May 2022

For all Employees of Catholic Charities of Buffalo

Serving all of Western New York

Success for Wellsville Mental Health Event

High School Students Help Plan and Organize Free Outreach Event

Meet Isabelle Tinder and Felicity Morrison! These Wellsville teens are the brains behind a recent event titled "Together for Mental Health: A Free Community Event." Debra Miller, Catholic Charities Wellsville counselor and In-School Social Work program counselor, and the high school students collaborated on and organized the May 20th gathering, which featured a dozen organizations from across western and central New York, an art show and auction of high school students' work, live music by Felicity Morrison, and food from Blue Grass Country BBQ Food Truck.

Healing with HOPE in Buffalo

Check out this video to learn more about how Catholic Charities is proving to be a beacon of HOPE to those in need.

In the wake of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, Catholic Charities has been working to support those directly impacted by the tragedy, as well as our neighbors in the East side community.

Our pantry staff members have been working especially hard to ensure that community members have access to food and other basic needs.

Thank you to all our staff members who have and continue to put in extra effort during this difficult time.

Appeal 2022 Updates

HOPE Day 2022 nets $339,651 for Annual Appeal

We're thrilled to report our fifth annual HOPE Day benefitting Appeal 2022 was a great success, netting $339,651! And we couldn't have done it without you!

On behalf of Catholic Charities and those we serve across Western New York, we thank you for your generous support! Funds from the annual Appeal go toward supporting vital programs in our community like basic needs assistance, counseling, education and job skills training, and so much more.

Western New Yorkers turn to us in their time of need, and we turn to you to help us continue our mission of service, and TOGETHER we make Western New York stronger, healthier, happier. Together we are a beacon of HOPE!

“The annual Appeal is about bringing HOPE to our neighbors in need through services such as basic emergency assistance, mental health counseling, workforce training, youth and family support services, and more,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president & CEO, Catholic Charities.

$8 Million Achieved with One Month to Go

Stay up-to-date with our Appeal progress!

Following a successful HOPE Day on May 11 and recent donations, Appeal 2022 is now over $8 million with a month to go. The Appeal ends June 30.

THANK YOU to all who have donated so far. The 100% For All Committee continues to connect and collect with employees in its fundraising effort. If you have not yet given, we encourage you to do so. Every dollar makes a difference!

A Look Inside HOPE Day Headquarters

Laurie Brown-Croyts-Alford, Community Division Chair, reaches out to potential donors.

Appeal Vice Chair Adam Sumlin looks over his list of donors who haven't yet given this year.

Kevin Gannon, Parish Division Chair for the Appeal, makes phone calls to donors.

A special THANK YOU to everyone who helped on HOPE Day. Whether you made phone calls, a donation, or just shared our mission with a friend, YOU helped us to bring in more than $300,000 during this year's HOPE Day.

We would like to extend a special THANK YOU to those who came out to our HOPE Day headquarters at 741 Delaware Ave. to help with all the activities. We are so grateful to each and every person who took the time to make this year's HOPE Day a success.

Thank you for being a beacon of HOPE!

Around-the-Agency Snapshots

News briefs and other happenings

Committees Continue Work on

2021-24 Strategic Plan

By Meichle Latham

Chief Operating Officer

We want to keep you up-to-speed on the progress of our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. This plan, which includes four program initiatives and one administrative initiative, aims to yield quality and impactful services targeting three primary goals: Increase Financial/Economic Stability, Improve Mental Wellness, and Strengthen Individual and Family Stability and Connectedness.

Senior level leaders facilitating the initiatives have continued to engage committee members and invest time, energy and focus implementing Catholic Charities’ 2021-2024 Strategic Plan.

Employee Engagement Survey Update

By Deneb Pirrone

Corporate Compliance & Quality Officer

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent employee engagement survey!

We received an 82% response rate, which is outstanding for a voluntary survey and more than twice the response rate we hoped to receive. The results were very positive and provided valuable feedback for the Agency. Management is already using the key takeaways to inform and drive positive change, including leveraging the data as part of the business case to justify the 5% pay increase and moving up the pay change from October to July.

Please stay tuned for more details.

IRAP Team Enjoys Lunch and Laughter

Have you had a chance to enjoy this spring weather? The staff members of the Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program certainly did, and even held their team appreciation luncheon and meeting on the back patio of the program’s building on Herkimer Street! The team members had a wonderful time, enjoyed lunch provided by Meichle Latham, and created lasting memories as they competed to build a marshmallow tower.

What a GREAT way to kick off a new season at Catholic Charities!

Catholic Charities' Employees Lend a Hand

Clara Moran, Chief Development Officer, and the Development team spent the morning of May 10 at the Bishop Edward U. Kmiec Food Pantry in South Buffalo helping to fill orders, stock shelves and load groceries into clients' cars.

The group was led by, and coordinated their efforts through, Darlene Sery, Community Outreach for Parish Outreach & Advocacy.

Thank you for helping our neighbors!

Support the Appeal, Enjoy a Bisons Game June 10

Call it a double whammy, but did you know you can enjoy a baseball game AND support our Annual Appeal? Come cheer on the Buffalo Bisons against the Worcester Red Sox at Sahlen Field on Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. You’ll even get to see a great fireworks display after the game. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the annual Appeal, which ends on June 30.

Let’s hit this Appeal OUT OF THE PARK!

WIC will host 12 “WIC Family and Farmers Market Days” at their offices in Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties during the month of June. Family and Farmers Market Day is a pop-up event where families can walk through to pick up their Farmers Market checks and WIC food benefits. Families will also receive a reusable shopping bag filled with diapers, educational materials and other goodies! For a list of times and dates, please call 716-218-1484 or contact Outreach Lead Kendra Hogan.

Employee Spotlight:

Shannon Strom, Human Resources Director

We talked to Catholic Charities Human Resources Director Shannon Strom to learn a little bit more about one of the newest members of the Catholic Charities family!

What led you to work in Human Resources?

I moved into Human Resources after working my way from a receptionist at The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care. In my career, I am always looking for ways to learn and grow.

What made you want to work for Catholic Charities?

I loved the idea of being able to make a difference in the lives of others. Working in Human Resources, I am always looking for ways to make sure the employee is successful and has the tools they need to do the job. After talking to Joe Farrauto about the opening here at Catholic Charities, I knew this would be a great place to work.

What is your favorite part of working here?

My favorite thing about being here is that I am able to make a difference in not just our employees' lives, but in the lives of those in our community. When our employees have the resources they need to be successful, they can better help the community.

What do you enjoying do in your spare time?

I love spending time with my family. I met my husband at a car cruise night, and it’s been a passion of ours ever since. Currently, we have several cars and a motorcycle. My husband is also the president of a local chapter of a model train club, so that has been a huge part of our lives.