News

New Location for WNYHeroes!

New Location for WNYHeroes!

After a long crazy yet successful move, we are in our new digs! As we continue to grow we continue to promise to keep our Veterans and our families as up to date as possible! Please know we are on all social media platforms, emails, as well as a simple phone call away!

1001 East Delevan Ave. Buffalo NY 14215

716-630-5020 [email protected]

We are so excited for an open house coming to you soon!

Did You Know…?

Did You Know…?

Last year, just two of our programs, Heroes Bridge & Little Heroes, awarded $240,00 and $23,000 respectively to local Veterans. Heroes Bridge is for rent, mortgage or utilities that are in arrears. Little Heroes is for extra-curricular activities for the immediate dependent children of our local heroes. Were do we get the funds to help? From donors like you. Thank you so much for your continuous support. Without you, these programs simply cannot continue to function.

Pawistively Published in Women’s Day!!

Pawistively Published in Women’s Day!!

WNYHeroes is excited to say that we made it in the national magazine “Woman’s Day.” Amanda Yauch speaks about her service and experience with being in our Pawsitive for Heroes service dog program. Thank you Amanda for your service and believing in us to make a difference for you. A special THANK YOU to our amazing friend Kate Glaser of Hope Rises for making it all possible. You are truly amazing!

FreshConnect Checks Program

FreshConnect Checks Program

If you have received your Farmers Market Coupons please be sure to use them as soon as possible at ANY local farmers market. Our office alone has handed out over 6,000 coupon books. We don’t want to see the program end because no one is using them. Thank you for your service.

Mental Health Empowerment Project Offers Help

Mental Health Empowerment Project Offers Help

These past few weeks, there have been a number of traumatic events, leaving us all to deal with emotions, grief, and pain. We wanted to inform everyone about a few additional supports available to help people deal with grief and emotional trauma resulting from the Buffalo tragedy and other recent traumatic events. Click “Read More” for a few culturally relevant resources to help people navigate feelings and identify healthy ways to cope:

AM Buffalo Visits w/ WNYHeroes

AM Buffalo Visits w/ WNYHeroes

Our morning show AM Buffalo with our awesome Program Director Lynn Magistrale, Caseworker Renie Bolyn and the awesome Trisha Kozak. They had a blast!! Thank you 7 News WKBW Producer Paula Damico for all of your amazing love and support. Click the pic and watch the vid!

Training Tomorrow’s Officers Today

Training Tomorrow’s Officers Today

Always a great time spending the mornings with our up and coming men/women in blue. These heroes have all decided to join departments like Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara County Sheriff, City of Batavia Police Department, NY, Niagara Falls, NY Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and more. For the 6th year now, we come in to lecture about service dog laws and handler rights, along with Veterans related circumstances that can arise during their career.

April: The Month of the Military Child!!

April: The Month of the Military Child!!

Each April, the Month of the Military Child provides a chance for us to recognize and thank the children of our service members and veterans. The Department of Defense uses the color purple — representing all services in the military community.

Even after their parent has left the military, children can continue to face challenges as their parent transitions to civilian life and they may be called on to care for wounds or injuries their parent suffered during their service. Too many live with the pain and loss of a parent or family member who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

“Pawsitive for Heroes” Dogs Graduate from Training

“Pawsitive for Heroes” Dogs Graduate from Training

It was an exciting day yesterday for our service dogs and those Veterans receiving them. Thank you to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and Niagara County SPCA for their partnership. The Veterans will continue their training and learn how to handle their dogs for the next 5-6weeks with our trainer John Knoph. We will be placing new dogs back into the jail next month and start all over again. Looking forward to more exciting adventures!

Female Vets. & Women’s History Month

Female Vets. & Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History month and WNY Heroes has over 330 local women in its Female Veterans Group who’ve shaped history by serving in all branches. Please click the image to learn more.

Survey Says!…

Survey Says!…

We recently asked for your feedback and boy did you deliver! Click the image to see what local Veterans are saying about how your support and our assistance has impacted their lives.

Sabres / WNYHeroes Dog Meets His Veteran!

Sabres / WNYHeroes Dog Meets His Veteran!

We are so excited to be finally letting Rick meet his Veteran at the Sabres vs Lightening game on January 11. Rick (Named after Rick Jeanerette) still has months of training to go at the Niagara County Sheriff Office before he can officially be with his Veteran full time. We have been working Rick for a few months now and he has made big leaps from then till now. We rescued Rick from our friends at the Niagara SPCA

Veteran of the Year Honored

Veteran of the Year Honored

Our Veteran of the year! Mr. Casey Bukowski served in WWII and was a POW for 14mos. He was shot down over enemy territory & lost an eye. He was only 20 years old. What a true honor to have in our presence. Please watch this short 3 min. video, listen to the man himself, and donate today to allow us to continue helping our local heroes like Casey. Thank You So Much.

WNY Stand Down!

WNY Stand Down!

Thanks to this dynamic duo (Larry & Tony) for representing WNY Heroes at the Naval Park for the Buffalo Stand Down from 10- 3 pm. Thank you Veterans One Stop for putting this amazing event!

Thanks Cindy!!!

Thanks Cindy!!!

Thank you so much for the visit Cindy. Cindy (Chautauqua County Dwyer) stopped in today and dropped off 34 red white and blue afghan blankets. We truly look forward to seeing you at your event on October 9th.

Kids Craft Club Is Back!

Kids Craft Club Is Back!

Hey kiddos! Need a break from schoolwork?! Stop on by and get your weekly craft! Every Friday we will have a craft available for your family!

Webinar: Military Sexual Harassment and Its Impact on Veterans’ Health

Webinar: Military Sexual Harassment and Its Impact on Veterans’ Health

NYS Health Invites You to Attend a Webinar: “Military Sexual Harassment and Its Impact on Veterans’ Health “Approximately 8 out of 10 women in America report experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime. Women who serve in uniform are no exception. According to the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military, many service women describe feeling singled out and report being the subject of near-daily sexist comments. Not only does this harassment negatively impact the health of victims, but the unchecked behavior also creates a significantly higher risk for sexual assault. Countless studies over the years have shown the pervasiveness of military sexual harassment and assault, and numerous recommendations have been made to address the problem—but these harmful behaviors continue. Please join NYS Health for a webinar with Haley Britzky, a military reporter who has covered the high-profile cases of Specialist Vanessa Guillén and Corporal Thae Ohu, about the military’s efforts to end sexual assault, the extent of military sexual harassment, and the health implications for veterans. Webinar Date: Tuesday, October 5, 202112:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WNY Heroes at Niagara County Jail

WNY Heroes at Niagara County Jail

ith our Pawsitive for Heroes service dogs. We were given permission to allow everyone a look on the inside. The guys and the dogs are doing great. The dogs have come a really long way. Our hope behind developing the program is to also give these guys something to fall back on once they have been released back into our community. I/We believe everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what. We are here to offer that second chance with much better hope at the same time. We look forward to swapping out the dogs when they are done, pairing them up with Veterans on our waiting list and bringing in fresh dogs to start all over again. Unfortunately one of our dogs will be exiting the program due to an injury that occurred PRIOR to our receiving her and her entry into our program. We will be swapping her out for another dog next week. After her being seen by Donner Creek Vet Clinic her injury is nothing that we can do to fix. After a long discussion with the dr. we feel we would not be doing right by the Veteran who would receive her either. Therefore she will be released to a foster home who can and is willing to love up. She Is amazing and obviously had A LOT of training through us already.