Member Spotlight: Gerard Place

May 17, 2025

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We have grown to be able to provide 14 programs and services to help those with mental health challenges.

Gerard Place is celebrating 25 years of empowering families and individuals toward self-sufficiency via community education and outreach. Located in Buffalo’s poorest zip code, Gerard Place provides housing and supportive programs for homeless, single-parent families, literacy classes, vocational job training and food distribution programs.

We asked David Zapfel, president and CEO about mental health needs in the community.

How is Gerard Place supporting people with mental health challenges?

For 25 years we have provided supportive housing for single parent families with mental health issues. We have grown to be able to provide 14 programs and services to help those with mental health challenges. We now partner with OLV to provide outpatient mental health counseling in our community center.

What is your organization doing to address stigma and share the message that it’s ok to speak up and seek help?

Our case workers go out on the food line and talk to people about their struggles and why they are in need of food. We also make sure to tell them what other resources are available either at Gerard Place or elsewhere that can help them.

Check Out Our First Q&A with Gerard Place