Episcopal Social Services of New York

$100,000 Award from the Starr Foundation!

Nhopkins — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:59:57 +0000

Contact: Naomi Hopkins

212.886.5693

For immediate release…

ESS Receives $100,000 Grant from Starr Foundation

New York, NY—ESS and its affiliate Sheltering Arms announced today that they are the recipient of a $100,000 general operating support grant from the Starr Foundation. Starr is one of the largest private foundations in the United States, awarding grants in a number of areas, with an emphasis on Education and Human Needs programming, which are also two of ESS’ core areas.

”Starr’s partnership will be a vital part in our efforts to help-low income families lead healthy, productive lives in New York City,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, Executive Director. “The recognition that nonprofits are in great need of general operating support to maintain their infrastructure and flexibility is especially important in the current economic climate.”

At a time when both the needs of the New York communities in which ESS serves continue to grow and dependency on government funding must decrease, ESS is pursuing diversified avenues of financial support. To ensure continued high caliber programming and quality service, ESS has developed a strategic business model which places an increased emphasis on private support. Starr’s contributions towards ESS through a General Operating grant support the agency’s recent efforts to increase internal infrastructures while expanding needed programming, including a recent IT overhaul, a renovation of the ESS Health Clinic, new facilities opening in our Developmental Disabilities Services and Department of Juvenile Justice programs, and consistently high census numbers in our child welfare programs. ESS is already among an elite group of human service organizations with certification from Council on Accreditation (COA,) an international organization that accredits and monitors service delivery to over seven million individuals.

Founded in 1831, ESS is a non-sectarian human services organization serving up to 5,000 of New York City’s most vulnerable citizens each year through foster care and adoption, family preservation, early childhood education, after-school programs, group homes and day programs for developmentally disabled adults. More information on ESS can be found at www.essnyc.org.

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2012 BOOK DRIVE!!!!!

Nhopkins — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:12:06 +0000

Wednesday’s Child Can Be Your Child

Nhopkins — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:38:37 +0000

Recognizing the urgent need for adoptive families in New York City; NBC highlights one child or teen in foster care on a televised feature called “Wednesday’s Child.” Last week, our very own Taylor was featured. We invite you to watch his story, and decide how you can help provide a warm home for one of New York City’s children in need of love.

Enjoy the Rewards of Foster/Adoptive Parenting!

Are you at least 21 years old and in good health?
Can you provide a safe, stable, and loving home environment?
Do you have your own income from a job, pension, or Social Security?

If you answered yes to all these questions, then you may be eligible to become an adoptive or foster parent!

Opening your home to a child in need may be one of the most rewarding roles you will ever have. It is also one of the most challenging. You can make a difference to a family in crisis and vulnerable children.

There is an urgent need for foster homes for teens, and adoptive homes for children of all ages. Open you heart, open your home, and call us today! 212.886.5662

Episcopal Social Services welcomes all qualified persons as potential foster/adoptive parents regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or family status.

“Why I Give?” A Donor’s Story

Nhopkins — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:14:29 +0000

Cristina’s Story

Sadly, for many children from low-income families right here in New York City, the magic of the holiday season is at risk of being only a dream. But, thanks to generous people like Cristina Avello, the children served by ESS will experience breathtaking holiday moments as hundreds of children open gifts from “Santa’s Helpers.”

Following the model of a program developed in her native Spain, The True Wise Kings”, Cristina incorporated a project dear to her heart with our existing Winter Wonders Gift Drive and she and her friends provided gifts for over 115 children last holiday season. They are already in the midst of this year’s drive. “I give because it sets a positive example for my children. Christmas is our favorite time of year and it feels good to share that excitement and joy with others who may not be as fortunate”

The True Wise Kings has religious roots in the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the gifts of Three Wise Men. In Spain, the gifts are distributed at religious centers and are viewed as a Christmas Miracle from God with little to no emphasis on Santa Claus. The children regard their presents as gifts from God.

Cristina sought a similar program when she learned about Winter Wonders. She brought her idea to ESS and was matched with Early Childhood Education. The idea started to spread, and in the end Cristina and 76 of her friends and associates provided over 100 gifts to children in Early Head Start, and other Childhood Education centers. This year, they have already adopted 292 children that span six sites, and Christmas is still weeks away!

