We provide training to individuals that will assist them to be independent in their daily living. We also provide social and cultural skills enrichment programs.

Programs include Housing Unit, Housing & Financial Stability, and Foreclosure Prevention Project.

CELJ's housing unit assists in a variety of housing matters, including representing tenants in eviction proceedings, homeowners in property tax foreclosure and seniors with landlord/tenant disputes. Additionally, we provide representation for seniors who have housing code violations.

The Housing & Financial Stability Program provides assistance to seniors to help them live affordably in the community. The program includes direct legal services, community education and financial literacy counseling. The program provides representation to seniors who are facing property tax foreclosures, as well as budgeting and financial counseling.

CELJ’s Foreclosure Prevention Project (FPP) helps homeowners who are in danger of losing their home due to mortgage and tax foreclosure. Attorneys and paralegals in this unit can assist clients with understanding their options, responding to legal documents and providing representation in court. We provide services to homeowners who reside in the home that is at risk of foreclosure in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, and Genesee County. There are no age or income restrictions, and our services are free. FPP is a partnership with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo and the Western New York Law Center, and is funded by the Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Program.

The Project SHARE Heating Fund is operated by Heart Share Human Services of New York in partnership with NYSEG and RG&E. To receive a grant, NYSEG and RG&E customers must have an active disconnection on their heating account, they need to meet HEAP income guidelines, and have exhausted available HEAP benefits and emergency aid. Eligibility has been extended to include military veterans and active service members regardless of income. It is a one time benefit of $200 toward a heating expense that can only be received once every 12 months. To apply you can contact NYSEG Customer Services Representatives or Heart Share directly to find where to apply.

Exploring Credit & Debt Management Issues

Making Ends Meet

One-to-One Financial Coaching

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide FREE one-on-one professional financial counseling and coaching to support you in reaching your goals. You can book an appointment online or call 311.

We offer free workshops several times a month on topics that can help you get started making a personal financial plan, finding out what your credit score means and how to improve it, or saving money by cutting your energy use at home. For those who would like individualized coaching as you work toward your financial goals, our One-on-One program matches you with a trained volunteer who will meet with you regularly to talk about your progress, challenges, and next steps.

Temporary Assistance is an income based program that covers families and single adults with ongoing and/or emergency assistance that meet the criteria of the program. The grant amounts cover housing, utilities and personal needs. Temporary Assistance clients also receive food stamp benefits and Medicaid coverage. Application for Temporary Assistance can be made at the Department of Social Services office.

This is a local community pooled trust for people with disabilities and their families. The Future Care Community Pooled Trust serves the Upstate New York area (Monroe and Surrounding Counties)

•The Future Care Trust provides a convenient and economical way to have trust funds administered for people with disabilities. The use of funds from the trust will supplement but not supplant government benefits and enhance the quality of life for beneficiaries.

•The Co-Trustees for the Future Care Trust are the Al Sigl Community of Agencies and Genesee Valley Trust Company. The Program is administered by Future Care Planning Services.

•The money of beneficiaries is pooled to take advantage of better investment opportunities. The Trustees keep a separate sub trust account for each beneficiary.

Clients who are experiencing debt problems are served by VLSP's Debt Management Advice Clinic. This clinic is divided into two sessions and is held every other month between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The first clinic is the group teaching session. Approximately two weeks after the teaching session, the individual counseling session takes place at VLSP's offices

Provide practical budget counseling services and debt consolidation services to work with you and your creditors to build a budget. Then we manage the repayment of your debt. You make one monthly payment to us and we distribute the money to your creditors. Does not include a debt consolidation loan.

The debt management plans at CCCS of Rochester include:

One monthly payment

Lower interest rates

Improved credit score over time

Help from a certified debt management counselor