About the Center for Joy
 
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Mission Statement:
“The mission of the Center for Joy, Inc. is to provide education referral services and support to the households in Census Tracks 206 and 207 (part of zip code 14305) in order to promote independence and improve quality of life; to empower individuals and households to achieve self-sufficiency and to strengthen the community-at-large via collaboration and networking with other agencies.”
History:
The Center for Joy was incorporated in May of 1992 as a 501(c)3 agency. The Center has a Board of Directors which governs the center and is responsible for it’s policy development and long-range planning and direction. The Director, Sr. Beth Niederpruem, osf, LMSW, operates the daily activities and program of the center. Ms. Bennie Hamilton, Assistant Director, as well as volunteers from the surrounding community provide educational opportunities for area families and their children.
The Neighborhood:
According to the U.S. Census figures, Niagara Falls tops the county municipalities with the greatest share of residents (45% or 27,984 people) who are receiving services from Public Assistance. Within a mile of the Center for Joy lives 43% of those on public assistance and 60% of these are unmarried mothers in the county.
 
A quarter of the neighborhood residents are over the age or 65, and many of them live isolated in single-family dwellings. Many of these people are also providing full-time parenting to the grandchild in their families due to poverty, violence, crime and chemical addictions.
Board of Directors
2008
President Anthony Leo Financial Consultant, First Niagara Bank Secretary Charlotte Senulis Director of Education and Staff Development, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Vice President Sister Margaret Wetzel, OSF Leadership Team Member & Vocation Director, Sisters of St. Francis, NY Treasurer Jackie O’Lay Comptroller, ECMC
Adele Burti, RD CDN
Physician Services Coordinator,
Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center
 
Christine Hausrath
President,
Hausrath Landscaping Inc.
 
Most. Rev. James Lagonas, Esq.
Attorney,
Watermark Group
 
Mae Nix
Retired, Phlebotomist
 
Dorothy Spears
Retired, Niagara Falls School Teacher &
Jeannine Hardy
National Accounts Specialist
Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.
 
Ed Holmes
Diesel Engineer
New York Power Authority
 
Lynda Mahoney, RN
Nurse Manager
Mount St. Mary’s Neighborhood Health
 
Nancy Schmidt
First Niagara Bank
 
Marie Wilson
Retired, Harrison Radiator  
Community Activist & Neighborhood Rep