Our Mission
Richmond Community Services, in partnership with all members of the community, supports children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, to achieve the highest quality of life through individualized services, life-enhancing strategies, education, and advocacy, with particular expertise in meeting the needs of those with complex health issues.
Our story is one of compassion.
Our story begins in 1938, when Ellen Richmond, a nurse at Mt. Vernon Hospital, compassionately took home and cared for babies born with developmental disabilities who were left in the hospital to await placement in state facilities. Inspired by these modest beginnings, members of the community formed a nonprofit organization, Richmond Children’s Center. In 1973, they purchased and moved into the former New York Cardiac Center building in Yonkers and continued caring for children in need.
Today, Richmond Community Services (RCS) has evolved to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities and offers a myriad of services throughout Westchester County, NY with 16 group homes, two day programs, and one large residential facility. Although our staff has increased to almost 600, we strive to maintain the same dedication, warmth, and personal touch that Ellen Richmond demonstrated in 1938. We strongly believe we have an obligation not only to set a standard for excellence but also to do all we can to ensure that the people we support live with dignity, leading the fullest and richest lives possible.
Certifications, Membership, and Funding
The programs of Richmond Community Services are certified by the New York State Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (NYS OPWDD) and are part of the Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Regional Office. Richmond is a member of the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA), TASH, and the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).The majority of our funding is from Medicaid, supplemented by foundation grants, corporate gifts, and individual contributions.