Press Release
Niagara Falls, NY - October 13, 2026
Casey House is Pinnacle Community Services’ short-term emergency shelter for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth, under the age of 18. Casey House is the only shelter of its kind in Niagara County. Casey House provides meals and beds as well as safe environment for positive youth development, assistance, and connections to much needed services. Casey House was opened in 1995 and has since been able to function because of a major federal grant.
According to New York State Education Department, 802 school-aged youth were reported as homeless in Niagara County in 2024. This represents a 61% increase in reported youth homelessness since 2021. Many of these young people are unaccompanied youth who have very limited options for escaping homelessness. They have left unsafe living conditions due to abuse or trafficking or were kicked out of their homes. Many homeless youth are sleeping in vehicles or couch surfing. Casey House provides a safe place for these youth and allows them space to grow and learn in a comfortable environment, surrounded by trusted adults.
In 2025, Casey House served 96 youth, providing 937 nights of safety. Our hotline received 1,868 calls. We’ve assisted youth in schoolwork, developing coping skills, and building confidence. We’ve helped families build a path forward through mediation. We’ve helped youth build future plans, and achieve their goals, including further education, joining the work force, and joining the military.
In early October, we were made aware that we did not receive crucial federal funds equating to $350,000, to continue operations of our homeless and runaway youth shelter, Casey House. These federal funds have made up a majority of our general operating funds for Casey House. This decision has forced us to look at our program and decide how we move forward. We believe in the mission of Casey House, and care deeply about youth in our community. Because of this, our goal is to continue Casey House operations. This community has supported Casey House for over 30 years, and we’re hopeful that they’ll continue to do so.
We’re asking for additional support from the Federal Government, New York State, Niagara County, and private foundations and individuals to help sustain Casey House operations for years to come. This funding is essential to allow us to keep Casey House open, and continue to provide a safe place for youth, while connecting them to resources and support they need to move toward stable and successful futures.