Social Wellness Month

Having financial worries can really hurt our social lives, strain our relationships, and make us feel isolated. For nearly 20 years, July has been celebrated as “Social Wellness Month” by mental health professionals around the world. This month is all about reminding us how important social connections are and encouraging us to take care of our social well-being. Since 2011, the Law Center’s CLARO program has been helping individuals enhance both their financial and social well-being.

Debt collectors often harm our relationships by reaching out to family members, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment for the person who owes money. In many cases, it is illegal for debt collectors to share information about someone’s debt with others, like family members. However, some collectors break the rules or push the limits to get what they want. For example, nursing homes may create problems among family members by pressuring them to cover payments or insurance. They might even sue relatives or accuse them of stealing from each other without any proof. CLARO has helped many people dealing with these unfair practices.

At CLARO, you can improve your social life by focusing on your financial health, resolving your money problems, and freeing yourself to think about other important areas of your life. Our clinics take place every Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Merriweather Library, located at the intersection of Jefferson and Utica in Buffalo. You are welcome to bring your children and supportive family members. It’s a great chance to connect with other visitors, paralegals, financial counselors, and volunteer attorneys who understand what you’re going through. If you can’t make it to our Tuesday sessions, we are also available on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the seventh floor of the Buffalo City Court building, located at 50 Delaware Avenue.