Admission
All referrals must be made through the Erie County Department of Social Services. This can be done through the 211 system and Homeless Housing Unit.
Individuals who are currently incarcerated who are interested in participating in the program should contact facility DOCCS representatives to request that their case be reviewed by DOCCS for possible referral to “Grace House.” Parolees currently in the community should speak with their assigned Field Parole Officer to request a referral to “Grace House.”
Emergency
Shelter Care
Locally known as “Grace House,” our shelter offers more than just a bed. It’s a place to rest, reset, and rebuild. In Erie County, around 250 men face homelessness every night. Many are referred to us, and with near 100% occupancy the need keeps growing.
Most of our guests are navigating tough challenges including chronic homelessness, mental health issues, or addiction. They arrive feeling lost, unsure, and often without hope. We welcome them with clean clothes, personal care items, and bedding.
Within weeks, guests begin to feel seen and supported. We are there to guide and assist clients in achieving independent living or movement to a living situation that helps them meet their personal needs with community support. We offer client case management with a one-on-one housing care plan, life skills class instruction, employment opportunities, and financial wellness classes. And it works! Nearly 72% of our guests transition to permanent housing with support.
We also connect guests to essential services: medical care, addiction recovery, benefits assistance, and more. For those seeking spiritual support or looking for an opportunity to participate in church services, our Firehouse Church is located in our office building. Firehouse Church affords clients a faith life expression, provides a time to heal, and the privilege to receive comforting scriptural messages as well as offers a space for healing, faith, and friendship.
Most stays last around 90 days, though some guests need more time. For those facing extra challenges like mental health needs or court-ordered supervision, we offer transitional "Aftercare Housing" for ongoing support.
In 2023, Saving Grace supported over 450 adults with more than 400 moving on to stable housing.
At Grace House, we don’t just provide shelter. We help people find their footing and their future.
Agency Contract Partners
Erie County Department of Social Services
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. is a contract partner to Erie County DSS and their emergency shelter program. SGM provides housing to DSS referred clients at multiple properties.
Erie County Re-Entry Task Force
The Erie County Reentry Task Force is a collaboration of service providers, housing providers, government and private agencies, working together to assess the existing services for individuals re-entering society and to encourage the collaboration of service providers to improve services and increase effectiveness.
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. is a Signature Member of the Erie County Reentry Task Force. Membership on this task force represents recognition on the part of local government, community organizations, and service providers that SGM provides a much needed valuable service to the parolee population in Erie County. Through ongoing collaboration and cooperative efforts with other signature agencies, SGM has been a passionate voice for ongoing improvement of service provision to parolees.
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. works with the ECRETF to create housing opportunities for ex-offenders and parolees serviced by the ECRETF “Housing sub-committee”. SGM was also awarded an Erie County Reentry enhancement grant to provide congregate care housing and scattered site housing opportunities for parolees serviced by the ECRETF.
Enhancement Grant Funding from Division of Criminal Justice Services
SGM has been awarded a contract by Erie County Department of Mental Health in conjunction with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), to provide housing case management to identified special needs reentry clients. Funding from this award provides an additional case manager to oversee client engagement in the community. The addition of this case manager will allow higher-functioning parolees to reside SGM aftercare housing, gaining independence and being held accountable for ongoing compliance with parole release conditions, while providing oversight and ongoing case management and assistance.
HUD-City of Buffalo
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. has been a contractor under the City of Buffalo’s Emergency Solutions Grant program since 2003. Under the ESG Program, SGM, Inc. receives contract funding for provision of emergency shelter services to homeless adult males in the City of Buffalo. SGM, Inc. serves over 600 clients per year in the ESG program.
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. has been a contract partner to NYS OTDA since 2006, operating two current contracts to provide case management, housing, and program services to homeless individuals. The Supportive Housing Program (SHP) program provides provides services to homeless adult clients, including life skills training, food, clothing, assistance locating permanent housing and employment, and other needed services. The Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) provides housing location assistance, aftercare follow-up, and supplemental supportive services to assist program graduates in maintaining long-term stable housing.