Willowbrook: 50 Years Later
Geraldo Rivera looks on as Opengate CEO Brian Hulten unveils Rivera House.
Fifty years ago, rookie local reporter Geraldo Rivera and his camera crew entered Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, NY, opening the gates and exposing the inhumane conditions, lack of care, and abuse of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace earned him a Peabody Award, but more than accolades, it changed his life and the lives of the developmentally disabled community.
Six years earlier, Robert F. Kennedy toured the institution and remarked, "There is very little future for these children, for those who are in these institutions. Both need a tremendous overhauling. I'm not saying that those who are the attendants there, or who run the institutions, are at fault – I think all of us are at fault and I think it's just long overdue that something be done about it."
Because of Rivera's broadcast, the conditions at Willowbrook came into the national spotlight. As a result, the public became outraged about the appalling living conditions, overcrowding, and broken spirits of the people housed there.
Rivera's exposure of the conditions at Willowbrook eventually helped end the institutionalizing of individuals with developmental disabilities, but progress was slow. Nevertheless, after the closing of Willowbrook in 1987, long past its projected date, the impact of Rivera's reporting influenced policies created for the protection of the developmentally disabled community.
Opengate was founded in 1969, several years before Geraldo revealed the state of affairs at Willowbrook, by concerned parents who recognized that an institutional setting was not a choice for their adult children. Instead, they were committed to overcoming bureaucratic and funding obstacles to provide a positive, home-like environment that would allow their children the opportunity to live fulfilling lives.
In the 50 years since the Willowbrook scandal, Opengate has evolved into a premier community-based agency that continues to expand services and resources for the people we serve. While staffing and funding challenges still exist today, the lessons learned from the past are not forgotten, and we must remain steadfast in our advocacy to keep moving forward.
In the years following his exposé on the conditions at Willowbrook, Geraldo has remained a champion for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We welcomed Geraldo Rivera to our programs, hosted a gala honoring him, and dedicated a residence in his name.