As the nonprofit restructures operations across the Finger Lakes in response to financial pressures and changing state funding, Child and Family Resources has opened a new hub in Geneva.
The agency’s new location at 821 Preemption Road will serve as a central hub for staff and programs, while the organization downsizes office space in Penn Yan and relocates its Seneca Falls office to a smaller shared space.
Julie Champion with Child and Family Resources said the Geneva site gives the organization more room to operate while helping reduce costs tied to underused office space.
“We found a larger space to operate as our hub for the agency,” Champion said during an appearance on FLX Morning. “It’s centrally located right on 821 Preemption Road in Geneva, and it’s nice. It’s a big space. We’re going to have a large meeting room, small meeting room, room for supervised visitation, and numerous office spaces for staff to land in.”
Champion said the organization recently completed a downsizing of its Penn Yan office at 263 Lake Street, where staff remain in a smaller suite. The Seneca Falls office is also moving from 115 Fall Street to a shared location across the street at 60 Fall Street with Family Counseling Services of the Finger Lakes.
The changes come as nonprofit organizations continue facing rising operational costs and uncertainty surrounding state funding.
Champion said Child and Family Resources lost state funding tied to Family Resource Centers after New York changed its competitive grant process through the Office of Children and Family Services.
“There were several existing family resource centers, including us, who were not refunded,” Champion said. “So, we are looking and had to look at how can we restructure and how can we put [ourselves] in a good position to continue moving forward?”
She said the organization’s work largely happens in homes, child care programs and communities, leaving many office spaces sitting empty throughout the day.
Champion also pointed to rising travel expenses for staff members who work in the field.
“There’s a lot of travel costs, and with the gas costs right now, holy cow, it’s really difficult for staff to maintain that,” she said.
The Geneva hub is already open with limited staffing after internet service was recently installed. Champion said the office is expected to operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The organization expects the new location to expand its ability to host trainings, community meetings and services for child care providers.
Child and Family Resources is also preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year. Champion said the agency hopes to hold an open house and grand reopening event at the Geneva site this fall.
