HIGHER WAGES! Direct support starts at $15 and $15.75 +. LEARN MORE CLOSE ROCHESTER (585) 340-2000 BUFFALO (716) 743-2020 HISTORY HOME > ABOUT > HISTORY A A A PURCHASE THE HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SERVICES HISTORY BOOK The story of how three sets of parents who had children with developmental disabilities helped bring a community together, inspire change and create a culture where all of God’s children are valued. Purchase the book here. Founding Families November 15, 1979 Marie and Bob Pieters, along with Gail and Bob Otto, hold their first founders meeting at Jobina and Pete Bruinsma’s home on Homewood Lane in Irondequoit, N.Y. Articles of Incorporation November 3, 1980 Articles of incorporation are filed with the Department of State. First Board of Directors Meeting December 2, 1980 The first Board of Directors meeting is held. Not-for-profit February 19, 1981 Heritage Christian Home Inc. is approved to operate as a not-for-profit agency. United Church of Christ May 3, 1981 The congregation of United Church of Christ of Webster, N.Y., votes to give land to found the first Heritage Christian home. Fundraising dinner at Rochester Christian Reformed Church November 12, 1981 Heritage Christian holds its first annual fundraising dinner at Rochester Christian Reformed Church. Ground Broken on Jennifer Lane September 15, 1983 Ground is broken for the first Heritage Christian home on Jennifer Lane off of Klem Road in Webster, N.Y. Timothy Weider November 1, 1983 Timothy Weider is hired as the first executive director. First Home on Jennifer Lane Opens June 24, 1984 The first home on Jennifer Lane opens to welcome nine young adults: Ellen Baxter, Michael Bogdan, Bill Case, Kim DeSarra, Steve Jones, Amy Kingston, Laurie Otto, Bob and Karen Pieters. Second Intermediate Care Facility Opens June 28, 1984 The second intermediate care facility opens in a renovated home on Goodburlet Road in Henrietta, N.Y. Parents Start Faith Foundation January 1, 1985 Similar to Heritage Christian, a group of parents start the FAITH Foundation in Tonawanda, N.Y., looking to provide Christian homes for their children, led by Anne Wolf. Eventually, the group comes to include: Rev. Robert and Delphine Bohall; Carol and Ernie Forth; Carol and David Dusenbury; Sue and Granson Geis; Vicki and Ron Grout; and Barb and Jim Quimby. Bob Pieters Hired June 15, 1985 Bob Pieters is hired as executive director to become president and C.E.O. First Community Residence October 15, 1985 The first community residence is opened in a renovated home at Ridgeway Avenue in Greece, N.Y. HCS Opens a Home September 3, 1986 Heritage Christian opens a home where Mark Bruinsma can live. It is on the State Road in Webster on property donated by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Heritage Foundation February 10, 1988 Heritage Christian incorporates its fundraising Foundation. Main Office Moves March 30, 1988 HCS Main Office moves to leased space at Piano Works Complex in East Rochester. Springdale Farm Opens April 1, 1993 Heritage Christian assumes operations at Springdale Farm in Ogden, N.Y., and opens its first day habilitation site. Medicaid Service Coordination October 1, 1993 The agency provides Medicaid service coordination from its main office in East Rochester. Groundbreaking for Respitewood November 7, 1993 Ground is broken on Schlegel Road in Webster for Respitewood. Respitewood Opens March 27, 1994 Respitewood opens; it’s Heritage Christian’s first short-term care home. First Home in Buffalo June 3, 1996 The first home in the Buffalo, N.Y. area opens on Hoover Road in Sanborn, and HCS begins offering service coordination there. Day Habilitation Service Opens July 1, 1997 Heritage Christian opens its unprecedented day habilitation service for people living in intermediate care facilities in Brighton, N.Y. Heritage Christian Stables February 14, 2001 Heritage Christian Stables opens on Salt Road in Webster. View video > Heritage Hollow November 1, 2001 Heritage Christian Services opens Heritage Hollow, its Adirondack retreat center, on Sixth Lake in Inlet, N.Y. A Second Thought Resale Shop Opens January 1, 2002 First group travels to Guatemala for International Ministries. A Second Thought Resale Shop opens at the Piano Works Mall in East Rochester. Top 1% January 1, 2002 HCS receives a Compass designation, recognizing the agency for being in the top 1% of service providers in New York state. New regional office in North Tonawanda October 3, 2003 In addition to the Rochester operations, Heritage Christian opened its regional office in North Tonawanda. Agency grows to 51 Homes June 1, 2005 HCS opens its first WNY respite program, Club Adventure March 1, 2006 Center for Human Services