Three generations of Glynn's - James Glynn, his wife Mary, fourth from the left, son Christopher, holding his son 9-month-old Christopher M. Glynn Jr., stand with Catholic Charities COO Tish Brady, Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, diocesan director ofCatholic Charities and Paul Dyster, mayor of Niagara Falls at a press conference to announce the start of construction for the renovation of the former school of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish in Niagara Falls. A generous gift was announced from the Glynn family, who's name will be on the center. (Dan Cappellazzo/Staff Photographer)

Catholic Charities of Buffalo announced today that construction for a renovation project to create a multiservice center in Niagara Falls will begin next month. Catholic Charities officials said the $2.4 million project is made possible in part through the generosity of three major funders: The James and Mary Glynn Family, the City of Niagara Falls and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

The center, located at 625 Tronolone Place and the site of the former school at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish, is set to be completed late spring of 2018.

Additionally, Sister Mary McCarrick, Catholic Charities diocesan director, announced that a $300,000 gift has been given to the renovation project by The James and Mary Glynn Family, who own the Maid of the Mist Corp. boat tour in Niagara Falls. The center will be named the Glynn Family Services Center in honor of the Glynn Family, in recognition of this gift and their long-time, generous dedication to Catholic Charities.

"The Glynn family has been a staunch supporter of Catholic Charities for many, many years. Today we are proud to honor their loyalty and commitment with the naming of The Glynn Family Services Center," said Sister Mary McCarrick, diocesan director of Catholic Charities. "Just as generations of Glynns have supported us and the people we serve, we know that the center will assist generations of families in Niagara Falls and surrounding communities."

Catholic Charities will move its offices from several existing programs in Niagara Falls, chiefly Family Services, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Multisystemic Therapy, into the new location. Also in the Glynn Family Services Center will be Catholic Charities' Workforce and Education services and the Western New York Alzheimer's Caregiver Partnership. Plans include constructing a parking lot, and creating office and meeting space for both Catholic Charities' services and other community organizations within the city.

"We know that people will more actively seek the services they need if our programs are easy to get to and readily available, and that is exactly the type of environment Catholic Charities is creating with the Glynn Family Services Center," said Dennis C. Walczyk, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities. "This is not just an investment in the City of Niagara Falls, but really an investment in its people."  

Family Services provides counseling, basic emergency assistance and court-related services like the Domestic Violence Program for Men and Our Kids: Parent Education and Awareness Program for divorced or separated parents. Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women will be able to receive nutrition assistance, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum support, counseling, referrals and supplemental food vouchers through the WIC program. Teens and young adults will be able to access high school equivalency classes, job-building and resume skills, and paid internship opportunities through Workforce and Education services. Multisystemic Therapy is an intensive family and community based treatment for parents/caregivers and their children, ages 12 to 17, who are at risk out-of-home placement because of such intense, persistent issues as truancy, aggressive behavior, criminal behavior and/or running away. Families work with a therapist to combat issues to achieve positive changes in the youth. The WNY Alzheimer's Caregiver Partnership connects caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's or other dementia with support groups, respite programs, educational courses, in-home companion services and more.

Since 2005, Catholic Charities' Monsignor Carr Children's Clinic in Niagara Falls has been providing, and will continue to provide outpatient mental health services to children ages 3 to 21 on the parish campus in the former convent at 620 Tronolone.

Other major funders of the center are the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which awarded a $1 million Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program grant; and the City of Niagara Falls, through a Community Development grant in the amount of $150,000.            

Also speaking at the event were Christopher Glynn on behalf of the Glynn Family, and Paul Dyster, mayor of the City of Niagara Falls.

Glynn said, "On behalf of my parents, Mary and James Glynn, and our entire family, we are here to celebrate Catholic Charities and the heroic work they do every day in Niagara Falls, Niagara County and throughout Western New York. Consolidation of Catholic Charities services into this location will go a long way to better serving families here, and we are happy to support this worthy endeavor."

He added, "We thank Catholic Charities for the honor of placing the Glynn Family name on this building, and we look forward to continuing to support the causes of Catholic Charities."

Catholic Charities' renovation of the former school will be the 19^th project in which the agency has transformed a former Catholic parish school, rectory, convent or church into a service center, meeting the needs of the people of Western New York. Naming opportunities for specific rooms within the center are available.

Construction project leaders were also introduced: James Manguso Sr., senior partner at Lauer-Manguso & Associate Architects; Chris Hogan, co-founder and chief operating officer of RP Oakhill Building Company Inc.; and James Dentinger, president of McGuire Development Company. Lauer-Manguso will serve as architect, RP Oakhill will serve as contractor, and McGuire Development will fulfill the role of project management.

In 2016, Catholic Charities impacted the lives of more than 21,000 people in Niagara County through services such as counseling, emergency assistance, nutrition assistance, court-related, mental health and preventive services with sites in Niagara Falls, Lockport and North Tonawanda. Our three Monsignor Carr Institute Children's Clinics in the county served 2,400 children and their family members. Additionally, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Niagara County offered support to more than 2,700 clients, and the Multisystemic Therapy program touched the lives of nearly 600 people in the county.

As the most comprehensive human service provider in Western New York, Catholic Charities makes a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity. 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 assesses clients for other needs to ensure long-term success.

Catholic Charities is an excellent steward of the contributions it receives. For five years, the agency attained 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, and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity.

For further information about Catholic Charities and its programs and services, call (716) 218-1400 or go to ccwny.org.