by Jennifer Wozniak | Nov 14, 2024 | News, Press Releases
The agency seeks community members to help bring holiday cheer by adopting families in need
BUFFALO, NY– This holiday season, Community Services for Every1 is excited to kick off its annual Adopt a Family program, inviting the community to bring joy to families in need across Western New York. Community Services is actively seeking community members to “adopt” families served by the agency to help make their holiday wishes come true. Community Services helps (1) people with developmental disabilities, (2) youth and adults with chronic health conditions and complex mental health concerns, and (3) survivors of domestic violence. This season, over 55 families are in need of a holiday adoption.
The Adopt a Family program invites local businesses, organizations, and community members to partner with the agency by “adopting” families. Participating donors can choose a family size that aligns with their giving goals and receive a list of holiday wishes created by that family. To participate, donors can visit https://Adopt2024.givesmart.com.
“We’re thrilled to offer the Adopt a Family program as a way for people to make a direct impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Mindy Cervoni, President and CEO of Community Services. “Every year, we’re humbled by the generosity of our community, and we see the difference it makes in bringing joy and dignity to families who need it most.”
“Adopting a family this holiday season is an opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of those who are facing challenges,” said Kelly Kinderman, Vice President of Program Support and Developmentof Community Services. “With the support of the community, we can bring much-needed joy and create lasting memories for families in need.”
In addition to adopting families, Community Services for Every1 is also accepting donations of new essential necessities, such as kitchenware, towels, bedding, winter clothing, etc. For those who prefer, monetary donations can also be made at https://Adopt2024.givesmart.com to help fulfill critical needs.
Donation Drop-Off
Wrapped presents and essential necessities can be dropped off by December 13th at the agency’s headquarters- 180 Oak Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
To participate in the Adopt a Family program, or to make a donation, please visit https://Adopt2024.givesmart.com
For more information, contact Jillian Johnson, Development and Communications Coordinator, at jillianjohnson@csevery1.com or 716-883-8888 x144.
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Community Services for Every1 is a nonprofit whose mission is to partner with individuals of all abilities to reach their fullest potential, protecting their rights and promoting their independence and inclusion in our community. The agency notably serves (1) people with developmental disabilities, (2) youth and adults with chronic health conditions and complex mental health concerns, and (3) survivors of domestic violence. Community Services provides a comprehensive range of services such as housing services, domestic violence support, care coordination, family support, employment and skill-building services, behavioral and mental health services, and much more. For the past 35 years, Community Services for Every1 has been providing high quality, person-centered services to the Western New York community. For more information, visit www.csevery1.com.
by Jennifer Wozniak | May 14, 2024 | News, Press Releases
May 13, 2024
Media Contact:
Max Anderson
Deputy Director, Open Buffalo
Max@openbuffalo.org
716-218-9075
BUFFALO, NY — On Monday, May 13, alongside a host of community partners and allies, Open Buffalo, a racial justice nonprofit located one block away from the Jefferson Avenue Tops market, hosted a press conference to mark two years of intensified anti-racism work since that store became the target of a vicious act of anti-Black terrorism. We revealed points of progress, present-day priorities, and an outlook for the future of racial justice in Buffalo and Western New York. We discussed new strategic partnerships, investment in a new generation of community leaders, and initiatives to directly address and interrupt systemic racism in various aspects of community life.
“The ingredients of the Tops domestic terrorism attack were simmering for years before they boiled over just a block from here on May 14, 2022,” said Franchelle Parker, Executive Director of Open Buffalo. “Despite all the good work and investments committed to this immediate community in the aftermath of 5/14, the underlying issues that fed into this attack remain. In some respects, they have worsened.”
Two years later, Open Buffalo remains steadfast on the frontlines of an ongoing anti-racism struggle in Buffalo. In addition to our existing policy advocacy and leadership development work, since the Tops Massacre, Open Buffalo has intensified our anti-racism training and assessment program, called “Race, Power, and Privilege” (RPP).
