State, County, and Village Leaders Comer Together for Ribbon Cutting at Atlantic ICF

Old Bethpage, NY – Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), in conjunction with St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at a first of its kind home to serve individuals with extensive medical needs who would otherwise not be able to reside in community settings. The home, located in Hempstead, NY, will be able to accommodate approximately 20 individuals when it is at full capacity. FREE and St. Mary’s Kids created this much needed home so that children transitioning out of pediatric service would have a non-institutional place to be cared for and live.

“I can’t thank St. Mary’s Kids enough for partnering with us on this project,” said Dr. Christopher Long, President, FREE.

“We are grateful to all of our friends in government for supporting this endeavor,” said Robert Budd, CEO, FREE.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness, and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community, and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

FREE also collaborates with a variety of diverse 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners on educational, vocational, rehabilitative and a myriad of other creative initiatives to enhance the local communities and the lives of more than 25,000 people that reside within them. Each of the valued partners of the FREE Network has a unique mission, vision and strategic goals that are aligned in purpose, and embody the spirit of the meaningful work we do every day. For more information, please call 516-870-7000 or visit www.familyres.org.

About St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children 

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children has been the primary provider of long-term and rehabilitative care for New York’s most critically ill and injured children since the 1870s. St. Mary’s Healthcare System is one of only a handful of organizations around the country that is dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions.