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About Us
Who We Are

Our Mission

The overall priority and focus of the MRHS Staff, Board and Volunteers is to fulfill the goals of their designation as a NORC in several ways:

• Helping frail and at-risk elderly residents of Morningside Gardens remain in their apartments comfortably, safely and with as much independence as possible.
  
• Providing programs and activities which promote health and opportunities for engagement with particular attention to the special needs of the infirmed, homebound and isolated 60+ age adults living in Morningside Gardens.

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Our Values

The activities, programs and support from MRHS Staff, Board members and Volunteers are based on:

• Reflecting integrity, professionalism, warmth and respect with a commitment to diversity in all of its services.
• Promoting and building a caring and enriching community life in Morningside Gardens for all regardless of age.

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About MRHS

Morningside Gardens is a cooperative housing development of 980 apartments in Morningside Heights on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It was among the city’s first middle income, multiracial cooperatives when it opened in 1957. From its earliest days Morningside Gardens has been a place of real community in the truest sense.

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Morningside Retirement and Health Services (MRHS) was created by shareholders in 1966 who had the vision to help themselves and their older neighbors remain in their own homes safely and comfortably as long as possible continuing to enjoy their chosen lifestyle in this community. It was a new idea then which became one of the first to be classified in NYC as a NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community).

More than 50 years later that vision has been sustained and expanded enhancing quality clinical health services for seniors and their families here at Morningside. Diverse social, educational and recreational programs are also available to ALL residents of Morningside Gardens. Over the decades services, activities and staff have expanded through the support from Public/Private grants, along with community and shareholder commitments. As a result, MRHS remains a fiscally sound non-profit organization that benefits the entire community.

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“Morningside Gardens is an oasis in New York City, and serves as a model for all communities allowing residents to successfully age-in-place for many decades. I am committed to making sure that MRHS continues to serve as the model NORC program by offering my personal support.”

               -- Daniel J. O’Donnell, NY State Assembly Member

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Voices of MRHS
(video)

(CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO FOR VIEWING)

This three-minute video shows highlights from a focus group conducted earlier in the year by Tammy Sachs and Sachs Insights with residents of Morningside Gardens.  You will see some faces you recognize and it sheds light on the value placed on aging in a NORC setting.  (Click on the image to download the video for viewing on your computer.)

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Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
(NORC): A Creative Housing Option

Read all about how MRHS and other NORCs provide health and
social services to older adults so they can remain in their homes.
Click here to read the entire article
(Published on The Hartford website)

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MRHS Featured on PBS

Learn all about NORCs (Normally Occurring Retirement Community) programs
in this recent episode of the popular PBS Television series "Age Wise", featuring
Morningside Gardens and an interview with MRHS' Executive Director, Ron Bruno.
(Click the picture to watch the 26 min. program)

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Empowering New Yorkers to Grow Older in Their Home: Creating A Safe and Beautiful Bathroom Environment.

This interactive seminar presented at MRHS features guest speaker Michelle Wallach, OTR/L, CAPS,
a recognized expert in design for the aging community.
Click here to view the seminar presented at MRHS
(Approx. running time:  1hr & 7mins.)

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The Renovation is Complete!

After many months of work, we are happy to report that renovations for the "new & improved" MRHS Offices and Community Center have been completed. The Center was designed by Hollwich Kushner Architects and Wagner Interior Design & Consulting.  If you haven't seen it, please do drop by and visit us. The Center is so beautiful in fact, it was featured in "Curbed," the widely-read architecture, real estate and design blog.  Click here to read the article.