CGS Collective Volunteers Refresh Bronx Residence for People with Developmental Disabilities
June 1, 2026
On May 16, 2026, members of Catholic Guardian Services' new CGS Collective Associate Board joined staff, volunteers and the Wallace House community for a special Green-Up at one of the agency's Bronx residences for people with developmental disabilities. Together, they planted, cleaned and refreshed the outdoor spaces, helping create a more welcoming environment for the individuals who call Wallace House home.
The day brought together emerging leaders and members of the Catholic Guardian Services community around a shared commitment to service, belonging and the dignity of every person.
Creating a Welcoming Place to Call Home
For the individuals who live at Wallace House, their residence is more than a place to receive care. It is their home, a place where they can build relationships, enjoy their surroundings and participate in their community.
The Green-Up offered an opportunity for volunteers to contribute to that environment in a practical and meaningful way. Working alongside Catholic Guardian Services staff and the Wallace House community, participants helped refresh the outdoor areas through planting, cleaning and gardening.
The effort reflects a central part of Catholic Guardian Services' mission: recognizing the importance of dignity, independence and belonging in the lives of the people it serves.
Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities in New York City
Through its Developmental Disability Services Program (DDSP), Catholic Guardian Services provides residential care and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities throughout New York City.
The program offers individuals a place to call home, along with individualized care and support that encourages independence and meaningful participation in their communities. CGS staff work with residents who have a wide range of needs, including individuals with complex medical or behavioral conditions and older adults with developmental disabilities.
The goal is not simply to provide residential care, but to support each person's abilities, choices and opportunities to lead a fulfilling life.
This approach reflects the broader principles of community-based residential care supported by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, which emphasizes helping individuals live in homes and communities that meet their needs while supporting the greatest possible independence.
At Wallace House and across Catholic Guardian Services' residential programs, creating comfortable, welcoming homes is an important part of that commitment.
The CGS Collective: Emerging Leaders Making a Difference
The Wallace House Green-Up was an example of the mission of the CGS Collective, Catholic Guardian Services' Associate Board, in action.
The Collective brings together emerging leaders who want to make a meaningful difference through volunteerism, advocacy and philanthropy. Members have opportunities to engage directly with CGS programs, connect with agency leadership and help strengthen the services that support New Yorkers in need.
By participating in projects like the Wallace House Green-Up, members gain a deeper understanding of Catholic Guardian Services' work while building relationships with the communities they support.
Catholic Guardian Services extends its heartfelt thanks to the CGS Collective, staff, volunteers and the Wallace House community for making this special day possible. Their efforts demonstrate how coming together in service can help create a stronger sense of community and belonging.
To learn more about opportunities to get involved, visit the CGS Collective.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. The agency provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care, family support programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities, and serves all who need help regardless of faith, race, or background. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, its roots reach back to 1887, and its legal incorporation dates to 1913. Catholic Guardian Services is headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Donate or learn more at catholicguardian.org.