COVID-19 Helpline Launched

To more quickly connect Western New Yorkers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to the services they need, Catholic Charities of Buffalo has launched a COVID-19 helpline. By calling 218-1419 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., one can reach a Catholic Charities staff member about mental health and substance abuse counseling, make arrangements to obtain food from one of the organization’s nine food pantries, or seek assistance with housing, utilities or other related basic living needs. “Many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet or facing challenges impacting their health and well-being as the coronavirus pandemic continues,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president & CEO, Catholic Charities. “Being able to put food on the table and obtain basic emergency assistance and mental health counseling are vital during this time. Catholic Charities is doing everything we possibly can to provide a path to hope and we believe this central phone number offers added support.” Over the past five weeks, Catholic Charities provided services more than 25,500 times to more than 20,400 individuals and families in need through all of its programs, including food pantries, basic emergency assistance, mental health and substance use counseling, domestic violence programs, and WIC. A total of 18% more people turned to the food pantries for help, and WIC is seeing a 25% increase in services provided, during this time over last year. Additional information about Catholic Charities’ services can be found at ccwny.org.

BOCES Courses Moved Online

While New York Pause continues through May 15, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES is moving workforce development courses online. Adult education students who were enrolled in, or wish to enroll in, English as a Second Language or high school equivalency/adult basis education classes will do so via distance learning. Any student from the greater Jamestown area who wishes to enroll in ESL or HSE/ABE courses can contact Beth Pearson at 484-6190 or email bpearson@e2ccb.org for class details. Any student in the Gowanda/Angola area who would like to enroll in the HSE/ABE course can contact Fred Heary at 998-0491 or email fheary@e2ccb.org for class details. For more information regarding E2CCB programming visit e2ccb.org.

DMV Installs Drop Boxes

MAYVILLE — Outside drop boxes have been installed at the Dunkirk and Mayville DMV offices. Renewals may now be dropped off at any one of our three DMV offices 24 hours a day as well as mailing them in. “We will accept registration renewals, plate surrenders, vehicle registrations for new purchases and plate transfers,” County Clerk Larry Barmore said. “All automobile dealer work can now be left at any one of our DMV offices. We cannot renew driver’s licenses at this time … New York State has extended the expiration date on driver’s licenses until further notice. New York state DMV is currently closed and has been closed for several weeks. Any renewals done online will not be processed by them at this time. Make sure that all DMV work is mailed to a Chautauqua County DMV office or left in one of our drop boxes. You may call any of the DMV offices with questions … Whether by mail or drop box, please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope large enough to hold what you are requesting, and containing enough postage for your request as we will mail your items to you, and include your phone number as we will need to contact you for payment. Any forms that you need can be found on the NYS DMV website at www.dmv.ny.gov.”