A story from Natasha My parents came from Ukraine as refugees and found a safe and welcoming home in Rochester, NY, where a thriving community from Ukraine has made a warm and vibrant new home. I grew up speaking Ukrainian at home, and my family continues to share our memories…

a story from Renée Schumacher “National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” observed in March of every year, is a great time to reflect upon some of the most vulnerable in our community — those who are faced with impairments in physical, intellectual, learning, and/or behavioral functioning. As the Vice President of…

“We love sharing our story. Sarah’s birthmother was adopted, I was adopted, and now Sarah is as well. We want to encourage some normalcy around the topic of adoption. We want young mothers to know they have options, and there are people who want to raise their children. Working with…

Thomasena Newton, as told to Karina Hotchkiss, CFC Intern Thomasena Newton is who many would call a saint, but even more would call a personal friend. Throughout her life, she has provided over 100 children with a home, fostering children from where…

What to expect on the initial journey to getting clean a story from Kristie Elias, LCSW, Vice President of Behavioral Heath at Catholic Family Center, as told to D-D Flannery Alcohol and substance use, overdoses and the demand for addiction treatment continue to rise. The stress, financial hardships and isolation…

A story from Lisa Lewis, Vice President of Housing and Stabilization Services for Catholic Family Center, and Katrina, one of her clients. Stay Home! Two words everyone is saying these days. But, where do you go if you don’t have a home? This is the voice of so many who…

A story from Cheryl Moeller Thousands of American families want to foster unaccompanied refugee children living in undesirable and often life-threatening conditions. That number continues to grow as news about the alarming conditions inside refugee camps are exposed. Before the Center for Disease Control’s virus order took effect in late…

A story from Kristie Elias and Kelly Murrell Four months into the Covid-19 pandemic and our nation is on the verge of another health crisis, a mental-health one. Tens of thousands of people dead, millions facing economic devastation, and continued isolation from the lockdown are taking a psychological toll on…

…a story from Kristie Elias, CFC’s Vice President for Behavioral Health Services Although opioid and other drug addictions receive far more attention than alcoholism lately, all addictions are harmful to the family’s well‑being. For families and friends who have found the blessings of recovery, the holidays can be a time of joyfulness and gratitude. For others, it can be very painful and filled with disappointments as they experience the active phases…