Parent Organization Also Announces New Presidents of Gateway-Longview New Directions Youth and Family Services
Buffalo, NY (September 12, 2024) – James W. Coder, CEO of New View Alliance, the parent organization of Gateway-Longview, Inc. and New Directions Youth and Family Services, Inc., will retire on December 31, 2024, after more than 50 years of working with child service organizations. Carolyne DeFranco, currently serving as President, will take over as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“The Board of Directors is extremely grateful for Jim’s longtime visionary leadership and illustrious career at New Directions, and subsequently, at New View Alliance,” said Edward L. Arcara, New View Alliance Board Chair. “Jim has devoted his career in service to children, and both organizations have grown and flourished under his leadership. He has worked collaboratively with Carolyne over the last several years and supports her new role, which we know will allow a seamless transition and successfully move the mission of the organization forward. Carolyne has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the CEO of Gateway Longview and as the President of New View Alliance. The future looks bright!”
Since affiliating in 2020, New View Alliance supports the missions, employees and services of both Gateway-Longview and New Directions. The non-profit organizations provide an array of services for children throughout Western New York, including behavioral health, foster care & adoption, community-based, residential treatment, and special education services. Together, Gateway Longview and New Directions serve nearly 10,000 children each year.
The Board of Directors, which includes the same members for all three organizations, also announced new leadership for Gateway-Longview and New Directions. Kristy D’Angelo will be promoted from Chief Operating Officer of Gateway-Longview to President, and Sarah Taylor, current COO, will be the President of New Directions Youth and Family Services, Inc., both effective January 1, 2025. Both Presidents, whose agencies act as independent entities, will report directly to DeFranco.
DeFranco has served as President of New View Alliance since 2020 and President and CEO of Gateway-Longview, Inc. since 2013, the first woman to lead the agency in its history, which began in 1890. DeFranco has more than 30 years’ experience in the social services field. Under DeFranco’s leadership, the agency expanded services and increased the number of children and families served. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University and completed the Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program as well as Six Sigma training.
"This partnership exemplifies our commitment to providing the best services possible for children and families. I am excited to expand on the synergy created by these two great organizations over the past five years--we are more efficient and effective in programs and advocacy because of our collaboration. I am most excited to get to know New Directions even deeper and humbled to play a bigger role in such an extraordinary organization." said DeFranco. “I also want to wish Jim the very best on his retirement and thank him for all of his great work and dedication for more than 50 years helping youth and families throughout Western New York.”
Coder spent his entire 51-year career serving families and children experiencing emotional, educational, and social challenges and working to continuously improve service delivery models. He began his social services career in 1973 as a direct care worker at the Wyndham Lawn Home for Children in Lockport, and in 1988 moved into leadership roles at the Randolph Children’s Home in Cattaraugus County. Established in 1871 and 1878 respectively, Wyndham Lawn and Randolph Children’s Home merged in 1999 becoming New Directions Youth and Family Services, continuing to operate both campuses today. He has served as CEO of New View Alliance since 2020 and CEO of New Directions since 1999.
“Over the past many years, I have been fortunate to be a part of the great work done by Wyndham Lawn Home, Randolph Children's Home and New Directions. More recently I have been part of the team at New View Alliance. As I plan retirement, I feel truly honored to have been supported by a Board of dedicated volunteers who also embraced the mission and built a strong foundation for our work.” Said Coder. “The coworkers I served with are among the most compassionate, caring, committed people I have ever met. Most importantly I am humbled by the many youth and families I came to know. They shared their stories, showed their resiliency, and allowed me to participate in their journey to realize their vision for where they wanted to go. They have enriched my life in ways I cannot measure. I am delighted with the new leadership team appointments. I look forward to learning about the continued success of the work being done and will always carry the mission in my heart.”
Taylor has been with New Directions Youth and Family Services for 20 years. Taylor received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and a Master’s in Education, School Counseling from the University at Buffalo.
“I am proud of the meaningful work that New Directions accomplishes daily, and I am honored to step into a greater leadership role with the agency,” said Taylor.
D’Angelo has been with Gateway-Longview for 15 years. D’Angelo received a Master of Science in Counselor Education from Canisius University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Daemen University.
“I look forward to leading our talented team, alongside our partner and parent agencies at New Directions and New View Alliance, as we expand services, foster partnerships, and continue to be a vital resource for those in need throughout Western New York,” said D’Angelo.
ABOUT NEW VIEW ALLIANCE
New View Alliance is the parent company of Gateway-Longview, Inc., and New Directions Youth & Family Services, Inc., providing both agencies with strategic planning, advocacy and shared administrative support for finance, human resources, information technology, corporate integrity and DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Leading social change through advocacy, collaboration and service to children and families. New View Alliance works closely with our partners to provide the best behavioral, social, emotional and mental health services possible to those who need it the most. New View Alliance is committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of children and families across Western New York. For more information about New View Alliance, please visit: www.newviewalliance.org
ABOUT GATEWAY LONGVIEWGateway Longview is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency organization established in 1890 that provides comprehensive programs and services focused on behavioral health, foster care & adoption, community-based, residential treatment, and special education to children and families throughout Western New York.
Driven by core values of Integrity, Safety, Empowerment, Diversity and Collaboration through a trauma-informed lens to care, Gateway Longview is committed to working together to protect, to give hope, and to enrich the lives of every child and family served. For more information about Gateway Longview, please visit: www.gateway-longview.org
ABOUT NEW DIRECTIONS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICESNew Directions Youth and Family Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency with a heritage going back 150 years. Its mission is to foster resilient, self-reliant families and permanence for at-risk children in the shortest time possible, by promoting safe, respectful, responsible, and goal-directed behavior. The agency’s mission is promoted through dedicated, caring staff and by employing its treatment philosophy of Normative Culture. For more information about New Directions Youth and Family Services, please visit: www.FosteringGood.org
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Pictured from Left to Right: Kristy D'Angelo, Carolyne DeFranco, Sarah Taylor
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