Gateway-Longview Receives Grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation

Gateway-Longview is thrilled to have been recently selected to receive a $7,500 grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation.

The grant will support Gateway-Longview's new Behavioral Health Clinic, which will open on Monday, Jan. 23.

Thank you to The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation for its continued support of disadvantaged children.

Kelly for Kids Foundation Selects Gateway-Longview as Grant Recipient

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame member Jim Kelly and his Kelly for Kids Foundation have selected Gateway-Longview as a recipient of a $2,500 grant. The announcement was made at the Annual Kelly for Kids Grant Luncheon, which was held on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

The $2,500 grant will support the building of a state-of-the-art therapeutic playground for the special education students served by Gateway-Longview.

Thank you to the Kelly for Kids Foundation for its continued support of disadvantaged children.

Gateway-Longview Selected as Mentoring Matters Grant Recipient

Gateway-Longview is honored to have been selected as one of First Niagara Bank's Mentoring Matters grant recipients.

The $5,000 grant will support Gateway-Longview's Voluntary Kinship Caregivers program, which offers mentoring to caregivers, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other kin caring for children at-risk of being court-ordered placed into foster care.

Thank you to First Niagara Bank for its continued friendship and partnership in caring for at-risk children.

Thank You to 2011 Adopt-An-Angel Campaign Supporters

Thank you to everyone who so generously supported Gateway-Longview's 2011 Adopt-An-Angel Campaign. Your kindness is truly appreciated, and helped to make Christmas merry for the hundreds of deserving children and families served by Gateway-Longview.

More than 2,000 gifts were distributed to the 900-plus "Angels" at Gateway-Longview.

Photos from the 2011 Adopt-An-Angel Campaign, as well as photos from various holiday functions at Gateway-Longview can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

Buffalo ReuseIT Donates Technology Tools to Gateway-Longview

Buffalo ReuseIT played the role of a tech-savvy Santa Claus on Thursday, Dec. 15, when it donated a refurbished laptop, printer, and laptop case to the serve the children at Gateway-Longview. The presentation of these items support Gateway-Longview's Adopt-An-Angel annual Christmas gift giving campaign, and took place at Angel Headquarters, Gateway-Longview's version of the North Pole.

Gateway-Longview staff served as Santa and processed and prepared over 2,000 donated Christmas presents to help make Christmas merry for the over 900 disadvantaged children and families served by the mission.

Shown above are Matthew Podoba, Director of Buffalo ReuseIT, Kathy Swenson, Foundation Vice President (far right); and LaVerne Blades, Director of Preventive Services; and Traci Bender, a Preventive Services caseworker.

"For decades, Gateway-Longview has been partnering with generous individuals and organizations in our community to provide Christmas gifts for the 900-plus children and families in Western and Central New York that we serve," said Kathy Swenson, Gateway-Longview Foundation Vice President.

The donated items will be utilized by Gateway-Longview's Community Services staff, which provides programs that serve to strengthen and stabilize families, and will ultimately help the agency better serve its clients.

"We're excited to once again give back to the community by donating technology items to those who otherwise might not have had access to such pieces of equipment," said Matthew Podoba, Director of Buffalo ReuseIT.

Individuals or organizations of any size can support the 900-plus children and families in Western and Central New York served by Gateway-Longview by clicking on the "Give A Gift" button on Gateway-Longview's website.

Designate Your United Way Contributions to Gateway-Longview

Are you a Gateway-Longview and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County (UWBEC) supporter? This year, you can designate your UWBEC contribution to support the children served by Gateway-Longview, and 100 percent of your campaign contributions will help children in our community.

On your United Way campaign form, simply note that you wish to Designate Your Campaign to Gateway-Longview Foundation, EIN # 16-1559402.

It's that simple. Thank you for your friendship and support!

The James H. Cummings Foundation Approves $25,000 Grant for Gateway-Longview

Thank you to The James H. Cummings Foundation. The charitable group recently approved a $25,000 grant for to repair the roof at Gateway-Longview’s Family Resource Center on East Ferry Street in Buffalo.

