About The Branch

In the mid-nineteen eighties, the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh assembled a task force to look at unmet needs of people with disabilities in the city’s Jewish community. Perhaps the most glaring unmet need to emerge from that study was for housing and support services for adults living with mental illness or with intellectual disabilities. As was the case in many communities throughout the country, individuals with these disabilities felt marginalized, stigmatized and isolated from the people and places most meaningful to them. The establishment of Jewish Residential Services (JRS) was the Pittsburgh Jewish community response to this critical problem. In 1993, JRS opened the doors of its first residential program, located in Squirrel Hill and serving eight individuals with a history of serious mental illness.

In November of 2022, JRS changed its name to The Branch in order to reflect the growth and evolution of the organization. The name, The Branch, provides new identity will help us better articulate who we are today, who we serve, and the value we bring to the communities we support. 

Today The Branch has a variety of programs – residential, educational, rehabilitative and social – all based upon Jewish values, culture and practices, but welcoming to people of all religions and backgrounds. Last year The Branch touched the lives of more than 250 individuals with disabilities, and the lives many of their families as well. The Branch programs build hope, purpose, and enable many people living with disabilities to become participating and valued members of the community. The Branch helps people with disabilities experience the miracle of an ordinary life.