Bishop Thomas Hickey

First Board President of Rochester Catholic Charities Association, 1912.

Kathleen d’Olier

Executive Director of Catholic Charity Guild (now CFC). A nurse in WWI and Director of the American Junior Red Cross, Ms. d'Olier's passion was to serve and improve the welfare of single or widowed mothers and their children.

Charles & Genesee Settlement Houses

Resettling Italian Immigrants and German Refugees

What was the purpose of a settlement house? CFC had staff who went out into the neighborhood and visited with families, organized after-school activities for the children, offered a pre-school program in the mornings and afternoons, particularly for children whose parents worked. CFC offered a summer day camp, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troups, after-school activities, conducted “English for foreigners” classes and a well-baby clinic. Basically, the purpose was to do anything the neighborhood needs to thrive, by working in collaboration with the best of the community resources.

St. Joseph's Villa

Opened by the Sisters of St. Joseph to care for and guide orphaned children, "We will take care of you."

Mary Hannick

Director Genesee Settlement House, 1947-1971. CFC dedicated a new residential drug treatment home in Newark, NY, Hannick Hall, for women and children, 1993

Mary Hannick began working at the Charles Settlement House in 1935. When the Executive Director, Elsie Strebber, left to get married (at the time, married women could not work for Catholic Charities), Mary was given her job. As Director in 1947, Ms. Hannick received an annual salary of $1,200.

Our Name

The Family and Children's Department of Catholic Charities was renamed Catholic Family Center.

In 1950, reflecting a national move toward family–oriented services, we changed our name to Catholic Family Center. More and more, our services demonstrated a primary goal of preservation and strengthening of the family, and with emphasis on prevention. During the ensuing decades, our mission expanded through programs focused on strengthening families, and the expansion of immigrant services.

DePaul Child Guidance Clinic

Under the direction of Dr. Albert Sullivan, DePaul Child Guidance Clinic for Catholic School Children opened its doors.

Hungarian Immigrants, Cuban refugees, Southeast Asian refugees

From serving Hungarian refugees fleeing the 1956 uprising, to Cuban refugees in the 1960s escaping the reign of Fidel Castro, to the creation of the Southeast Asian Refugee Program in 1975, CFC has continuously adapted our refugee services to meet the needs of our world, our country and our community.

Catholic Charities

St. Joseph's Villa, Charles Settlement House, Genesee Settlement House & DePaul Clinic incorporate separately from Catholic Charities, to become independent agencies.

Liberty Manor

First substance abuse residential program for women and their young children in upstate NY

Carolyn Portanova

CEO, 1989-2011, Athena award winner for her enormous contributions to the larger community (2005).

Serving as CEO for 22 years, Ms. Portanova led the growth of the agency from $6 million in 1989 to its current position as the largest multi-service organization in Monroe County. Ms. Portanova served as Director of Catholic Family Center’s Restart Substance Abuse Department from 1983 to 1989, where she developed a nationally recognized residential substance abuse treatment model for women and their children.

During her time with CFC, Ms. Portanova was widely recognized and awarded for her outstanding contributions to the field of substance abuse treatment, her work with interfaith community action and her innovation in the delivery of human services. Her positive impact in our community and throughout the state is recognized even today.

Jack Balinsky

Becomes Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester.

Jack began his professional career working at an inner city settlement house, The Huntington Family Center, in Syracuse. Subsequently, he served as the Mayor’s Youth Coordinator, until beginning work on September 1, 1971 with Catholic Charities in Syracuse. For the past forty years, Jack has continued his association with Catholic Charities in New York State. For his contributions to Catholic Charities across the county and state, Jack was recognized in September 2010, when he was presented a Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal.

Healthy Sisters' Soup & Bean Works is founded.

"From Dependence to Independence," Healthy Sisters' Soup & Bean Works provides a nurturing work environment for women in recovery by providing the opportunity to develop self-confidence and learn the job skills needed to successfully reenter the workforce.

A New Office

CFC relocates to 87 N. Clinton Ave.

During our Centennial Year, Catholic Family Center will open a new office, housing some of our Restart Substance Use programs and our Executive Offices, at 79 North Clinton. CFC is grateful to be a part of the economic development of downtown Rochester.

CFC Grows

Acquisition of Family Services of Rochester, strengthening community-based mental health, drug treatment and elder services.

Our Current CEO

Marlene Bessette, CEO, 2014 - present, named Non-Profit Executive of the Year during the 2015 Greater Rochester Awards in large part due to her personal leadership in our community to attack poverty.

Prior to joining CFC, Ms. Bessette worked for Xerox Corporation for 28 years in a variety of senior management roles. Marlene joined CFC in January of 2013 following a volunteer experience where direct exposure to the challenges of poverty in Rochester convinced her to work in the 'for-purpose' rather than 'for-profit' world.

Mentors for Success

Mentors for Success, (RMAPI) 2015 - future. The power of collective impact. Together, we can transform our city.

During this pilot, 2 different coaching offerings will be provided: Bridges to Success and Family Independence Initiative. The ultimate goal of adult mentoring is to help people living in poverty overcome the barriers that have been preventing them from securing and retaining living-wage employment.