Nov 3, 2022Supporting Kids with Complex TraumaA story from Seana Denning, Tracy McNett and Darlene Rogers Disclosure: This post involves mention of suicide. The recent rash of gun violence in our community is taking a toll on the youth and we are now in a season where young people are taking lives at drastic rates. Suicides…Complex Trauma7 min readComplex Trauma7 min read
May 11, 2022What I saw at the border of Ukraine — helping refugees find a safe place to liveA 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…Refugees3 min readRefugees3 min read
May 5, 2022The Journey Towards Independence and Inclusion for People Living with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilitiesa 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…Developmental Disability5 min readDevelopmental Disability5 min read
Apr 5, 2022Meet the DeLucenay Family…“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. …3 min read3 min read
Aug 19, 2021The Story of My Life as a Foster MomThomasena 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 she grew up in Monroe County, South Carolina…Foster Care5 min readFoster Care5 min read
May 13, 2021The First 90 Days SoberWhat 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…Addiction8 min readAddiction8 min read
Jan 27, 2021STAY HOME THEY SAY! If I only had a home.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…Homeless5 min readHomeless5 min read
Sep 22, 2020Fostering an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor is a Special CallingA 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…6 min read6 min read
Jun 22, 2020Social isolation is impacting our mental health and well beingA 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…Mental Health5 min readMental Health5 min read
Mar 10, 2020Alcoholism can have devastating effects on the family: resources and a guide for family and friends of an alcoholic…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. …Addiction5 min readAddiction5 min read