Upcoming Events
October Events:
Domestic Violence Awareness “In Her Shoes” Simulation – Schuyler County
Schuyler County Human Services Complex
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
10:00 AM – Noon
Domestic Violence Awareness “In Her Shoes” Simulation – Chemung County
New Beginnings United Methodist Church
Thursday, October 22, 2026
10:00 AM – Noon & 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November Events:
FLX Gives 2026
November 12, 2026 – November 13, 2026
6:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join us online for FLX Gives, a 24-hour fundraiser from 6pm to 6pm supporting our Care Management Program to help local individuals have access to essential resources that they need. Keep an eye on our social media for updates!
December Events:
Christmas Family Adoption Drop-Offs
November 30 – December 3
Christmas Family Adoption drop-offs will be spread out over several days, with each donor assigned a special day to deliver their holiday gifts of joy! Sign up online to adopt a family!
Finding Hope, Healing, and Home: Flo’s Journey
For years, Flo lived without a place to call home.
After moving to Elmira for a job opportunity, a health crisis led to job loss and eventually homelessness. For nearly a decade, she experienced instability, addiction, and the daily struggle to survive.
“I had been homeless for ten years,” Flo recalls.
Everything began to change in November 2020 when she moved into an apartment through the Catholic Charities’ ESSHI program at the LaFrance Apartments. For the first time in years, she had a safe place to live and a team of people who believed in her.
“The ESSHI Program and Catholic Charities have this statement: Just because you get high doesn’t mean you don’t deserve housing, and just because you relapse doesn’t mean you’ll lose your apartment,” Flo wrote in her personal story.
Having stable housing gave Flo the foundation she needed to begin addressing the challenges that had controlled her life for years. With support from Catholic Charities staff, she entered treatment, worked through setbacks, and learned new ways to cope with life’s difficulties.
“There were times when I stumbled,” Flo says. “But the staff never gave up on me.”
Flo credits numerous members of the Catholic Charities team for helping her navigate recovery, including case managers, supervisors, treatment providers, and housing staff who consistently encouraged her to keep moving forward.
According to Teresa Cruz, LaFrance Case Manager, the transformation has been remarkable:
“Floral is leaving the ESSHI program a whole different person. She has overcome so much in her journey and has found her faith in God.”
That journey was not quick or easy. Recovery required courage, perseverance, and a willingness to accept help. But with stable housing, supportive services, and a growing belief in herself, Flo continued moving forward.
Flo Before
Flo After
Today, she celebrates more than four years of recovery and has successfully graduated from the LaFrance program. She is living independently and looking toward the future with confidence.
Determined to continue building a brighter future, she enrolled at Corning Community College, where her hard work earned her a place on the President’s List, an honor awarded to students who achieve the highest levels of academic success.
For Flo, the achievement represents more than good grades. It is another milestone in a journey defined by perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to creating a new future for herself.
Lisa Appleby, LaFrance Supervisor, has witnessed that transformation firsthand:
“Floral is the epitome of resilience and strength, watching her transformation has been nothing short of miraculous and a true attestation to the work Catholic Charities does. The staff at LaFrance are all so very proud of Floral and so grateful to be a part of her story.”
Flo now describes herself as energetic, outgoing, and successful. Most importantly, she has rediscovered her sense of purpose and self-worth.
In her own words: “Thank you so much for loving me when I couldn’t.”
Today, Flo’s story stands as a reminder that when people have safe housing, compassionate support, and someone who believes in them, lasting change is possible.
From ten years of homelessness to earning a place on the President’s List, Flo’s story demonstrates what can happen when a person is given stable housing, compassionate support, and the opportunity to succeed.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In October, Catholic Charities of Chemung & Schuyler Counties stands alongside the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to raise awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and promote support.
This October, Catholic Charities’ First Step Victim Services Program is calling on the community to “Shine the Light” on domestic violence. Local businesses, organizations, churches and residents can show their support by displaying purple ribbons, yard signs, or purple lighting. This month will feature Wear Purple Day on October 22, encouraging everyone to wear purple and share photos online in solidarity with survivors.
Sign up online for our “In Her Shoes” Simulation in both counties this October. The simulation will take place in Schuyler County on October 20, from 10:00 AM – Noon at the Human Services Complex (323 Owego St., Montour Falls). In Chemung County, the simulation will take place at New Beginnings United Methodist Church (300 E Miller St., Elmira) on October 22, 10:00 AM – Noon and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. To register, please visit our website.
Join us on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Elmira Elks for a presentation of items collected through Stacy’s Soap Drive. All are invited to the Happy Hour after the event.
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or First Step Victim Services (607-742-9629).