As the largest Catholic Charities fundraiser, the Gala raises money to support those in need in our communities. Guests enjoyed a live auction, silent auction, and raffle baskets donated by local wineries, businesses, and Catholic Charities Board Members.

The Annual Fundraising Gala raised over $53,000 to serve those in our community who turn to Catholic Charities for support. These funds will provide delicious meals at the Elmira Community Kitchen, hygiene supplies at our homeless shelter, and food at our pantries.

Katie Rhodes, Marketing and Development Director of Catholic Charities, commented, “Events like the Gala highlight how our community’s generosity helps us fulfill our mission. Together, we provide hope by empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency as well as offer hope to those who are in need.”

An overview of Catholic Charities programs was shared, along with a Fund-the-Kitchen Paddle Raise which raised $16,500 specifically for the Elmira Community Kitchen.

The success of the Gala is attributed to the following community-minded individuals & businesses: Jan and Clare van de Blink, The Hilliard Corporation; Steve and Karen Hale, Hale Contracting; Scott Heffner, Chemung Canal Trust Company; Marc Stemerman, Chemung Supply Corporation; Eaton; Kirk Vieselmeyer, Elmira Structures, Inc.; Thomas Gough, Gough Holding Corporation; NYSEG; John and Lisa O’Connor, O’Connor Heating and Plumbing; Wegmans Food Markets; Kurt Bartenstein, Dr. John Carozza, Thomas Curren, and the staff at the Elmira Country Club.

If you were unable to attend the Gala, but would still like to contribute, you may donate online or mail a check to 215 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up online.

Each year in October, advocates, survivors, and supporters recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

This fall, Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties is joining the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) in their national combined campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and GiveForDV.

The goal of these two joint initiatives is to start a coordinated national conversation about domestic violence and how we can all contribute to changing the narrative on this overshadowed, but fundamental topic, building on that conversation to raise awareness, increase donations and volunteer efforts, and deepen community engagement by connecting our work nationwide.

More prevalent than most realize, 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the US have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Anyone, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status, can become a victim of domestic violence. This year’s campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it is more than physical violence.

Catholic Charities’ First Step Victim Services Program is asking local businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals to help “Shine the Light” on domestic violence by displaying purple ribbons, yard signs, or purple lights wherever they can during the month of October.

Ashley Kerrick, Schuyler County Director, explains the campaign:  “Purple ribbons have become a way to show support for victims of domestic violence throughout our communities. It also shows our dedication to ending domestic violence and that it will not be tolerated in our community.”

“Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” yard signs are available and can be picked up from the Catholic Charities offices during regular business hours (Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm). Please call (607) 734-9784 to arrange pick up.

Throughout October, Catholic Charities and NNEDV will be sharing content on their social media channels to help raise awareness and educate the public on the complex dynamics of domestic violence.

Two local events will be held that will be an opportunity to remember those lost to domestic violence and honor those who have survived domestic violence and those currently suffering in our community.

• In Schuyler County, join us on October 10 in LaFayette Park in Watkins Glen from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
• In Chemung County, the event will be held at Wisner Park in Elmira on October 17 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Attendees are encouraged to wear purple and visit the Catholic Charities’ table to pick up information on services.

Lastly, the Safe to Say Campaign, which started in 2020, is a partnership with local businesses and organizations to offer victims a safe place where it is “safe to say” what happened so that they can get the help they need. Training has been offered at multiple locations since 2020. The idea originated with the realization that many victims of domestic violence have no one to talk to and/or no one who knows what resources are available to help them. This campaign seeks to ensure places throughout the community can be ready with the right resources. If your business or location is interested in becoming a Safe to Say location, please sign up.

Free and confidential help is available 24/7 for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Those seeking help may contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at TheHotline.org or 1-(800) 799-SAFE (800) 799-7233) or our First Step Victim Services Hotline at 607-742-9629 (call or text).

