With the ceremonial cutting of a ribbon, Jewish Family Services of WNY officially debuted its revamped Delaware District headquarters.
The $2.4 million project saw all of Barker Street headquarters renovated including an enlarged first floor child care center and a top-to-bottom retrofit of its 17,200-square-foot main offices and consulting services. The project was funded by a still-ongoing capital campaign along with donations such private sector firms as M&T Bank and Benderson Development Co. along with public sector allocations from various state agencies including Empire State Development.
Jewish Family Services headquarters at 70 Barker Street are adjoining neighbors to Temple Beth Zion.
Dr. Molly Carr, Jewish Family Services CEO, said while her agency provides a wide range of support services what it lacked was a more modern office for its employees and clients.
"We lacked a welcoming and accessible space for our clients," Carr said.
Jewish Family Services has 120 employees including 80 who work at the Barker Street headquarters and has targeted goal of aiding around 100,000 Western New York residents annually.
"Yes, we are a large organization but, in the end, we are dealing with individuals," said Irv Levy, Jewish Family Services executive director.