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Celebrating Pride at the Buffalo Pride Parade

This past Sunday, a group of C+FS employees came together to celebrate Pride by marching in the annual Buffalo Pride Parade. Before the parade even began, the energy was easy to feel. Employees gathered around our Agency van, turning it into a rolling display of color and community. Everyone put their own spin on this…
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Tickets for the Lauren Show

When Lauren Wogick, Senior Case Planner for the C+FS Preventive team, made her final home visit this past April, she walked into something completely unexpected. The family’s living room had been transformed into a fully decorated theater and Lauren was at the top of the VIP list.  Lauren first met the Smith* family in September…
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The Gildemeister’s Foster Care Journey

When Theresa and Carlos Gildemeister became foster parents nearly three decades ago, they couldn't have imagined how many lives their family would impact. Motivated by a love for children and a desire to help families going through difficult times, they opened their home. Since becoming foster parents, they've fostered more than fifty children, some for…
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C+FS Awarded $450,000 To Fund Services for Youth Living with Mental Illness

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $4.5 million in state funding was awarded to establish 10 new Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams, including Child and Family Services. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, these multidisciplinary teams will support 360 additional youth with serious emotional disturbances who are either at risk of entering, or are…
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EAP’s 100th Webinar Milestone

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of uncertainty and isolation to people everywhere. Hoping to bring people together during a difficult time, Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP) launched its first webinar just weeks later.   Fast forward five years, and EAP recently hosted its 100th webinar. This milestone celebrates the…
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Welcome to Cafe Ratatouille!

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” At Stanley G. Falk School’s Cambridge campus, that’s especially true for Mr. Costello’s seventh graders.  Last week, their classroom was transformed into “Cafe Ratatouille,” a student-run restaurant that served up breakfast favorites and real-world skills. The annual project created by Mr.…
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Building Confidence Through Creativity

A little over a year ago, Lucy Tschachtli, a dedicated social worker at Haven House, noticed that clients were looking for more ways to be creative. Having led Haven House’s Art Empowerment Group for years, Lucy already knew how powerful creative expression could be for survivors of domestic violence.   When clients began asking for specific…
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Celebrating Diversity One Dish at a Time

Last week, C+FS staff gathered for a celebration of connection and community. In honor of World Health Day and Celebrate Diversity Month, our DEI and Well-Being Committees brought the agency together for a much-anticipated Potluck.   Across our locations, the air filled with comforting scents of home-cooked dishes and the sounds of lively conversations. Staff…
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to come together as a community to raise awareness and support the well-being of children and families. In honor of this, staff across the agency coordinated to wear blue – the official color of child abuse prevention efforts – on April 3 to show their support. …
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Legacy Lives on Through Buster’s Visit

On a sunny afternoon, a special four-legged visitor returned to Child and Family Services’ Delaware campus, bringing smiles and impressive tricks. Buster, a certified PAWS for LOVE therapy dog and SPCA Good Citizen has become a familiar face. To Kristina Young, a former board member who devoted 35 years of service to Child and Family…
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Breaking Barriers: School-Based Counseling Transforms Student Success

When Cole* began working with C+FS counselors at Elmwood Village Charter Schools (EVCS), his separation anxiety often caused him to arrive late or leave school early, disrupting his education. After receiving consistent support through C+FS’ new on-site counseling program, Cole recently achieved a major milestone – attending school for five full days in a row…
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Creativity Shines at Community Residence Art Show

The Community Residence (CR) recently displayed the talents of its young artists at a special art show where they showcased a variety of creative projects, ranging from drawings and paintings to impressive LEGO displays and large-scale, handmade creations. “Our CR kiddos are very into their art. It’s one of the ways they really love to…
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