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Heartlight at the Harbor – 2023

BUFFALO, NY: Child and Family Services raised $100,015 at the Heartlight at the Harbor concert. Held at Outer Harbor’s Lakeside Lawn, the event featured a concert headlined by Nerds Gone Wild and was attended by more than 300 individuals. Funds raised will benefit the essential resources and programs that Child and Family Services provides to…
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Child and Family Services Partners with International Institute of Buffalo

(BUFFALO, New York)—The International Institute of Buffalo (IIB) and Child and Family Services (C+FS) will partner to continue a pilot Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking program for our region that started in early 2022 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The program is also partially funded by Erie County’s Safe Harbor…
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Small Business Owner Gives to Haven House

"I just recently had a fortune cookie that read 'If you continually give, you will continually have,' and I thought that was so beautiful," said Michelina with a huge smile on her face. The Buffalo native and small business owner used this opportunity to reflect on the last few years, which had been especially challenging for…
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Three New Members Join C+FS Board of Directors

Child and Family Services (C+FS) is excited to welcome Lizarelis Ali, Ellen Burkhardt and Neil Pawlowski to the Agency’s Board of Directors. They join 19 other individuals from various backgrounds including legal, insurance, not-for-profit management, health care, finance, education, compliance, real estate, architecture and more. Our new members join the Board of Directors during a…
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Volunteers Attend First In-Person Party at Residential Since Pre-Pandemic

Roemello White, Interim Operations Manager at Child & Family Services, walked through the gymnasium during the Residential Treatment Program’s recent party thrown by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). In one corner, he saw an IIDA volunteer help Addison* build a tower out of LEGO that was nearly as tall as the child himself. Roemello…
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Foster Families Take Over Explore and More

Cora* is currently living with a C&FS foster family. A very imaginative child, Cora loves to use her dolls to put on shows for her foster parents and siblings, changing her voice for different characters and settings. When the C&FS Foster Care and Adoption Program recently held a private party at Explore and More, Cora…
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Case Worker Delighted by Captured Moment

We can all recall a teacher, coach, counselor, or another figure who had a lasting impact on us during our childhood. Eleven-year-old Chase* found a mentor in his case worker, Jenna Slowik. When asked how he felt about Jenna, Chase broke into a huge smile. He said, “She’s the best! She’s kind, thoughtful, fun, and…
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Weathering the Blizzard at C&FS

With the Blizzard of 2022 making travel impossible for most of Western New York, the team at Child & Family Services stepped up in a big way! Members of our Haven House, Residential Treatment, and Facilities teams were stranded on-site and became invaluable throughout the storm. Cameron Jackson, Brenda Lytle, and Michael McLeod called themselves…
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Give Today to Make a Difference in the Lives of Children

Whether we are chasing the next big promotion or are seeking a work environment that fits with our values, many of us have a few stops on our career’s journey. Jon Tarrant is no different. After working his way up to a leadership position in the Residential Treatment Program at Child and Family Services (C&FS),…
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Case Worker Honored for Work in Residential Treatment Program

The staff at Child & Family Services are highly skilled and passionate about helping children in our community, so we are thrilled when they are recognized for their work. One of our team members, Residential Case Worker Sierrah Urbanczyk, was recently asked to present one of her cases at a statewide training by New York…
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National Adoption Month: A Family Becomes Whole Through Adoption

Child & Family Services is proud to share that Allison Ernst and her family officially welcomed a new member when they adopted Melody on November 28. November is National Adoption Month; the timing of these proceedings could not be better. Allison was a first-time foster mother and admits to having some reluctance to taking in…
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National Adoption Month – Case Worker Bailie Murty Jumps for Joy

It can be difficult for children placed in foster to trust their case planner, but Bailie Murty made it look easy while working with six-year-old Liam*. Liam had been waiting to be adopted for years and had already worked with several other case planners during that time. He was reserved when Bailie first took over…
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