A Brief History of The Franciscan Center

The Franciscan Center opened its doors on April 1, 1980, when two Franciscan Friars from Bishop Timon High School rented a house at 395 Cumberland Avenue in South Buffalo. Thus began the “apostolate for runaway adolescents”. Interest in this apostolic work prompted Father Patrick Mendola, OFM Conv. from St. Francis High School to join the two Franciscans in July 1981. The following November, the Center was legally incorporated under the directorship of Fr. Patrick.

The Cumberland Avenue facility soon became inadequate and so on May 28, 1982, The Franciscan Center moved to its present location on the corner of Seneca Street and Roanoke Parkway. The two Franciscans from Timon High School left the program and Fr. Patrick was joined by Fr. Kenneth Ward, OFM Conv. in July 1982. Father Ken, a dynamic force in the growth of the Center, remained on staff until his untimely death on November 10, 1989.

Runaway and homeless youth began coming from all areas of Western New York and beyond. Many of these young people found the Center a haven where they could turn their lives around in a nurturing, homelike atmosphere. The Friars continued to hear and respond to the call of the Gospel and St. Francis - to care for and heal the body and soul of those most in need.

In 1985, a house located at 7 Roanoke Parkway was accepted as a gift from Mr. William McMullen, which allowed for further expansion. The following year this house was dedicated, and the Friary (living quarters of the Friars) was blessed and placed under the patronage of St. Joseph, the Foster Parent. The provincial administration of St. Anthony Province has sent 18 Friars to serve at the Center over the years. Due to decline in the number of friars available, the Friary eventually closed and is now used for the Administration Wing, affording much more space for the Transitional Independent Living Program.

As the needs of the youth continued to grow, the Friars realized the need for two separate programs: a long-term program for those ready and willing to work on long-term goals of personal growth, education, employment, etc.; and an emergency program to help those in crisis situations, or who are in need of a temporary place to stay. In April 1989, the house at 1920 Seneca Street was purchased, and then opened in September 1989 as the Emergency Shelter. The Franciscan Center also received NYS certification in 1989.

In 1990, Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv., succeeded Fr. Patrick Mendola as Executive Director of The Franciscan Center. From its modest beginning, The Franciscan Center has grown to provide both emergency and long-term shelter for young men, ages 16-20. The Emergency Shelter allowed youth the opportunity to be off the street and to work out any problems for a period of thirty days. These youth work closely with the staff and address the issues of education, employment, future living alternatives and counseling to work out family or substance abuse problems.

Transitional Independent Living Program Shelter allows youth up to one year to develop skills and attributes that will help them to become independent, while furthering their education and working on more long-term goals. In addition to housing several youth each year, The Franciscan Center also ministers to hundreds of men, women, youth and children each year in crisis situations by outreach, counseling and referrals.

In December 2007, the Emergency Shelter closed, after a long discernment process. Trends, studies, and experience show that youth need more than a few days to “get their life together.” With the encouragement and approval of NYS Office of Children and Family Services and the approval of our Board of Directors, we converted the house at 1920 Seneca Street into a “Supported Residence” with three suites for youth, who are committed to carry out an Individual Service Plan, stay for several months, and continue in school and/or employment. The Supported Residence, still part of the Transitional Living Program within the NYS OCFS umbrella, affords youth a setting and program which more clearly reflects actual “independent living, since the house is not staffed around the clock.

The mission of The Franciscan Center flows from the mission statement of the St. Anthony of Padua province. The fraternal life of the Friars animates the ministry of the Center. Compassion and hospitality are hallmarks of this ministry to youth. Responsibility is shared in a spirit of collegiality with the dedicated laymen and women - both paid and volunteer staff. Finally, the emerging needs of a broken society are met with as much on-going outreach as is spiritually, physically and financially possible.