Grace Community Services

Description

Grace Lutheran Residential Services, dba Grace Community Services, has been providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Rochester area since 1988. GCS traces its origins to Reformation Lutheran Church in downtown Rochester. Several families that had a family member with a developmental disability were interested in opening a group home that would have a Lutheran focus. The Board of Ministries at Reformation approached Bishop Lee Miller about the project, and he happened to be on the board of Lutheran Social Services in Jamestown, NY. Bishop Miller brought the two groups together, and a partnership was formed. LSS liaised with the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and secured funding to open its first home at 1930 Westfall Road in Rochester, NY. Since that time, GCS has been fortunate to add four homes for a total capacity of 37, a Community Habilitation program serving 55 individuals, and a Medicaid Service Coordination Department serving 135 individuals. A newly formed in-home Respite program has recently begun to serve individuals in the community. GCS is in currently in discussion with families and service recipients regarding non-traditional residential opportunities.