Episcopal Social Services (ESS) proudly announces the selection of Mr. Robert Gutheil as its next Executive Director. Gutheil will begin work at ESS on September 7 and take full title on January 1, 2005, when current Executive Director Rev. Stephen J. Chinlund retires after leading ESS for 16 years.
Gutheil has over 30 years of experience in New York social services, most recently as Executive Director of The Salvation Army Social Services for Children. During his tenure Gutheil oversaw the expansion of high-quality programs into group homes for adolescents, residences for the developmentally disabled, foster boarding home care and adoption, day care centers, family preservation programs, and support services for people with HIV/AIDS.
The Salvation Army has honored Gutheil with its prestigious National Award for Excellence in Social Work. Gutheil also has been awarded the Leadership Award by Life Services for the Handicapped and the Unsung Heroes Award by the Day Care Council of New York.
Gutheil is on the vestry at St. Bartholomew's Church, on the Board of Episcopal Charities, and served on the Board of ESS until he hit term limits in 2002.
Founded as Protestant Episcopal City Mission Society in 1831, ESS has an annual budget of $24M and meaningfully impacts over 3,500 lives each year. The majority of its 16 programs focus on strengthening children and families through Comprehensive Foster Care, Group Homes for Adolescents, Medical and Mental Health Clinics, Early Intervention, Early Head Start, and the After-School Program at MS 302. In addition ESS operates the Murray Hill Senior Center, five Community Residences for Developmentally Disabled Adults, and four Prison Inmate and Ex-Offender Rehabilitation and Education programs. For more information visit www.essnyc.org.