As a child, Cristina volunteered as an aid to elderly people and provided primary care respite. She states that it’s very important for her to continue to give back and set a positive example for her children. Cristina likened the reception of the gifts to her own children stating that Christmas at her house is loud, with laughter and happy cheers as her kids are opening their gifts. When the children at ESS open their gifts, however it is a completely different picture. The appreciation in the room could actually be felt. Cristina remarked at the silence of disbelief, and the sincere appreciation. “That was the sight that makes it all worthwhile. Especially in this economic downfall, it’s relieving for parents to know that their child is going to get a gift. It’s beneficial for the whole family.”

Some of the children had not experienced the magic of Santa before, and some were too young to initially understand what was going on. Parents and teachers helped the children to write letters, and were overjoyed in the smiles and laughter of their children as they received the gifts that they asked for. This made giving and receiving the gifts from “Santa” an even more joyous occasion, especially for the volunteers. Some of whom participated in this type of event for the first time and were shocked to see how an insignificant purchase for them—a doll, or a game—could mean so much to a child.

Cristina is just one of many with generous hearts. We invite you to create and share your giving story as well. To join ESS in Winter Wonders this year, or to fashion your own giving event please send an e-mail to development@e-s-s.org, or call (212) 886 – 5622. We also encourage the donation of gift cards for our older youth and teens in foster care.

Winter Wonders 2011!!!!!

Nhopkins — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:49:06 +0000

We are now accepting participants for Winter Wonders 2011!

Can you believe it? It’s time again for us to start thinking about the thousands of children we have in our Education and Foster / Adoptive programs. This exciting seasonal program gives volunteers the opportunity to brighten the holiday season, of one of the children in our many programs, with a gift from Santa! If you, or your organization would like to buy a gift for a child, or adopt a program; help out with holiday parties; or even wrap gifts in this awesome event that happens once-a-year please call (212) 886 – 5604 or e-mail us info@e-s-s.org

We also welcome, and accept gift cards for our teens and tweens which can be very difficult to shop for.

Morgan Stanley Announces ESS as Cash Grant Recipient

test — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:15:23 +0000

Contact: Media Relations

Sandra Hernandez

212 761 2446

Morgan Stanley Announces Nonprofit Recipients of Cash Grants to Implement Pro Bono Strategic Advice

15 Nonprofits Across the U.S. Received Pro Bono Services from Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge Teams; Cash Grants Awarded to Women’s Initiative, Feeding America and Episcopal Social Services

NEW YORK- June 17, 2011 – Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) announced that the nonprofits Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, Feeding America and Episcopal Social Services received cash grants to implement pro bono strategic advice provided by Morgan Stanley professionals at the Third Annual Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge.This year, the Strategy Challenge paired teams of outstanding Morgan Stanley professionals with15 nonprofit organizations across the country for eight weeks to provide pro bono strategic advice on issues related to business model optimization, geographic and program expansion, and new ventures. All together, the Morgan Stanley teams donated more than 6,500 hours of high-impact analysis and advice – equivalent to a market value of approximately $1 million based on pro bono standards developed by the Pro Bono Action Tank, which estimates how nonprofits should value in-kind contributions. This figure does not capture the additional value that the actual recommendations and strategies have brought to the nonprofits in areas such as productivity improvements, new revenue streams and more efficient business models. Over the past three years, the Strategy Challenge has cumulatively delivered approximately 14,500 hours to 36 nonprofits.

The teams presented their final recommendations in a competition at Morgan Stanley’s New York headquarters on June 15. The nonprofits associated with the top three teams – Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, Feeding America and Episcopal Social Services – were presented cash grants of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, by Morgan Stanley President and CEO James Gorman.

“The Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge takes our firm’s key asset – our talented professionals – and shares them with organizations that could use the added resources to tackle critical strategic issues,” said James Gorman, President and CEO of Morgan Stanley. “Our teams have put in thousands of hours of work, and we hope that their recommendations will help the nonprofits amplify their impact within their communities. Giving back is part of what Morgan Stanley stands for.”

The first-place team worked with Women’s Initiative to determine how the organization could best prepare itself for its desire to expand. The team provided the organization with key financial and organizational benchmarks it needs to achieve to prepare itself for growth beyond the San Francisco Bay area.

“Taking businesses to scale is exciting – but potentially dangerous – so having Morgan Stanley experts providing us with the triggers and the safe pathway to achieve that scale was invaluable, and will lead to thousands of women finding economic security as well as job creation when our country needs it the most,” said Julie Castro Abrams, CEO of Women’s Initiative.

