Our History

 

The Community Resource Center opened in 1976 in response to an urgent call to remove the most seriously and chronically ill people with developmental disabilities from Staten Island's infamous Willowbrook State School.

The late Sister Barbara Eirich, a registered nurse and certified social worker, answered that call and founded CRC after rescuing twelve individuals from Willowbrook's notorious back wards.  Under her keen leadership, we grew and assumed operation for nine houses in the Bronx, Manhattan and Lower Westchester County for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Today we provide comprehensive and compassionate care for seventy-two men and women--Including some of our communities' most medically fragile.