Education April 1, 2006 Formerly the Developmental Disabilities Education of Network, HCS takes over and launches its statewide educational division: The Center for Human Services Education. Ground broken for the Pieters Family Life Center in Henrietta. June 24, 2006 Pieters Family Life Center Opens April 2, 2007 Anne Wolf Quality of Life Fund November 1, 2008 The Anne Wolf Quality of Life Fund is established in the HCS Foundation in memory of Anne Wolf, one of the original members of the WNY FAITH Foundation. Community Hab Services March 1, 2009 Heritage Christian begins offering Community Hab services in Western New York; a new program for the agency. The agency celebrates 25 years. June 24, 2009 HCS Community Garden May 1, 2010 The first planting at the HCS Community Garden in North Tonawanda; a cooperative project between HCS staff, supported individuals and community volunteers. Goodrich Bakery program January 1, 2011 The Goodrich Bakery program is launched at the Clarence Church of Christ outside of Buffalo. Employment Alliance February 1, 2011 The agency launches its Employment Alliance, an expanded approach to work readiness and the employment of people with disabilities. First customized residential option March 1, 2011 Heritage Christian opens its first customized residential option — a home without 24-hour staffing — on Farnsworth Way in Henrietta for three young men. Customized residential options June 8, 2011 Working outside of certified settings, HCS starts its customized residential options offering Craig Thesing to live on his own without 24-hour staffing onsite. Expressive Beginnings Child Care August 1, 2011 Expressive Beginnings Child Care opens in Henrietta and fills to capacity within one year. Oxbow Lane in Lewiston May 1, 2012 HCS takes over operation of a New York state run residential home on Oxbox Lane in Lewiston; the first time the agency acquired a home in such a way. Council on Quality and Leadership November 1, 2012 HCS receives certification from the Council on Quality and Leadership. Marisa Geitner becomes president and C.E.O. January 1, 2013 Toddler’s Workshop & Railroad Junction January 1, 2016 HCS purchases Toddler’s Workshop & Railroad Junction in Webster, expanding its service to 300 more children. Community organization of the year March 12, 2016 Heritage Christian Services is recognized as the TOPS St. Patrick’s Day Parade community organization of the year. CDPAP April 1, 2016 HCS begins serving people through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) which includes people directly hiring their own staff. Ethie Award September 28, 2016 HCS earns an Ethie Award from the Rochester Business Ethics Foundation. Corporate Office Move November 14, 2016 The corporate office moves from E. Rochester to 275 Kenneth Drive in Henrietta, New York. CHUNNY December 1, 2016 HCS becomes a Care Management Agency (CMA) partnered with CHHUNY (Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York), increasing opportunities to serve children outside of OPWDD. Expressive Beginnings opens its third and newly constructed center in Greece to serve 120 children. June 27, 2017 Care Coordination July 1, 2018 Medicaid Service Coordination evolves to Care Coordination across New York state. Heritage Gardens September 27, 2018 Heritage Gardens opens in partnership with Home Leasing. The apartment complex includes 83 units for income-eligible community members. Regional Office Move January 13, 2020 The regional office moves from N. Tonawanda to 130 John Muir Drive in Amherst, New York. Eleversity May 1, 2020 The Center for Human Services Education announces its rebranding as Eleversity, a name which encompasses its enduring work in human services and next-level supports available to businesses in every sector. CORPORATE OFFICE 275 Kenneth Dr., Suite 100 Rochester, NY 14623 T: (585) 340-2000 F: (585) 340-2006 TDD: (800) 662-1220 REGIONAL OFFICE 130 John Muir Drive, Suite 106 Amherst, NY 14228 T: (716) 743-2020 F: (716) 743-1838 TDD: (800) 662-1220 ARE YOU OR A LOVED ONE SEEKING SUPPORT? Call our office and ask for the resource advisor. Our staff can answer questions and suggest services that make sense for you or loved ones. Call (585) 340-2000 or (716) 743-2020 Heritage Christian Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity program provider and employer, and complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn more about Title VI here. HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SERVICES COMPLIANCE HOTLINE - Call (585) 340-5797 © Copyright 2020, Heritage Christian Services. All rights reserved. OPWDD Part 624 Regulations Learning About Incidents HCS Incident Policy Notice of Privacy Practices HCS on Guidestar.org OPERATED BY HCS