Buffalo's Society of St. Vincent de Paul will expand its services to women and their children, if any, in transition with a new program called St. Vincent's Door. This program will help those women in transition that come to the society through its local conferences or its collaborative partners and other social service agencies throughout Western New York.

A woman in transition includes women who were previously homeless, leaving a domestic violence situation, completing a drug or alcohol treatment program, finishing a job training program, and many other life situations.

St. Vincent's Door will identify and assess the need of the woman in transition or, in the case of mothers the need of the woman and her children, through a standard home visit conducted by St. Vincent de Paul conference volunteers. St. Vincent's Door will be able to help provide support for the basic needs of the mother and her children including such things as used appliances, furniture, bedding or afterschool activity expenses needed by the children.

This inaugural gala fundraiser, sponsored by the Maid of the Mist Corporation, will help to grow St. Vincent's Door fund. This event will include a reverse raffle, silent auction, beverages and food. The gala will take place on Wednesday, May 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., in the dining room of the St. Vincent de Paul Center at 1298 Main St., Buffalo. Tickets are $50 per person.