It’s not just a place; it’s a program.
Visit the Carolyn’s House website.
Carolyn’s House
In August of 2005, the YWCA of Niagara celebrated the opening of “Carolyn’s House” a 19-unit apartment building with three, two, one bedroom and studio apartments for low income women and their children. The YWCA determined that low income housing is incomplete without support programs that address poverty reduction and improve the potential of economic self sufficiency. Carolyn’s House is unique in that it provides on-site support services designed to transition homeless and low income women to independence. By offering housing with supportive services including; extensive case management and counseling, vocational culinary training, employment preparation programs promoting occupations with a living wage, remedial education and GED, financial literacy, parenting and health and wellness programs, residents are receiving tools to achieve their full potential as individuals and as members of society.
Click here to read The Niagara Gazette’s article on Carolyn’s House
Our Successes
Our successes include: 127 women and 196 children have received support services in a safe and secure environment, and over 75% have moved on to independent living. To date, 92 women have participated in the sixteen (16) week vocational culinary training program and twenty one (21) have gone on to obtain employment in the food service industry and/or registered in a college culinary program. Four of the culinary training graduates have moved into management positions at the YWCA’s three social enterprises; The Catering Crew, Niagara Falls Airport Café, and Niagara Falls City Hall Café. Several residents have graduated from the on-site Certified Nursing Assistance program, provided by Orleans Niagara BOCES, and one has pursued continuing education in the nursing field. In addition, sixteen (16) residents who have attended the on-site BOCES classes have received their GED certificate. Four residents have successfully completed the matched savings program (Individual Development Accounts) and through the program three have purchased cars and one has purchased a home.
Tours of Carolyn’s House are readily available by contacting Director J. Suzan Ben at (716) 278-9662 or jsuzanben@ywcaniagara.org.
Or Join Us for Lunch
Carolyn’s House Monthly Luncheon is open to the public and held every 3rd Tuesday of the month. This luncheon is set up, prepared and served by the Vocational Culinary Arts students at Carolyn’s House. Cost for the luncheon that features soup or salad, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea is only $10.00. Reservations can be made with Chef Sean Male at (716) 278-9662 or smale@ywcaniagara.org and ask to be put on our monthly luncheon list serv.
