Incredible things are possible when we work together.

What difference is my support making? Who is it helping?

This is a fair question for any of our supporters to ask. In this section, we will share our stories with you while maintaining complete confidentiality. We will keep you updated on the activities in our various programs, including success stories of those whom we have helped, special events in which our programs participate, and any commendations that our staff receives.

716 Day: The Power of Community

Every July, Western New York comes alive with hometown pride as the calendar turns to 7/16. For Child and Family Services, it's more than a number, it's a celebration of the community that we serve every day. This year, that spirit was felt in two powerful ways. At the Stanley G. Falk School, 716 Day…
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United Way’s Day of Caring: Community in Action

Last Wednesday, Child and Family Services welcomed over 100 Wegmans employees to our Delaware Campus in Buffalo and Community Residence in Cheektowaga for United Way’s annual Day of Caring. The team came eager to work and their impact was felt all around.  Split into groups, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and took on a range…
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Residential Program Kicks off Summer with a Carnival Celebration

On Wednesday, June 18, Child and Family Services Residential Program hosted its annual carnival, and the weather couldn’t have been better. After the earlier days of June had been filled with sweltering heat and frequent rain, this day brought a welcome break with blue skies and a perfect summer breeze. The Residential campus was transformed…
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Strength in Starting Over

Lisa* arrived in Buffalo alone, without children, close family or a place to call home. What she did have was resilience and a strong determination to rebuild her life. She made the courageous decision to flee her abusive relationship in Florida and move to Buffalo.  Her journey led her to Haven House, where Lisa entered…
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A Celebration of Freedom, History, Culture and Resilience

This past Saturday, a group of C+FS and Falk employees came together to celebrate Juneteenth by marching in the annual Buffalo Juneteenth Parade.  Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in Texas, over two years following the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a turning point in American history - a…
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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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