CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BUFFALO

STABILITY AND CONNECTEDNESS - SOCIAL CARE PROGRAMS ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE, WHO FACE CHALLENGING AND UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS. THIS ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED IN ALL EIGHT COUNTIES. BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, FINANCIAL, PRESCRIPTION, AND HEAT ASSISTANCE WERE PROVIDED TO 9233 INDIVIDUALS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES ACROSS WESTERN NEW YORK. IN CATTARAUGUS AND ALLEGANY COUNTIES, OUR KINSHIP CAREGIVER PROGRAM SUPPORTED 199 KINSHIP AND NON-RELATIVE CAREGIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. USING A CASE MANAGEMENT MODEL AND SUPPORT GROUPS, KINSHIP CAREGIVERS ALSO OFFER FAMILIES OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS THAT SUSTAIN SOCIAL INTERACTION FOR PERSONAL WELL-BEING AND KEEP INDIVIDUALS SAFELY IN THEIR OWN HOMES SERVED 292 PEOPLE. THESE INCLUDE HOME VISITATION IN GENESEE AND WYOMING COUNTIES, THE TELEPHONE ASSURANCE PROGRAM IN ERIE COUNTY, FRIENDLY PHONES IN ORLEANS COUNTY, AND PROJECT HOPE, A CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GEARED TO OLDER ADULTS. CARE COORDINATION INCLUDES PROGRAMS TO ASSIST 221 CHILDREN AND ADULTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE LOW-INCOME. SERVICES INCLUDE ASSESSING AND ASSISTING CLIENT NEEDS THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH HOME CARE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW) PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAMS WORK WITH CLIENTS AND THEIR NETWORK OF HEALTH PROVIDERS (MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS), HEALTH PLANS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

NUTRITIONAL SERVICES - CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BUFFALO ADMINISTERS THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAM IN ERIE, NIAGARA, AND CHAUTAUQUA COUNTIES. THROUGH WIC, 23,903 WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES WERE SUPPORTED. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OPERATES NINE FOOD PANTRIES IN THREE COUNTIES - ONE IN ALLEGANY, ONE IN CATTARAUGUS, AND SEVEN IN ERIE COUNTY. A TOTAL OF 7,113 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. ONE THRIFT STORE SERVES ALLEGANY COUNTY AND OFFERS FREE CLOTHING TO CLIENTS WHEN NEEDED. A TOTAL OF 1,866 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. LADIES OF CHARITY OF THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO OPERATES THE ERIE/NIAGARA THRIFT STORE. LADIES OF CHARITY ALSO PROVIDES A NUMBER OF OTHER REFERRAL PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, INCLUDING HOLIDAY GIFTS, CLOTHING, BABY ITEMS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS. LADIES OF CHARITY IS A MINISTRY OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY WOMEN AND YOUNG WOMEN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. THE GROUP IS AN AFFILIATE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES. A TOTAL OF 13,347 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED THROUGH THESE SERVICES.