CCNY, Community Connections of New York

 

WHO:     Erie County Youth Services & Medaille College

WHAT:    Youth Gang and Violence Prevention Day
 
WHEN:     Monday, February 15th, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:     Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214

Parking is available on campus

DETAILS:

Erie County Youth Services has partnered with Medaille College to host the first phase of a "Youth Gang and Violence Prevention Program" at Medaille College on February 15th.  The vision for this program is a youth led, youth driven initiative, and is aimed at informing the youth of Erie County the dangers of area gangs, the tactics they use to recruit new members, and the healthy initiatives one can take to avoid falling into the pit of gang culture.  

More than 150 young people, representing 65 county funded agencies, are registered to attend this seminar.  Headlining the day will be two speakers who specialize in gang violence and youth empowerment.  Moses Robinson (President of the Western New York Chapter of the East Coast Gang Investigator's Association, and member of the Rochester Police Department) and Modie Cox (founder of "Winning Because I Tried") will work with participants to identify problems and solutions faced by youth in their communities as it relates to gangs and violence.  At the end of the training sessions, interested youth applicants will complete a short survey indicating issues they feel they are faced with in reference to gang violence in their communities and/or their interest in becoming a leader in a youth developed and youth led program to follow.  Medaille College is graciously hosting the event, and providing lunch and campus tours to participants as well.  

The Erie County Youth Bureau annually grants more than $2 million dollars to positive youth development programs, special delinquency prevention programs, runaway/homeless youth agencies, Municipal Youth Bureau's, and towns and villages throughout Erie County.  Erie County funded agency programs are all monitored through unannounced site visits, and agencies are currently in the process of implementing Results Based Accountability to ensure positive outcomes and data for youth participants.  The Youth Bureau is advised by a 21 member volunteer board.  The Youth Gang and Violence Prevention Day is an initiative of board members Tony Williams (Director of Operations, Northwest Buffalo Community Center) and Sean Lora-Hetzner (Agency Beneficiary, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County), and Youth Bureau employees Mark Gawronski, Nadia Moore, and David Rust.

With campuses in Buffalo, Amherst and Rochester, Medaille College is a dynamic, private college committed to serving the higher education needs of Western New York. Medaille is known for its flexible delivery systems, offering master's, bachelor's and associate degrees through day, evening and weekend programs.

For more details on the Youth Gang and Violence Prevention Day, please contact David Rust, Director, Erie County Youth Bureau at:

810 East Ferry Street
Buffalo, NY 14211
923-4041
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CCNY has identified several podcasts from Living Proof, podcast series of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, that may be helpful for social work professionals, researchers, and other service workers.

Episode 11 - Dr. Shelly Wiechelt: Cultural and Historical Trauma: Affecting Lives for Generations http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/podcast/episode.asp?ep=11

People experience trauma in varying ways, from both trauma that occurs within their own lives, to trauma that is transmitted to them from cultural, historical, and intergenerational experiences. In this podcast, Dr. Shelly Wiechelt defines cultural, intergenerational, and historical trauma and discusses its impact on the lives of individuals and their communities.

Episode 20 - Dr. Kelly Jackson: What Are You?: The Experience of Multiracial Individuals in a Monoracial World http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/podcast/episode.asp?ep=20

This podcast features an interview with Dr. Kelly Jackson. Professor Jackson discusses her research on identity development among individuals of mixed heritage. The diverse cultural attachments associated with the shifting identities of mixed race individuals challenge the flawed system of socially constructed racial and ethnic categorization.

Episode 26 - Dr. Jeffrey Jenson: Using Principles of Prevention Science to Promote Healthy Youth Development: The Denver Youth Empowerment Projects http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/podcast/episode.asp?ep=26

In this podcast, Dr. Jenson describes recent advances in the field of prevention science that have led to efficacious approaches to promoting healthy youth development. Examples from two investigations aimed at reducing aggressive behavior and enhancing academic performance among high-risk youth are used to illustrate key prevention principles.

