Catholic Charities of Buffalo began a new chapter on Monday, June 12, as the agency celebrated the grand opening of its Wyoming County office on the campus of Community Action for Wyoming County in Building #1, 6470 State Rt. 20A, Perry. About 25 guests attended the event, including Sister Mary McCarrick, Catholic Charities' diocesan director, and Father Richard Blazejewski of St. Isidore's Parish in Perry, who blessed the office.

Previously, the Wyoming County office was located on West Buffalo Street in Warsaw.

The move from Warsaw to Perry not only gave clients a more accessible site, as the campus is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act design standards, but it also lends itself to collaborating with the other two service providers on the campus: Community Action for Wyoming County and Independent Living of the Genesee Region.

According to Dan Greene, district director for Catholic Charities' services in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties, the three providers can work together to address whatever needs a client might have.

"We're very excited about this because we're part of a human-service campus, a joint effort among agencies, where we can offer more services in a more efficient way," Greene said. "We thought this is just the perfect place to be where people will come in for other services and we can catch them right here and provide a holistic assessment of what they need."

Catholic Charities' role on the campus is primarily counseling, but emergency financial assistance will also be available.  

In addition to the Wyoming County office, Catholic Charities has a Genesee County office located at 25 Liberty St., Suite 7, Batavia; and an Orleans County office at 243 South Main St., Albion. For more information about Catholic Charities' Tri-County services and programs, please call (585) 343-0614.

Catholic Charities has helped individuals and families in need since its founding in 1923. That need is varied and widespread - from emergency assistance to counseling and from specialized services for the elderly to help with job training and education. Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives. In all situations, Catholic Charities delivers support to meet immediate needs, and then assess its clients for other needs to ensure long-term success.

Catholic Charities is an excellent steward of the contributions it receives. Catholic Charities receives the highest-possible rating (four stars) from Charity Navigator for transparency and sound fiscal management. Catholic Charities also receives the highest ratings from the Council on Accreditation for quality service.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to www.ccwny.org.