Watson Ministry Center

The Watson Ministry Center stands adjacent to St. Stephen’s Church, connected by a hallway. It has its own entrance on South Clinton St. Volunteers have refurbished the old rooms into three offices downstairs and four upstairs.

Currently, the space is being renovated through grants from USDA Emergency Healthcare Funds, Appalachian Regional Foundation, generous donations for St. Stephen’s Church members, and additional community support.

The Watson Center is comprised of Cattaraugus  Community Action’s Victim Services (3 advocates and 2 therapists) and Miriam Center Staff comprised of 3 full-time therapists and 4 part-time therapists.

The Miriam Center for Hope and Healing is a partnership of Social Workers who focus on the treatment of traumas. Our hope is to provide a comfortable setting where people can find support and treatment for healing and growth.

www.miriamcenterforhope.com

Cattaraugus Community Action’s

Cattaraugus Community Action’s Victim Services is dedicated to:

  • Providing support and resources for victims of crime;
  • Creating an aura of safety;
  • Changing public attitudes regarding victims’ culpability;
  • Building skills and self-esteem to ensure recovery.

    • www.ccaction.org/victim-services

    The Victim Services Department has had the distinct pleasure of having a unit housed in the Watson Ministry Center since 2017.

    Throughout our time here, we have assisted a countless number of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes with our advocacy and therapy services.

    Survivors of abuse and crime are often left with long lasting symptoms related to their traumatic experiences such as fear, anxiety, depression, nightmares and other difficulties as well as court dates, custody issues, housing, financial issues and more.

    The Olean VS office provides support to these survivors through counseling services, with 3 therapists sharing office spaces, serving 143 survivors in 2023; along with advocacy services, serving 590 survivors in 2023, to assist them navigate the criminal justice system, connect with services, provide education and rebuild the self esteem and recovery that
    may have been lost as a victim of crime.

    The VS Olean unit has provided advocacy and therapeutic support to a total of 733 survivors in 2023 alone.

    24-hour Victim Services hotline: 1-888-945-3970