BestSelf opens new child advocacy center on Main Street

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — BestSelf is opening a new child advocacy center on Main Street in Buffalo, it was announced on Thursday.

The new center will focus on enhancing child protection and care, including children that become victims of sexual abuse. According to officials at BestSelf, more than 3,000 children report sexual abuse in Erie County annually.

This new facility on Main Street is replacing the currently existing facility on Franklin Street. Around $10.5 million was spent to create the new facility. BestSelf said they can only see about one-third of reported cases, but the new facility will allow them to see all children.

The new facility to will have more therapy offices, more forensic interview rooms, along with other upgrades.

“This is a significant step forward in BestSelf’s ability to serve our community with greater capacity, efficiency, and impact,” BestSelf president and CEO Liz Woike said.

For more on BestSelf and the new center, click here.

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here .