THE RURAL OUTREACH CENTER

716.240.2220 | ruraloutreachcenter@gmail.com

OUR SOLUTION

At the Rural Outreach Center, our participants are active partners in our program. We assist participants in creating their personal road map for success and our program empowers participants as concrete, self-identified goals are met and they elevate themselves toward self-sufficiency. We provide a holistic approach to the needs and challenges of the rural poor and our services focus on children, education, and job creation.

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You ROC!

With your help, ROC continues to change more lives every day!

MEET OUR TEAM

Dr. Frank Cerny, Executive Director, PhD, MDiv

Dr. Frank Cerny is the Executive Director of The Rural Outreach Center (ROC). Frank helped found Pathways Christian Fellowship in the summer of 2006 and The Rural Outreach Center is a ministry outgrowth of that congregation.

Dr. Frank Cerny is professor emeritus, Departments of Pediatrics and Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo. He moved to Buffalo to help establish the Children’s Lung Center at Children’s Hospital and then moved to the University at Buffalo, where he became chair of the department of Physical Therapy, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.

Maria Knickerbocker, Senior Social Worker

Maria is the senior social worker at The Rural Outreach Center (ROC). Maria received her Master’s of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999. She worked in a clinical setting for 13 years before serving in multiple capacities as a social worker. Maria assists participants as they make connections with in-house and community resources while they work toward self-sufficiency. In addition to her LCSW, Maria is a trained children’s play therapist.

Jen Hall, Social Worker

Jen received her MSW in 1997 from the University at Buffalo. She has 20 years of experience as a substance abuse counselor and leads the mental health and substance abuse services at The Rural Outreach Center (ROC). Jen offers considerable experience as a group facilitator that enhances many of theROC’s support groups.

Camille Arth, Social Worker

Camille is the newest member of our ROC team. She is very familiar with and committed to the ROC’s mission and work, as she once interned with us. Camille has assisted in research on youth interfaced with systems relating to homelessness, education, and child welfare. Her interest in community health public policy led her to intern at the office of a New York State assembly member. She received her MSW from the University at Buffalo and her undergraduate degree from John Carroll University. Camille is excited to utilize her research and policy experience as valuable assets to the ROC.

Latest From ROC

Please catch up on all The Rural Outreach Center news and our blog ROC Ripples.