The Rural Outreach Center Inc

Heather came to The ROC after leaving an abusive relationship. She was terrified - she had no job, no car, no way of supporting her two children, and no idea how to cope with the trauma she had experienced for the past several years. She was also determined. Nothing was going to stop her from doing what was best for her children.

Heather met with The ROC's team of licensed mental health providers and care coordinators. Together, they worked to identify goals that Heather wanted to achieve. A care coordinator helped Heather search for jobs within walking distance. A social worker started weekly counseling sessions with Heather to help her process her trauma. When it became clear that seeing his mother abused had impacted Heather's son, another social worker began providing play therapy sessions to Joey so he too could process what had happened.

When Heather arrived at The ROC, she felt hopeless. Today, she feels that her life is full of possibilities. She and her son continue to attend their weekly counseling sessions. Heather has a job and - thanks to support and guidance from The ROC - is on her way to saving for a car. She feels confident in her own abilities to support her family. Her children are safe and happy. Heather is excited about what the future holds.

The ROC offers hope, healing, and support to individuals and families living in rural poverty in WNY. Rural poverty is often considered invisible because of how easy it is for our rural neighbors to be overlooked. Rural communities face transportation barriers, limited employment opportunities, less access to resources, and fewer available mental health services than suburban and urban areas.

The ROC does not provide charity. Instead, it assists, empowers, and elevates people who are actively working to improve their lives. ROC Participants attend counseling sessions, bring their children to play therapy appointments, learn budgeting skills, and set - then achieve - goals designed to help them become self-sufficient.

Our mission is to assist, empower, and elevate the impoverished rural populations in Southern Erie County and the surrounding areas. We serve with compassion, empathy, and respect for all people. For children, our goal is to break the cycle of multi-generational poverty by providing counseling, play therapy, educational opportunities, and programs. We transform lives.