Episode 30 - Dr. Paul Smokowski: Acculturation and Adjustment in Latino Adolescents: How Cultural Risk Factors and Assets Influence Adolescent Mental Health http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/podcast/episode.asp?ep=30

In this podcast, Dr. Paul Smokowski describes his current research exploring the protective and risk factors involved for Latino youth as they attempt to integrate into United States culture. Discover what he learned about the "Critical Aspects of Acculturation" for this fast-growing population.

Episode 33 - Dr. Caitlin Ryan: Reducing Risk and Promoting Well-Being for LGBT Youth: The Critical Role of Family Support http://www.socialwork.buffalo.edu/podcast/episode.asp?ep=33

Dr. Caitlin Ryan discusses her work on the Family Acceptance Project, the first major study of LGBT youth and their families. Findings from the project will be used to develop training and assessment materials for human service providers working with LGBT youth and families and to develop a new model for family-related care to improve health and mental health outcomes for all LGBT adolescents.

The article titled "Family Voices Network of Erie County: One Community's Story of Implementing System Reform," which was co-written by Brian Pagkos, has been added to the National Wraparound Initiative's Resource Guide to Wraparound. We are honored to be able to assist in this important work.

Baker Victory Services is organizing this conference, sponsored by The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York. It will be held Friday, March 12th and Saturday, March 13th.

Conference Participants Will:

• Learn to recognize the role that trauma plays in the lives of children.
• Understand the long term affects of Adverse Childhood Experiences as described and documented in Dr. Anda’s seminal “ACEs Study.”
• Learn to apply the basics of the Sanctuary model to provide trauma-informed treatment and care.
• Become part of a network of community leaders and stakeholders who will help develop a network of trauma-informed providers from a variety of sectors (health, education, law enforcement and social services).

Please review the conference brochure for further details. http://www.comconnectionsny.org/docs/Trauma_Conference_Brochure.pdf

We are celebrating our 2nd anniversary. In some traditions, it is customary for the birthday boy or girl to GIVE gifts to others. In honor of that tradition, we are giving you the gift of access to a free tool, quality supervision at convenient times, candy (if you RSVP), and a list of free resources. To learn more, check out our newsletter at http://www.comconnectionsny.org/docs/CCNY_Newsletter_February_2010.pdf.

We asked those who followed us on Facebook to give us some ideas of free and low-cost resources in Erie County to share in our newsletter. We were overwhelmed with the response. We have more resources than we could fit in this newsletter. So, we made this post to our latest news section. Here you have a list of numerous activities for the month of February and some that recur throughout the year. We have not edited their responses.

In addition to this list, please try:

http://fun4kidsinbuffalo.blogspot.com/2009/09/free.html

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/category/buffalo-ny-usa/places-to-go/indoors

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/category/buffalo-ny-usa/places-to-go/outdoors

ONGOING

Niagara Power Authority – free

Griffis Sculpture Park - donation

Borders on Walden Ave. childrens story telling Saturday mornings at 11am

The test gardens at the marina; the observation deck at city hall; the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society museum; Free Friday's at the Albright Knox art gallery; the Naval Park and museum...

Tops Amherst and West Seneca stores have great cooking classes for kids of all ages - not free but relatively low cost. Need to register in advance but schedule of classes is available online.

A lot of different Wegmans stores also have free kids/family movie nights on Friday nights now also.

 

February 3

Say Cheese!, Elma Public Library, 1860 Bowen Rd., Elma, 6:30-7:30pm. Story time for children grades K-3 features “cheesy” read-alouds, games and craft. Register in person or call 652-2719.

FEBRUARY 5

Chinese New Year, Tops Cooking School, 3980 Maple Rd., Amherst & 355 Orchard Park Rd., West Seneca, 6-8:30pm. Food fest for Aspiring Chefs ages 11-15, includes Spring Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry and more. $20. Call 515-2000 (Amherst), 517-3006 (West Seneca) to register.

