Carolyn’s House is the story of a vision the YWCA had for a refuge where women and children in crisis could begin to rebuild their lives.  Carolyn’s House was not envisioned to be just a building but was about the concept that services and support offered in a dignified and safe atmosphere would help women and children meet their personal goals and become empowered and self sufficient.  Along the way, a historic facility; once a residence for nurses studying at Niagara University, was renovated and saved from destruction.  This building is now a beautifully restored, vital part of the community.  The centrally located community-based residence offers on-site support services in the state of the art culinary training center, technology center and training facility.  By offering housing with supportive services, including job training and placement, and case management, residents are provided with tools to achieve their full potential as individuals and as members of society.  The 19 apartment facility has comfortably housed 80 women and over 100 children over the past four years.  Support services have included: GED/ESL, computer skills and basic technology training, Certified Nursing Assistant and Janitorial Training, Parenting Skills, summer camp, children’s support groups and domestic violence counseling, case management and nutritional/culinary training.

The following is a time-line of the history of Carolyn’s House:

2002
The YWCA worked with community activist Carolyn Van Schaik to analyze the potential of the facility at 542 6th Street in the city of Niagara Falls as a site for supported housing for homeless women and children; a need identified through the Continuum of Care process.

2003
With the support of the University at Buffalo’s Law School’s clinics, the team developed the initial proposals for funding to renovate the building.  Weeks after submitting the funding applications, Carolyn Van Schaik was killed in a tragic automobile accident prompting the YWCA to name the facility in her memory.

2004
With the support of the UB Law School Clinics, and new consultant Janet Meiselman, the funding applications were finalized and submitted.  The approximately six million dollar project was funded by a combination of city, state, county, federal and private dollars including: the City of Niagara Falls HOME funds, Niagara County IDA, New York State Low Income Housing and Historic Tax Credits, New York State Homeless Housing Assistance grant, Federal Home Loan Bank funds and the YWCA of Niagara private donation and community donors.  The building was rehabilitated within one year under budget and opened for residents on August 6, 2005. 

2005-2009
Carolyn’s House is at capacity and has added many new programs.  With one, two and three bedroom, fully equipped apartments, Carolyn’s House can serve the needs of women with multiple children.   Hallmark programs, supported by local foundations including; The John R. Oishei Foundation and Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo include Carolyn’s House Culinary Institute and the Assets for Independence program.  In 2007, the “Catering Crew” a full service catering business opened at Carolyn’s House offering employment opportunities for residents, training for service careers and fee income for the culinary training.  

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