On Thursday, September 26^th, more than 60 volunteers from local Home Depot locations donated time and resources to remodel Baker Victory Services’ Emergency Foster Care Program cottage.  The project focused on renovating the cottage’s kitchen, bathrooms, living areas, and landscaping to provide an inviting and comfortable environment where WNY at-risk children in the foster care system will receive care.

Improvements to the cottage were necessary due to the age and condition of the building. Constructed in the 1950’s, the cinder-block building was stark and institutional in nature and did not offer the ideal home-like setting.  The renovations helped provide a comfortable environment for children during this difficult time in their lives.

“Since Father Baker arrived at our ‘City of Charity’ more than a century ago, hundreds of thousands of children dealing with behavioral and emotional issues brought on by a history of trauma, neglect, or abuse have been welcomed with open, loving arms,” Cindy Lee, CEO, Baker Victory Services, said.  “Thank you to all of the Home Depot volunteers for working to positively impact the lives of children in our emergency foster care program.  The remodeled cottage is now a much more welcoming setting for those under our care.”

Established in 2016 and licensed by NYS Office of Children and Family Services, the Baker Victory Services Emergency Foster Care Program provides a safe, immediately available placement option in cases where removal of children from their homes is necessary for their own protection. It is the only program of its kind in Western New York and it has two facilities: Nelson Cottage – that can care for 9 children - and Michael Cottage – that can care for 10 children.  In the three years since its inception, the program has served 237 children.

Baker Victory Services is the legacy human service organization of Father Nelson Baker.

To view a video of this wonderful project please click here.