Rochester, N.Y. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative John Katko today announced $1,658,429 in federal funding for the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. The grant was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Marriage and Education Grant Program to fund a new family initiative in Wayne County. Catholic Charities of Wayne County (CCWC), a sub-agency of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester will launch the Thriving Family Program to provide services to help families, at-risk youth and unemployed and underemployed individuals in the region.
“This federal grant will provide the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester’s Wayne County organization with the resources needed to continue providing support and educational services to families, young people and those looking for employment throughout the area,” said Senator Schumer. “Organizations like this are essential in providing New Yorkers with the training and help they need to get back on their feet and succeed.”
“This critical federal funding through the Department of Health and Human Services will allow Catholic Charities of Wayne County to invest in additional resources to support programs for families in need,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I wrote to Secretary Burwell urging funding for new initiatives to expand more opportunities to help at-risk youth and unemployed individuals in the community.”
“It is critical that we support the work of local organizations like Catholic Charities of Wayne County that do so much to put families and individuals in our community on the path to self-sufficiency,” said U.S. Rep. John Katko. “I’ve spent time working with the wonderful advocates at Catholic Charities in Wayne County, and was proud to support this application for funding. I’ll continue to work in Congress and at home in Central New York to help end multi-generational poverty and create a stronger community.”
“Catholic Charities of Wayne County is most grateful to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Chuck Schumer, Rep. John Katko, and Rep. Louise Slaughter for their combined support in our securing a federal grant for our newly-created and collaborative Thriving Family Program in Wayne County,” said Peter S. Dohr, Executive Director and Inga Rojas, Director of Clinical Services. “We so appreciate our Senators’ and Representatives’ assistance in providing us the opportunity to introduce this innovative program to our area and improve the lives of individuals and families in our local communities for years to come!”
Catholic Charities of Wayne County will work in partnership with six agencies through its new Thriving Family Program to bring new resources for case management, assessment, and family education services to County residents. CCWC in collaboration with Family Counseling Service of Finger Lakes, Literacy Volunteers, Victim Resource Center, Wayne County Action Program and Ad Council to use educational programs to foster increased economic stability and mobility.