Janet Gibbs, Chief Financial Officer of Feeding America said, “We were thrilled and honored to be among the selected charities that benefitted from the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge. The collaborative business model that the Morgan Stanley team developed will allow us to harness the power of the network to achieve significant cost savings – in order to feed more people, in more places, throughout America.”

Elizabeth McCarthy, Executive Director, Episcopal Social Services, commented, “The Morgan Stanley team we worked with really embraced our programs and the children we serve, and helped us to quantify the success of our early childhood education programs. They also helped us establish a diversified funding model that will enable us to continue to serve low-income children in New York City despite significant cuts to public subsidies. We are so grateful for the continued partnership of Morgan Stanley.”

This year, the Strategy Challenge expanded to include nonprofits from San Francisco and Chicago, as well as New York City (see below). The organizations’ missions address issues ranging from childhood nutrition and job training, to educational advancement and wildlife conservation – among others. They were selected from among hundreds of nonprofit partners of the Firm through a rigorous selection process.

The Strategy Challenge is jointly sponsored by Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainable Finance Group and Morgan Stanley Community Affairs Office.

“Morgan Stanley is committed to contributing its business and financial expertise to help nonprofits develop the long-term sustainable business models they need for enduring success,” said Audrey Choi, Head of Global Sustainable Finance at Morgan Stanley

Added Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Community Affairs at Morgan Stanley: “The issue of scalability can be difficult for charities to manage. Since the Strategy Challenge was launched two years ago, nonprofits continue to tell us our professionals’ pro bono advice is helping them to grow and achieve their strategic objectives.”

Participating Nonprofits:

Episcopal Social Services
Feeding America
Green Chimneys
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
Olana Partnership
Only Make Believe
Reach the World
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
Sustainable South Bronx
Upwardly Global
VOICES of September 11
Wildcat
Wildlife Conservation Society
Women’s Initiative

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investmentb anking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,300 offices in 42 countries. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

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PYA Visits Cornell University

test — Thu, 26 May 2011 22:38:57 +0000

One of the components of the Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) program is to help the teens with the college admissions process. The staff in the PYA program assist the teens with identifying colleges/universities that they should apply to, as well as the application and financial aid process. Visiting colleges helps high school students to become familiar with all of the benefits that a college education has to offer. As a result, ESS takes the teens in our PYA program on college tours.

5 teens from the PYA program chaperoned by 2 PYA staff, and 1 of the NYC Civic Corps members, visited Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The teens got a special Saturday tour from a student tour guide. The tour guide, who was a Junior at Cornell, gave the teens great insight about choosing the right major and the importance of being involved on campus through extracurricular activities. The PYA teens also learned the university’s history, and received a complete tour of the vast campus.

“I’m really excited to go to college in the Fall!” one of the teens expressed after the tour.

Jonathan Carmona is April’s Volunteer of the Month!

test — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:35:28 +0000

We’d like to congratulate Jonathan Carmona for being April’s Volunteer of the Month!! We appreciate his service as a Tutor for one of our clients in the Foster Care department. Jonathan has been dedicated to tutoring twice a week for the past 4 months. Jonathan expressed that he’s built a close bond with the young girl that he’s currently tutoring.

“I must say, it’s been nothing short of an incredible experience. She is usually very positive, fun, and eager to do her school work. Luckily, we instantly hit it off which has made the entire relationship easier and more productive. Perhaps the greatest part of all, I strongly feel that her progress with her work is easily noticable. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with her!”

Thank you Jonathan for your committment to serving Episcopal Social Services!

Candice Clarke Volunteer of the Month

test — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:58:04 +0000

We’d like to congratulate Candice Clarke as our Volunteer of the Month of March!!! Candice has been working with the youth in our Adolescent Residential Care program. She has been helping in our new CyberCafe organizing workshops around art, poetry and self-expression.

Candice currently attends Hunter College studying Social Studies and Creative Writing with a minor in Women Studies. She is considering going into social work.

Thank you so much Candice for your hard work and commitment to serve our clients!

Fashion Show at Early Head Start!

test — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:39:03 +0000

To honor International Women’s Month, our Early Head Start program hosted its second annual Fashion Show at our Bronx offices. Parents of the children in our care modeled outfits from their home countries – Senegal, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Gambia.

All the women looked beautiful wearing traditional dresses and outfits and were honored with a bouqet of flowers at the end.