Episcopal Social Services of New York

ESS Re-Opens Morris House Residence

The historic 100-year-old Morris House undergoes major historic renovations and
re-opens its doors to disabled New Yorkers

(Bronx, NY – February 3, 2010) Episcopal Social Services (ESS) today celebrated the grand re-opening of a fully re-built and refurbished residence for 12 developmentally disabled adults. Known as the Morris House, this historic 100-year-old rowhouse offers a safe, comfortable and beautiful home where the residents receive the highest quality, round-the-clock care and supervision.

On hand for the ribbon cutting were Robert Gutheil, executive director of ESS, 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.

The newly renovated facility provides a structured, supportive home for 12 adults who live with multiple developmental disabilities. Residents are given 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.

Mr. Gutheil said, “This is a particularly happy day for us at ESS, not only to see the completion of a massive and complex project, and the marvelous result it has yielded, but for another, even deeper reason that resonates across all our areas of outreach. For 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, and giving them the assistance they need to gain the highest degree of self-sufficiency and independence they can, so that they may lead lives that are fulfilling and meaningful.

“With the grand re-opening of this residence, we renew our commitment to supporting the value of our very vulnerable sisters and brothers, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years. And we will be there still, for as long as they need us. We thank all of you who stand in support with us in this vital, rewarding work, and those who partner with us in all of our programs,” he concluded.

ESS operates four Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) serving adults with a low to moderate level of functionality, as well as one Individual Residential Alternative (IRA) that caters to the highest level of functioning within the developmentally disabled designation. Supervised by experienced and caring counselors, the residents work on independent living goals established individually for each person. They practice socialization, communication, and living skills; those residents with a higher level of functionality have daily chores, and some hold jobs in supervised work environments.

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.

Click here to see more images from the re-opening ceremony