FirstService Residential Partners with Community Access for Yearlong Volunteering Initiative
FirstService Residential New York, the largest residential property management company in New York City, has announced a partnership with Community Access, one of the oldest and largest housing and mental health nonprofits in NYC. The partnership reflects FirstService Residential’s commitment to giving back to the community, and will give FirstService Residential associates the opportunity to volunteer in a range of programs designed to benefit the tenants and program participants served by Community Access. With more than 70,000 units in over 500 condominium, co-op and rental properties, New York represents the largest urban portfolio managed by FirstService Residential, which is headquartered in Florida.
In partnering with Community Access—where FirstService Residential regional president Dan Wurtzel serves as board vice president—the New York region is demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility by working hand-in-hand with Community Access as the nonprofit aims to expand opportunities for people living with mental health concerns to recover from trauma and discrimination through affordable housing, training, advocacy and healing-focused services.
“By providing supportive housing and social services, Community Access is a pioneer of helping NYC residents with mental health concerns. The services they provide help these individuals live their lives in a meaningful and purposeful way – a cause particularly close to our heart as we confront the homeless problem in this city,” said Dan Wurtzel, president of FirstService Residential New York. “Our company-wide social purpose initiative is predicated on the importance of giving back to the community, and we’re extremely proud of the reception the partnership has already received from our associates.”
Steve Coe, CEO of Community Access said: "Dan Wurtzel and FirstService Residental have been strong supporters of Community Access' work for many years. FirstService Residential understands what a safe, stable home means for an individual’s well-being. We are excited to partner with their associates to collaborate in developing meaningful health, wellness and community outreach opportunities.”
As part of the yearlong partnership, associates will have the opportunity to volunteer for a range of initiatives on behalf of Community Access, including:
About FirstService Residential
As North America's largest manager of residential properties, FirstService Residential oversees more than 7,000 properties and 1.5 million residential units across 21 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada.
In New York City, FirstService Residential’s management portfolio comprises more than 500 rental, condominium, and cooperative properties with an aggregate value of more than $6 billion. This includes more than 70,000 residential units that are home to over 200,000 people in properties ranging from luxury towers and new developments to pre-war landmark buildings and apartment complexes.
For nearly 30 years, FirstService Residential’s dedicated team of local professionals has worked hard to become New York City’s premier residential property management company – a trusted partner representing buildings of every type and size.
FirstService Residential is committed to philanthropic and humanitarian concerns throughout the United States and Canada. Through FirstService Residential’s company-wide social purpose initiative, the company’s associates are given the opportunity to donate toys to needy children, gather donations for food banks and help build homes with Habitat for Humanity. The company has also raised money for autism support services, breast cancer research, Down’s syndrome research and other worthy causes.
With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit www.fsresidential.com.
About Community Access:
Founded in 1974, Community Access creates environments where people living with mental health concerns can build lives of their own choosing in the community. In addition to being one of the largest nonprofit real estate developers in New York City – with more than $300 million in real estate investments – Community Access is also home to the acclaimed Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, NYC’s oldest and largest job training academy for mental health peers, and delivers unique education, health and wellness, treatment, and crisis support programs that help more than 3,000 New Yorkers every year.
The mission of Community Access is to expand opportunities for people living with mental
health concerns to recover from trauma and discrimination through affordable housing, training, advocacy and healing-focused services. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. www.communityaccess.org
In partnering with Community Access—where FirstService Residential regional president Dan Wurtzel serves as board vice president—the New York region is demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility by working hand-in-hand with Community Access as the nonprofit aims to expand opportunities for people living with mental health concerns to recover from trauma and discrimination through affordable housing, training, advocacy and healing-focused services.
“By providing supportive housing and social services, Community Access is a pioneer of helping NYC residents with mental health concerns. The services they provide help these individuals live their lives in a meaningful and purposeful way – a cause particularly close to our heart as we confront the homeless problem in this city,” said Dan Wurtzel, president of FirstService Residential New York. “Our company-wide social purpose initiative is predicated on the importance of giving back to the community, and we’re extremely proud of the reception the partnership has already received from our associates.”
Steve Coe, CEO of Community Access said: "Dan Wurtzel and FirstService Residental have been strong supporters of Community Access' work for many years. FirstService Residential understands what a safe, stable home means for an individual’s well-being. We are excited to partner with their associates to collaborate in developing meaningful health, wellness and community outreach opportunities.”
As part of the yearlong partnership, associates will have the opportunity to volunteer for a range of initiatives on behalf of Community Access, including:
- Urban farming activities at Community Access housing programs, where volunteers will work with participants on garden planting, maintenance, and harvesting activities
- The NYC Mental Health Film Festival, a Community Access-organized event that showcases the successes and struggles of individuals with mental health concerns; FirstService Residential volunteers will assist in coordinating and staffing the film festival, encouraging discussions around mental health
- “Changing Minds Young Filmmakers Competition,” the premier competition for filmmakers between the ages of 15-25, aimed at challenging the stigmas around mental health; FirstService volunteers will be involved on selection committees and community outreach
- A spring event in which FirstService Residential associates and Community Access residents will collaborate on bike painting and guided bike ride events
- A range of additional initiatives, including lobby decorations, baking opportunities and a holiday toy drive
About FirstService Residential
As North America's largest manager of residential properties, FirstService Residential oversees more than 7,000 properties and 1.5 million residential units across 21 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada.
In New York City, FirstService Residential’s management portfolio comprises more than 500 rental, condominium, and cooperative properties with an aggregate value of more than $6 billion. This includes more than 70,000 residential units that are home to over 200,000 people in properties ranging from luxury towers and new developments to pre-war landmark buildings and apartment complexes.
For nearly 30 years, FirstService Residential’s dedicated team of local professionals has worked hard to become New York City’s premier residential property management company – a trusted partner representing buildings of every type and size.
FirstService Residential is committed to philanthropic and humanitarian concerns throughout the United States and Canada. Through FirstService Residential’s company-wide social purpose initiative, the company’s associates are given the opportunity to donate toys to needy children, gather donations for food banks and help build homes with Habitat for Humanity. The company has also raised money for autism support services, breast cancer research, Down’s syndrome research and other worthy causes.
With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit www.fsresidential.com.
About Community Access:
Founded in 1974, Community Access creates environments where people living with mental health concerns can build lives of their own choosing in the community. In addition to being one of the largest nonprofit real estate developers in New York City – with more than $300 million in real estate investments – Community Access is also home to the acclaimed Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, NYC’s oldest and largest job training academy for mental health peers, and delivers unique education, health and wellness, treatment, and crisis support programs that help more than 3,000 New Yorkers every year.
The mission of Community Access is to expand opportunities for people living with mental
health concerns to recover from trauma and discrimination through affordable housing, training, advocacy and healing-focused services. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. www.communityaccess.org