Niagara Area Foundation Grantee Spotlight

Niagara Area Foundation Grantee Spotlight

“We like to say that if we were in a larger city like New York, we’d be 10 different organizations,” said Sarina O’Malley, Communications Manager at Community Missions of Niagara Frontier.

But Community Missions is one organization, located in the heart of Niagara Falls, that provides integrated human services that meet people where they are and helps them find and elevate their place in the world.

It has spent the last 100 years continually evolving to meet the needs of the community it serves. What began as a homeless shelter for men in 1925 now provides everything from programs that combat gun violence, to connecting those in need to employment and housing, to services and programming for youth.

One of those programs, Girls Circle, was supported by grants from Niagara Area Foundation in 2016 and again in 2021. The Niagara Area Foundation builds connections and supports critical needs in Niagara County that result in transformative impact, and this program aligns with its youth enrichment priority.

Administered by Community Missions, Girls Circle promotes resiliency and healthy relationships in pre-teen and adolescent girls, working to create safe, culturally competent and trauma-informed environments to honor girls’ development and enhance their abilities.

“Girls Circle helps girls build their self-esteem, create friendships, and provides a safe place for them to talk about any difficulties they may be trying to overcome,” explained Sarina.

During each of its three cycles throughout the year, the program serves about 40 girls in nine schools across the Niagara Falls school district, with weekly sessions spanning 8-12 weeks.

The sessions are filled with guided activities like writing poems, followed by camaraderie and laugher as the girls choose small prizes like bouncy balls for participation.

Faith Christner, who runs the program on behalf of Community Missions, reflects on this meaningful time. “I think the biggest thing the girls walk away with is positive self-talk and the ability to communicate their feelings in a productive way,” she said.