Integrated services fighting poverty and building multigenerational success for low-income individuals across Western New York.
For decades, CAO of WNY has been doing the kind of work that doesn't fit neatly on a balance sheet. Based at 45 Jewett Ave in Buffalo, the Community Action Organization of Western New York operates as a nonprofit community action agency, weaving together education, employment, family support, and treatment services into a single, client-focused system. Generations of Buffalo-area families have walked through these doors, and that continuity means something real.
The agency's reach extends across Western New York, touching lives at every stage, from early childhood classrooms to adult career development programs. CAO of WNY doesn't treat poverty as a single problem with a single fix. It addresses the interconnected pressures that keep families stuck, then builds the scaffolding that helps them climb. That multigenerational focus is what sets this organization apart from narrower social service models.
With a 4.1-star community rating and reviewers who call it a regional landmark and a fixture of their earliest memories, CAO of WNY carries real weight in the neighborhoods it serves. The staff works Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and the mission behind every interaction is the same: move people forward.
CAO of WNY delivers a broad continuum of services designed to meet people where they are and support them through what comes next.
Early Childhood Education through the Head Start program gives young children a strong developmental foundation before kindergarten. Youth Services extend that support into adolescence, while Adult, Family and Community Services address the full range of challenges that households face. For those navigating substance use, the Drug Abuse Research and Treatment (DART) program offers research-grounded care. The Buffalo Futures program and the HOPE Initiative reflect the agency's commitment to long-term community transformation, not just short-term relief.
Career development and job placement assistance round out the picture, connecting adults to employment pathways that can shift a family's economic trajectory for good. Every program connects to the others, so a parent enrolled in job training and a child in Head Start can both be served by the same organization, reducing the friction that often makes help hard to access.
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The Community Action Organization of Western New York is located at 45 Jewett Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214.
CAO of WNY is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
CAO of WNY serves low-income individuals and families across Western New York, with programs designed to support people at every stage of life, from young children through adults.
Programs include Early Childhood Education through Head Start, Youth Services, Adult and Family Community Services, the Drug Abuse Research and Treatment (DART) program, Buffalo Futures, the HOPE Initiative, and career development and job placement assistance.
Yes. CAO of WNY offers career development and job placement assistance to help adults build pathways to sustainable employment.
You can visit caowny.org for detailed program information, or stop by the office at 45 Jewett Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Yes. CAO of WNY is a nonprofit community action agency with a mission to combat poverty and support multigenerational success for low-income individuals and families in Western New York.
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