What CAO of Western New York Offers — Programs for Buffalo and Erie County Residents
The Community Action Organization of Western New York — known as CAO of WNY — is one of the largest nonprofit service organizations in the Buffalo area, operating more than 50 program locations across Erie and Niagara counties. It's the kind of organization that's easy to underestimate from the outside: the name suggests a general community agency, but the actual scope runs from infant care in Head Start classrooms to addiction treatment to urban farming to senior arts programs. This page is a guide to understanding what CAO actually offers, who each program serves, and how to connect with the right one for your situation — so you don't have to navigate a website with dozens of locations on your own.
CAO of WNY's administrative office is at 45 Jewett Avenue, Suite 150, Buffalo, NY 14214. The main phone number is (716) 881-5150. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most programs have their own locations and contacts, listed below.
- TIP: To reach the right person for your specific need, calling the main number and describing your situation is the most reliable first step.
Emergency and Family Services — food, utility help, and immediate needs
When a household hits a sudden crisis, the Emergency and Family Services Department is the part of CAO most people need first. This department operates food pantries, an Emergency Home Food Delivery program for residents who cannot get to a pantry, and utility assistance programs that help with heating and energy bills.
The main food pantry is located inside The Resource Council of WNY at 347 East Ferry St., Buffalo, NY 14208, and can be reached at (716) 480-5153. Pantry visits are limited to once every 14 days per household and serve residents of the 14204, 14208, 14209, and 14211 zip codes. Bring a photo ID, proof of address, and reusable bags; service is first come, first served. There are other places for food in the area as well - see the guide to food pantries in Erie County.
CAO also runs a Mobile Market program that brings fresh, locally grown produce to neighborhoods at no cost, with rotating locations across Erie County. Dates and locations are posted at https://www.caowny.org/foodsupport.
For utility and rental assistance, holiday toy drives, and Thanksgiving turkey distributions — all of which run seasonally — the same Emergency and Family Services team handles intake. Call (716) 881-5150 and ask for the Emergency and Family Services case manager.
Housing assistance and development - direct financial help and more
CAO's Housing Development Office operates out of St. Martin's Village at 564 Dodge St., Buffalo, NY 14208, phone (716) 881-6543. Its work spans two tracks. The first is direct assistance for residents in housing difficulty — rental and mortgage assistance, apartment searches, and home repair support. The second is longer-term housing development, building and maintaining affordable and low-to-moderate income housing in Erie County. For someone who needs help now — behind on rent, facing eviction, or needing a repair they can't afford — the direct assistance track is the starting point.
CAgrO — urban agriculture and fresh produce access
The CAgrO Urban Agriculture Program grows fruits, vegetables, and herbs on a plot on Buffalo's East Side and distributes the produce to food assistance programs and low-income communities across Western New York. It operates in partnership with local farms to extend what's available beyond what CAO grows directly. For residents who receive food assistance through CAO, CAgrO produce supplements that supply seasonally.
Head Start and Early Head Start — children from birth to age 5
CAO runs the second-largest Head Start operation in New York State, a scale that matters because it means this program is actually accessible — there are Head Start academies scattered across Buffalo neighborhoods, Cheektowaga, Lackawanna, Depew, Springville, Gowanda, and into Niagara County. The program serves children from six weeks through age 5, providing early childhood education, health and developmental screenings, nutrition services, and family support. Eligibility is income-based. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers; Head Start serves preschool-age children. Several sites offer both.
To find the nearest location or enroll, the main number at (716) 881-5150 is the starting point, or see the full list of academy locations at https://www.caowny.org/head-start-locations.
DART — Drug Abuse Research and Treatment
CAO's addiction treatment program, DART, has operated since 1971 and is one of the organization's most distinct offerings — it's not common for a community action agency to run a licensed substance use treatment clinic in-house. DART is located at 1237 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209, phone (716) 884-9101. It takes a holistic, integrated approach to treatment and accepts multiple insurance plans including Medicaid. Patients who are uninsured or underinsured should call directly to discuss options. DART describes its approach as addressing recovery as a long-term process, not a one-time intervention — which means patients can expect case management and ongoing support rather than a single intake-and-discharge model.
HOPE Initiative — employment and economic stability for Buffalo families
The HOPE Initiative is a city of Buffalo-specific program funded through New York State's Child Poverty Reduction Initiative. It is designed for residents of the city of Buffalo — not all of Erie County — who are unemployed or working low-wage jobs while receiving public benefits, or who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty guideline with a child under 18 in the home.
What makes HOPE different from a standard job placement program is the dual-coach model: each participant is paired with both a Life Coach who works through personal barriers and challenges, and a Career Coach who builds a plan toward sustainable employment. The goal is not just job placement but transition away from public benefits over time. For residents stuck between not earning enough and losing benefits, HOPE is explicitly designed for that gap. Contact CAO at (716) 881-5150 to ask about current enrollment.
Buffalo Futures — young adults ages 16 to 24
Buffalo Futures serves young adults in the gap between youth programs and adult workforce systems — the 16-to-24 age range that often falls through. The program connects participants to education, job training, and employment supports tailored to young people who may be out of school and out of work. Contact the main office for current program details and eligibility.
Youth Services — Leadership Academy and Education Task Force
CAO runs a summer Leadership Academy for youth between 11 and 14 at the JFK and Leadership Academy site at 114 Hickory St., Buffalo, NY 14204, phone (716) 332-4554. The Education Task Force supports high school students with mentoring and educational guidance. Both programs serve young people in Buffalo's low-income neighborhoods and are free to eligible participants.
Ageless Wonders — senior programming
CAO's senior program, Ageless Wonders, is worth knowing about precisely because it's not what most people expect from a social services agency. It operates at two Buffalo locations — the CAO Pratt-Willert Community Center at 114 Hickory Street and the CAO Edward Saunders Unity Center at 2777 Bailey Ave — offering free recreational activities, social programming, art workshops, guest speakers, and community outings. Transportation is available for seniors who live within two miles of either site. For seniors who are isolated or whose daily life has contracted significantly, this is a concrete, free resource with a regular schedule. Contact (716) 881-5150 for current hours and programming.
Tax preparation and financial literacy
CAO provides free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for income-qualified filers during tax season, as well as financial literacy programming to help households budget, manage debt, and build basic financial stability. These services are coordinated through the main office; call to confirm current season dates and any appointment requirements.
Contact information for CAO
CAO of WNY was founded in 1965 as part of the federal War on Poverty. It serves more than 50,000 individuals and families annually across Erie and Niagara counties. There are other programs available as well from a number of locations. For a current list of all program locations, visit https://www.caowny.org/locations
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?