HUD BUFFALO STAFF LEND A HAND AT THE LOCKPORT CARES EMERGENCY SHELTER

Left to right: Mary Ann Oliver, Vicki Vigorito, Chevelle McCray, Claudette Holinaty, Elizabeth McClam, Lisa Mrzygut, Linda Moore, Caitlin Donovan, and Leah Gallagher.

HUD Buffalo Field Office staff volunteered at Lockport CARES, the only homeless shelter in central and eastern Niagara Falls. Lockport CARES is an emergency homeless shelter that offers individuals and families stays of up to 10 business days.

The visit, organized by FPM Management Analyst Claudette Holinaty, provided HUD staff with an opportunity to reach out and see first-hand what their day-to-day operations and needs are, so that they can better serve this community. Mary Ann Oliver, Vicki Vigorito, Chevelle McCray, Claudette Holinaty, Elizabeth McClam, Lisa Mrzygut, Linda Moore, Caitlin Donovan, and Leah Gallagher, spent the day assisting with cleaning, organizing space, and grounds keeping.

HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) supports the nationwide commitment to ending homelessness by providing funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families. Through these opportunities, SNAPS advocates self-sufficiency and promotes the effective utilization of mainstream resources available to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. HUD serves over 1 million people through emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs each year.

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