New York, NY (PRWEB) July 15, 2013
Episcopal Social Services (ESS) and Safe Space NYC announced today that they have signed a management agreement that creates a partnership between the two organizations and lays the foundation for a complete merger. The partnership will bring both organizations under the same management structure, to be led by the current Executive Director of ESS, Elizabeth McCarthy. Together, this unified organization will serve New Yorkers in need from the North Bronx to Far Rockaway, working with over 20,000 people annually.
Safe Space’s programs, based at three main sites in Jamaica, Far Rockaway, and Richmond Hill, combat the staggering effects of generational poverty, underperforming schools, and violence. Additionally, Safe Space has played a large role in rebuilding the communities in Far Rockaway after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. With a reputation as a trusted community partner, Safe Space offers results-driven programming that helps children meet their potential and families stay together.
The partnership will allow the two agencies to unite their strong child welfare program offerings. Both ESS and Safe Space are leaders in providing preventive services, health services, and juvenile justice programs. Additionally, ESS and Safe Space employ a variety of evidence-based methodologies to ensure a measurable impact for constituents. The partnership opens opportunities for higher-level knowledge sharing and scaled strategies, which will lead to greater outcomes for high-need communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Safe Space also offers a breadth of mental health services to their full population of clients in Queens, and ESS hopes to expand upon current clinics to offer therapy and counseling to more clients in more locations.
“ESS is expanding its efforts toward transforming the lives of New York’s highest-need residents,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, ESS Executive Director. “We are looking forward to welcoming Safe Space to the ESS family because of their strong presence in the southeast Queens community, the capability of their management, and their longstanding history of effective programming. Together, we’ll find greater ways to help children meet their potential, and provide support to families and communities to help them grow and thrive."
Upon close of the planned merger, the entirety of Safe Space’s business and operations will be integrated into ESS and report to the ESS Board of Directors. The newly formed entity will include the full scope of ESS and Safe Space programs with an annual operating budget of roughly $65 million.
About Episcopal Social Services
The mission of Episcopal Social Services (ESS) is to transform the lives and communities of New Yorkers in need, ESS strengthens families, promotes the healthy development of children and youth, and empowers all whom we serve to become self-sufficient to a level at which they are capable. Founded in 1831, ESS has a long history of nonsectarian service that is responsive to community needs. In 2006, ESS acquired Sheltering Arms Day Care Services, Inc., which has evolved into a large EarlyLearn program operated by ESS. Today, ESS serves high-need communities in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
About Safe Space NYC
Originally founded in 1919 as the Queensboro Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Safe Space remains dedicated to the belief that every child deserves to grow up healthy and in a secure environment.
Safe Space offers a wide range of integrated family support and youth focused programs, including community and mental health services, designed to help families build a more hopeful future for themselves and their children. Now based in Southeast Queens primarily serving Jamaica, Far Rockaway and Richmond Hill, Safe Space serves more than 15,000 individuals annually. After nearly a century, we continue our work as deeply committed as ever to our original mission: to protect kids, keep them safe and help them grow.