2023 WSFSSH Annual Highlights

Dear Friends of WSFSSH,

As the year concludes, we are delighted to share our collective achievements here at WSFSSH – made possible by your steadfast support. WSFSSH is continuing to grow our portfolio of affordable senior housing. This summer, we broke ground on Fischer Senior Apartments, located in the Bronx, that will provide a home for 105 older adults including 54 formerly homeless individuals. We also have three other developments in the pipeline that will provide much needed senior affordable housing in both Manhattan and the Bronx.

Innovative partnerships are also expanding our capacity to serve the communities where we are located. In April, we partnered with ChaShaMa, which led to Independence House on the Upper West Side becoming a vibrant hub for local artists through hosting engaging exhibits. Through partnerships with DOROT and CapitalOne, we hosted a successful Tech Expo that offered crucial technology training to bridge generational gapsand empower our seniors with digital literacy skills. Your contributions have not only helped create desperately needed housing, but have also fostered connections, growth, and transformation within our communities.

As we reflect on these achievements, we want to express our deepest thanks for your integral role in our journey. Your generosity is making a lasting impact. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2024.

An Artistic Partnership

Earlier this year at our Independence House property (697 Amsterdam Ave), WSFSSH began a partnership with ChaShaMa, an organization that assists property owners to temporarily transform under-used retail storefronts and to use our storefront space for artists, small businesses, and free community-centric art classes.

On April 18th, ChaShaMa held an opening reception for artist Diana Carla Rowe. Diana is a self-taught Jamaican American queer painter and poet based in Brooklyn. Her primary medium is acrylic and oil on canvas. Since then, ChaShaMa has hosted events, workshops and other artists from around NYC.

Breaking New Ground in the Bronx

We're thrilled to share that shovels are officially in the ground for Fischer Senior Apartments, our newest supportive senior housing development. Serving 105 older adults -- including 54 formerly homeless individuals -- this project is WSFSSH’s sixth in the borough and further cements our role as a key housing provider for seniors in the Bronx.

At Fischer Senior Apartments, WSFSSH will be piloting a program effort to identify and serve seniors who need greater assistance with activities of daily living from the moment they move out of shelter or the hospital and into permanent housing. Through this program model, we will be working in partnership with a licensed home care agency so that residents can “share” home health attendants to provide a longer window of personal care.

This new development would not have been possible without the partnership of many public and private funders, but we would like to particularly acknowledge the ongoing support of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Councilmember Althea Stevens, as well as the early pre-development support provided by Capital One Bank and Deutsche Bank.

Inspiring Through Technology

Meet Denise, a resident at Mill Brook Terrace, whose life took a transformative turn with the Capital One Technology Access Program. Awarded a Google Chromebook, she delved into technology lessons, gaining both knowledge and confidence. What makes Denise's story truly remarkable is that, at the age of 72, she decided to pursue higher education and found herself among younger classmates, becoming a source of inspiration, encouraging them to reach for new heights.

Denise attributes much of her technology proficiency to our dedicated WSFSSH Technology Trainer, Rebecca Moret, stating, "Without her, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today." This acknowledgment underscores the crucial role mentorship plays in the learning process.

Rebecca plays a vital role in the growth of our residents. Through her guidance, older adults are learning the technology skills they need to be more self-sufficient in this rapidly changing world. Her lessons have given residents across Mill Brook Terrace, W 108th Street and Red Oak Older Adult Center the confidence to lead happier more fulfilling lives.