On Sunday, June 2, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church presented $500,000 to the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH) during the morning worship service. The gift expressed the wishes and estate plans of two of the church’s longtime members, Bob and Marjorie Quaife.

“This church has a long history of outreach and ministry to the homeless of Midtown Manhattan,” says the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, Senior Pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. “From our participation in the Ecumenical Outreach Partnership and our meal ministries for the vulnerable to supporting our mission partners at home and abroad, we strive every day to live out Christ’s instructions to feed the hungry and house the homeless. We are proud to work with WSFSSH and honor the intentions of Bob and Marjorie Quaife.”

Bob and Marjorie were stalwart members of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Active in the church’s Couples Club, they also shared a passion for helping the homeless and those facing hard times. Bob died in 2009, and Marjorie passed away in 2021. Their estate plans honored both the church and their devotion to improving the lives of others.

“Over twenty years ago,” says Black Johnston, “this church made a commitment to support safe and supportive housing for low-income individuals and families in New York City. When Marjorie indicated that she wanted to participate in this effort through her estate planning, we made a promise. We promised to use those funds to support our long-term partner, WSFSSH.”

WSFSSH was formed in 1976 by a coalition of social service agencies, religious institutions, and community organizations to create a new form of housing – one that would meet the diverse needs of older people and those living with special needs.

In addition to serving independent seniors, WSFSSH now serves frail elderly individuals, older persons with serious mental illnesses, homeless individuals, those living with physically handicapping conditions, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and families.

“On behalf of WSFSSH, I want to thank the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church for your enormous generosity in supporting our mission,” says Paul Freitag, WSFSSH Executive Director. “We have grown to include thirty residential buildings, three senior centers, and one of the only homeless shelters in New York City specifically for homeless seniors. Our partnership with Fifth Avenue Presbyterian has specifically focused on our senior homelessness programs. Thanks to this gift, we are creating a comprehensive approach to aging in place that allows formerly homeless seniors to thrive in their golden years.”

“We are so grateful to WSFSSH for their sacred work,” says Black Johnston. “As a congregation, we salute them. We are also thankful to Bob, Marjorie, and all our congregants and friends who make a real difference in the world with their generosity.”