FEBRUARY 7

Family Funday at The Gallery: Words of Art, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 1:30pm. Art inspired stories, project using words and art, special exhibition Fletcher Benton: The Alphabet. Recommended for ages 12 and under. FREE with gallery admission. Call 882-8700 or visit www.albrightknox.org.

WNED Kid Fest, WNED Studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, 12-5pm and 2/7, 2/8 12-4pm. Event features live performances, character meet & greets, games, crafts, activities and more. Admission: $10/adult, $7/child. Call (888) 202-2859 or visit www.wned.org for info.

FEBRUARY 13

Frosty Feathers, Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Dr., Depew, 10:30am. Join in a search for winter resident birds and be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. FREE, registration required. Call 683-5959.

Be My Valentine, Tops Cooking School, 3980 Maple Rd., Amherst & 355 Orchard Park Rd., West Seneca, 10-11:30am. Little Chefs ages 3-6 with parent will prepare and enjoy Heart Shaped Mini Turkey Burgers, Crispy Carrot Fries, Heart Spun Cocoa and more. $13. Call 515-2000 (Amherst), 517-3006 (West Seneca) to register.

Puppet Making Workshop, Kenan Center, 433 Locust St., Lockport, 1pm. Create a puppet with found materials and imagination, led by master puppeteer, Matthias Kuchta.
$12 adults, $6 children, pre-registration required. Call 433-2617. See calendar box item for Rumpelstilskin performance with Matthias Kuchta this evening.

FEBRUARY 14

National Engineering Week Kick-Off, Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy., Buffalo, 1-4pm. Come and learn about robotics, polymers, automotive engineering and more. Activities facilitated by UB’s engineering club members. FREE with paid museum admission. Call 896-5200 or visit www.sciencebuff.org for info.

FEBRUARY 15

Dollar Day, The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, 10am-5pm. Enjoy the beautiful Gardens for $1 admission, $1 specials in Gift Shop. Visit www.buffalogardens.com for info.

Family Days…Explore the Arts, Explore & More, 300 Gleed Ave., East Aurora, daily through 2/19, 11am-3pm. Try a different paper art each day during winter break. FREE with museum admission. Call 655-5131 or visit www.exploreandmore.org.

FEBRUARY 17

Babes in The Woods, Beaver Meadow Nature Center, 1610 Welch Rd., N.Java, 10-11:30am. Nature discovery program for kids ages 3-5 and their parents. Registration required. $5/child & adult. Call 800-377-1520 or visit www.buffaloaudubon.org.

FEBRUARY 20

Family Day at the Museum, Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum, 25 Nottingham Ct., Buffalo, 12-3pm. Museum tours, scavenger hunts, crafts and hands-on activities. $10/child, parents FREE. Call 873-9644 or visit www.buffalohistory.org.

Greater Buffalo Train and Toy Show, Fairgrounds Agri-Center & Expo Building, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Hamburg, 10am-5pm and 2/21, 10am-4pm. Exhibition and sale to benefit WNY Railway Historical Society. $6, children under 12 free. Contact Steve at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for info.

FEBRUARY 21

FREE Family Film Series: Shrek, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo, 2pm. Tickets available approx. 10 days prior film date at Wegman’s (Erie & Niagara counties) and Shea’s Box Office on first come, first serve basis. Rated PG.

Native American Festival, Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect St., Niagara Falls, (snow date 2/28), 11am-4pm. Snow snake demonstration, storytelling, snowshoe walks and hands-on activities at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center area. Call 282-5154 for info.

FEBRUARY 26

Teen Night, Ken-Ton Family YMCA, 535 Belmont Ave., Kenmore, 7-9pm. Great food, music and dancing for 12-18 year olds. $5 advance (by 2/25), $7 at the door. Call 874-5051 for info.