| ESS Re-Opens Fully Refurbished Morris House |
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| Tuesday, 09 February 2010 15:03 |
Episcopal Social Services celebrated the grand re-opening of a fully re-built and refurbished residence for 12 developmentally disabled adults last Thursday. Known as the Morris House, the historic 100-year-old Bronx rowhouse offers a safe, comfortable and beautiful home where the residents receive high quality, round-the-clock care and supervision.“This is a particularly happy day for us at ESS” said Robert Gutheil, Executive Director of ESS. “The re-opening of this house — this home — represents the core of what we do, and what we have done for 178 years: restoring dignity and hope of a better life to those needing help.” The newly renovated facility provides a structured, supportive home for 12 adults who live with multiple developmental disabilities. Residents are given round the clock supervision and assistance with skill development, self-care, communication, self-protection, socialization, independent living, and behavior modification. They also receive 24-hour supervision at the approximate ratio of one to four. The Morris Avenue Residence, an Intermediate Care Facility, is one of five such homes for developmentally disabled adults operated by ESS.  ESS opened its residences in 1977 to provide a welcoming home for 20 children who were displaced as a result of the Willowbrook scandal. Many of those children are now adults and still under ESS’ nurturing care. Purchased from the State of New York for $1.00 in 2007 and located in an historic district in the Bronx, the rowhouse now complies with historical accuracy as designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The doors, windows, cornice, and stoop have been restored to the original architectural style. The light fixtures, door lock, hardware, mailbox, and even the numbering of the house have been restored to the historical period from which they originate. A generous grant from the LPC enabled the historic accuracy of the renovation to be completed with no additional cost to ESS. Joining Gutheil at the ribbon cutting were Jesse Mojica, Director of Educational Policy and Youth Services from the Office of the Bronx Borough President, Mindy Wapner from the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, as well as residents of the house, families, friends and supporters. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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