris received the award during a ceremony attended by his family. In the photo, Chris accepts the award presented by Thomas Daily, DDS Regional Director for the South region.
A rendition by Chris Murray of our new REACH campus
Chris Murray is an amazing artist. His paintings of cityscapes have garnered widespread praise from collectors, as well as New York City gallery circles. His paintings are also popular with Chapel Haven’s staff and family community. Several Chris Murray originals are on display around the Chapel Haven campus.
Congratulations, Chris, we are proud of you!