For more information on October’s events, contact Katie Rhodes, Marketing and Development Director at Catholic Charities at 607-317-5577 or visit the event page or Facebook page.

2024 Summer Newsletter

Catholic Charities is requesting your help preparing local kids for a successful school year. From now until August 14, area businesses and Catholic Charities will be collecting new school supplies.

The following businesses have partnered with Catholic Charities and Strong Kids Safe Kids to offer drop-off locations in Chemung County:

• Chapel Park
• Chemung County Library District (Big Flats, Horseheads, Steele Memorial, West Elmira locations)
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Corning Community College – Elmira Campus
• Department of Aging
• Panosian’s Famous Shoes
• Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service – Horseheads
• The Purple Iris Boutique, Horseheads
• Tranquility Beauty Shop
• Treu Office Supply & Furniture, Elmira

The following businesses have partnered with Catholic Charities to offer locations in Schuyler County:

• Chemung Canal Trust Company – Montour Falls & Watkins Glen
• Famous Brands
• Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service – Odessa & Montour Falls
• Quinlan’s Pharmacy, Montour Falls
• The Hi-Lites
• Visions Federal Credit Union
• Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce,Downtown Visitor Center at 214 N. Franklin, Watkins Glen: open every day, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Watkins Glen Public Library

Donations will also be accepted at the Catholic Charities Main Office (215 E Church St, Elmira): Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and at the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry (112 10th St, Watkins Glen): Tuesday and Friday, 9 am – 2 pm, Thursday, Noon – 4 pm.

“We are deeply appreciative of the partnership of our local businesses who make the Back to School Drive a success every year,” stated Nancy Koons, Executive Director for Catholic Charities. “It’s truly a community effort to help hundreds of children in Chemung and Schuyler Counties.”

In Schuyler County, backpacks will be distributed through the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry on August 27^th and 29^th. Pre-registration is required by noon on August 23 for backpacks and school supply starter kits. Registration will be available at www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org starting August 1^st.

In Chemung County, Catholic Charities has partnered with Strong Kids Safe Kids to distribute backpacks and school supply starter kits at the Annual Strong Kids Safe Kids event on August 24 from 11 am – 2 pm at the Chemung County Fairgrounds. No registration is required. New backpacks will be available for students in kindergarten to 6^th grade.

For a complete list of needed items and additional ways to donate, please visit Catholic Charities’ website (www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org), email Katie Rhodes at Katie.Rhodes@dor.org, or call 607-734-9784.

About Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler:
Catholic Charities provides support to individuals and families in our community to help them live a more self-reliant life. They specialize in emergency services and housing support. For more information on services, please visit www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org or call
607-734-9784.

 About Strong Kids Safe Kids:
Strong Kids Safe Kids of Chemung County is a mission-based, all-volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization focused on building strong, safe, and healthy families by providing information about helpful community services while engaging children and their families in fun, educational activities.

In collaboration with the Elmira Pioneers, Catholic Charities is inviting the community to come out to Dunn Field on July 13^th for an enjoyable evening of baseball, while Catholic Charities brings to light how our community can become aware of and combat domestic violence.

Families in every community in the United States across age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds are impacted by domestic violence. In Chemung and Schuyler Counties, Catholic Charities’ First Step Victim Services Program assists innocent victims of crime, with a strong focus on victims of domestic violence. In 2023, First Step served almost 200 individuals with over 4,088 services. First Step’s local 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling or texting 607-742-9629 at any time.

At the Pioneers game on July 13^th , attendees are encouraged to wear purple, the color of domestic violence awareness. There will be purple shirts for sale, as well as a jersey raffle and 50/50. All proceeds will help the First Step program continue to provide needed services to victims in our community. Call 607-734-2690 for your tickets. The game starts at 6:35 pm with gates opening at 5:35 pm. There will be a photo booth station and giveaways for the whole family.

For more information on First Step, please visit their page or call 607-535-2050 and speak with an Advocate.