Community Action Organization of WNY
DR. MARIE A. CANNON, PRESIDENT & CEO
Community Action Agency Promise
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and make America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
Community Action Agency
The Community Action Program was est. in 1964 by congress as a center piece of the War on Poverty by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Federally designated as the frontline resource for people living in poverty, providing direct services and support.
GOAL: Reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities and empower low-income individuals and families to achieve economic prosperity.
National network of 1,000+ designated CAA’s.
Boards that are low –income people, members of the business community, and local public officials.
The Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides Core funding administered by NY DOS.
CAO of WNY
Established in May of 1965
Mission: To promote opportunities for low-income individuals, families, and communities to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services and low-to moderate-income housing development.
415 staff members
Total Budget: $38,742,715
Services
Food Pantry- 46,000 pounds of food annually
Mobile Farmers Markets: serving 13 designated food deserts w/in Erie County
Substance Abuse Treatment: 522 indiv . maintain long-term sobriety
Head Start/Early Head Start: 1,675 children and families for economic mobility and kindergarten readiness
Senior Services: assisting 150 seniors maintain independent living
Employment Services: 400 residents w/ employment related assistance
Youth Sports: high quality recreational programming for 394 children
Afterschool Programs: proving afterschool activities for 177 schoolaged youth
CAO of WNY Locations
Admin Office: 45 Jewett Ave, 14214
16 Early Head Start/Head Start sites in Erie and Niagara Counties
Buffalo, Derby, Cheektowaga, Blasdell, Gowanda, Lockport, Tonawanda,
Lackawanna, N. Tonawanda, Springville, and Depew
Food Pantry located inside of the Resource Council
347 E. Ferry, 14208
Community Centers
Edward Saunders Community Center: 2777 Bailey Ave. 14215
JFK Community Center: 114 Hickory St. 14204
Pratt Willert Community Center: 422 Pratt 14204
Angola Youth Services: 251 N. Main St. Angola 14006
Masten Resource Center: 1423 Fillmore Ave, 14211
EMERGENCY & FAMILY SERVICES
Camille Brannon, Administrator
Provided 1,520 individuals with access to essential items.
Provided 2,763 individuals with access to fresh, locally grown produce.
Provided 3,828 individuals seeking emergency assistance, with information and referrals.
E. Buffalo ; 1,019 food, 761, essentials, 30 Sr. daily
EMERGENCY & FAMILY SERVICES
Hosted and/or partnered on 50 community events, benefitting more than 2,500 community residents.
Assisted 396 households with receiving utility assistance and avoiding a shutoff.
Ageless Wonders Senior Program
Yvonne Hairston, Director
30 Seniors participated in safe, no-cost daily programing at our CAO community centers.
30 Seniors had their daily needs met and were able to maintain an independent living situation.
Ageless Wonders Senior Program
30 Seniors were provided with regular food assistance.
Over 1,200 rides were provided for seniors to attend day programming, doctor appointments, pharmacy pick-ups, light grocery shopping, and recreational outings.
Community Engagement
Demeris Johnson, Director
12,725 visits to our CAO community centers.
96 community members were mobilized to volunteer within our community centers. Donating 1,560 volunteer hours.
Community Engagement
7,984 community residents received referrals.
135 youth improved physical health and well being.
547 individuals participated in health and wellness programming.
Youth Services
Youth Anti-violence Grant
Congressional Directeded Funding
Collaboration w/ BPD, Best Self, Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, Restorative Justice Coalition, and PeacePrints.
Programming for 200 Youth
CSBG
3 community sites: Angola, Edward Saunders, and JFK
Multi-School 21st Century Grants
4 Buffalo Public School Sites
Housing Assistance
Domonica Howard, Director
1,443 individuals/families seeking housing assistance received information and/or referrals.
Target 100, served 370 families who received access to case management.
Target 95, served 105 families who received rental assistance to avoid eviction
115 individuals/families were assisted with locating quality, affordable housing through out apartment search assistance programming.
Housing Development
Parksted East: Affordable 68-unit Housing Development
Governor Hochul’s Buffalo East Home Improvement Program (BEHIP)
• 19 low to moderate income homeowners residing in East Buffalo received case management.
• 7 low to moderate homeowners received emergency home repairs.
St. Martin Village: 70 units
564 Dodge St. 14208
Data & Assessment
Rinia Bell, Coordinator
The Data & Assessment Department helps collect, organize and protect CSBG client information to make sure everyone gets the support they need. They keep records safe, follow privacy rules, and make sure programs work together by sharing important information. By analyzing trends, they improve services, create reports for grants, and help staff make better decisions for the people they serve.
Success Story
Customers reported difficulty locating income eligibility documentation required for nutrition assistance programs. As a solution, we submitted a proposal to the NYS Department of State requesting an exemption from income documentation requirements for food distributions, essential item giveaways, and wellness programs in various part of Erie County. We were approved for 15 zip codes 14201, 14203, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14214, 14215, 14218, and 14091. These include East Buffalo, the West Side, South Buffalo, Black Rock, Lackawanna and Collins.
Future
Community First
Community Collaboration
Community Voice
Masten Resource Center
Hub of Community Services
State of the Art Training Center
Social Enterprise for Youth
Drop In Mental Health Services
Fatherhood Support Programs
Flexible Service Delivery Space
DART
Expansion of services: behavior health, mental health
Expand research
Expansion:
Youth and Older Adults Services, Mental health and workforce Development