To date, Open Buffalo has trained 1,500 Western New Yorkers to be anti-racism ambassadors in their personal and professional lives. Institutions that have gone through the intensive RPP process include:
- Try-It Distributing
- WNY Library Resources Council
- Beyond Support Network
- Care Management Coalition
- The Parent Network
- EPIC
- Mental Health Advocates of WNY
- Center for Self Advocacy
- Community Services 4 Every1
- Mt. Mercy Academy
- Summit Center
- Nonprofit Consultants with the Western NY Foundation
- Guardians of Equity in the Buffalo Public Schools
- Zeta Youth Auxiliary
- Clean Mobility Buffalo
- John R. Oishei Foundation
- Niagara Falls High School
One of Open Buffalo’s key client-partners in our RPP work is Community Services for Every1, an agency that partners with individuals of all abilities to reach their fullest potential, protecting their rights and promoting their independence and inclusion in our community. More than a dozen Community Services workers attended Monday’s press event.
Mindy Cervoni, President and CEO of Community Services for Every1, delivered the following statement:
“Community Services for Every1 serves 2,200 people in this community and employs 1,000. The majority of our employees are Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), helping people live successfully in the community. Seventy-four percent of our DSPs are people of color and 44% of them live on the East Side of Buffalo. Our work with Open Buffalo has already transformed our organization, but it’s only the beginning.
Open Buffalo’s RPP training provided critical education on the health and housing crisis here on the East Side of Buffalo, from years of neglect and systematic racism. Learning data and true stories about the negative impact on a society without privilege was life-changing for many on our team.
Once our organization learned and truly acknowledge the reality, employees began speaking out and sharing stories of being denied opportunities such as a job or a mortgage. This prompted a real excitement about how we can change internally and what resources our organization can bring to help promote change and uplift this community. There is a lot to be done and we are very fortunate to work with Open Buffalo to guide us down a path to enact change and make a difference.”
Raziya Hill, Founding Executive Director of Every Bottom Covered, attended today’s press conference as well. Every Bottom Covered is a diaper bank serving low-income and underserved communities across Western New York. Hill, who is also an alumna of Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders and Justice Leadership Institute programs, collaborated directly with Open Buffalo in the wake of the Tops attack by providing resources that enabled our organization to run a popular diaper club. The diaper club, offered out of our Jefferson Avenue headquarters through the end of 2022, provided free diapers, baby wipes, feminine products, baby food, and more to a community desperately in need of such resources. Hill shared the following remarks today:
“As a nonprofit leader, we were called into action after the horrific racist massacre at Tops. As a Black woman, I had to grieve and serve. There’s so much work to be done after acknowledging that we are in the throes of a community marred by systemic racism, and we’ve only scratched the surface. Thankfully, we’ll continue in the good fight collectively and create a generational shift.”
Those interested in learning more about Open Buffalo’s “Race, Power, and Privilege” program can visit www.openbuffalo.org.
Today’s speakers included:
- Franchelle Parker, Founding Executive Director of Open Buffalo
- Mindy Cervoni, President and CEO of Community Services or Every1, and an organizational partner engaged in Open Buffalo’s “Race, Power, and Privilege” training and assessment program
- Raziya Hill, Founding Executive Director of Every Bottom Covered, and an alumna of Open Buffalo’s “Emerging Leaders” Program
- Marc Hennig,Deputy Executive Director of the Beyond Support Network
- Jillian Hanesworth, the City of Buffalo’s First Poet Laureate and an alumna of Open Buffalo’s “Emerging Leaders” Program
- Dr. Kush K. Bhardwaj, Director of Racial Equity and Justice at Open Buffalo
About Open Buffalo
Founded in 2014, Open Buffalo’s mission is to advance racial, economic, and ecological justice. We do so through skill building, network connecting, and activating leadership opportunities. Our goal is for all communities in Western New York to thrive free from discrimination and poverty.
For media inquiries, contact Max Anderson at max@openbuffalo.org or 716-218-9075.