Gateway-Longview is grateful for The James H. Cummings Foundation's strong support and partnership.

The Family Resource Center offers a wide variety of community support services and programs, including the Parenting Wisely program, for more information please call (716) 783-3104.

To give a gift to support your children at Gateway-Longview, click here, or call the Foundation Vice President, Kathy Swenson, at (716) 783-3220.

Gateway-Longview Receives $125,000 Bequest Gift

Gateway-Longview supporter Joanne P. Thomas passed away in February 2011, yet her legacy of caring for children lives on. Gateway-Longview recently received a $125,000 bequest gift from Miss Thomas' Estate.

Thomas was a secretary at WIVB-TV, the Western New York CBS affiliate, for many years before retiring in 1989. Her vocation and passion for people provided her with the opportunity to get involved in many different missions and charitable organizations, including Gateway-Longview.

Her generosity over the years provided critical support for the children in Gateway-Longview's care, and is truly appreciated.

For more information on Planned Giving, please contact the Foundation Vice President, Kathy Swenson, at (716) 783-3220, or via email at kswenson@gateway-longview.org.

Gateway-Longview Receives $70,000 Grant for New Therapeutic Playground

Thank you to the John R. Oishei Foundation! It offered Gateway-Longview a $70,000 grant to help fund the construction of a new therapeutic playground at Gateway-Longview’s Lynde School in Williamsville, NY. Gateway-Longview is actively pursuing other funding sources so that construction can begin on the new playground as soon as possible.

Donations to match the playground grant can be made by clicking on the "Give A Gift" icon or by mailing checks, payable to Gateway Longview Foundation, to:

Gateway Longview Foundation
605 Niagara Street
Buffalo, New York 14201

The John R. Oishei Foundation strives to be a catalyst for change to enhance economic vitality and the quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region. The Foundation was established in 1940 by John R. Oishei, founder of Trico Products Corporation.

Larkin Development Group Donates Venue and Food for Foster Parent Training Event

Thirteen families completed Gateway-Longview's Foster Parent Training in May 2011, and became one step closer to opening their hearts and homes to a child in need of a loving home. The families and their respective support systems were recognized at a ceremony on Monday, May 23 in the Barton Room in the Larkin Building in Buffalo, NY.

Shown above is Asia Benefield (left), one of the individuals who completed the Foster Parent Training, and her friend, Heather Nielson (right).

Attendees enjoyed dinner, catered in part by Larkin Development Group, and also learned about "a day in the life of a Foster Parent" from Gateway-Longview's Permanency Planners.

More photos from the event can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

Congratulations to the families, and thank you to Larkin Development Group for your generosity and partnership.

Michael T. Dwyer Cottage Dedicated at Gateway-Longview

Youth in Gateway-Longview's Residential Treatment program now have a new place to call "home," thanks to a generous donation from Andrew B. Dwyer, a Gateway Longview Foundation Board of Directors member and strong supporter. The new Michael T. Dwyer Cottage was dedicated on Wednesday, April 27 at Gateway-Longview's Main Campus in Williamsville, NY.

Shown above are Andrew B. Dwyer (second from the left) and his family at the dedication ceremony.

The cottage will specifically house a dozen female clients, ages 9 to 16, in need of out-of-home care, counseling, and support. Gateway-Longview provides Residential care for almost 85 marginalized children, youth and teens placed in our various Residential Treatment programs located at the Main Campus. Gateway-Longview’s 24-hour-a-day year-round Residential programs are focused on helping, healing, and strengthening struggling children and families. In total, the agency serves approximately 900 children and families every day through its various social and human service programs.
More photos from the event can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page, and also on Gateway-Longview's Twitter page.

Gateway-Longview would like to thank Andrew B. Dwyer for his continued friendship, partnership and support. We are truly grateful for his dedication and generosity in helping to make a positive change possible for children in need that we serve.

Youth From Gateway-Longview Receive Computers at Earth Day Computer Camp Presented By Buffalo ReuseIT

What better day than Earth Day to rebuild a computer destined for a land fill and plant the seed of knowledge with disadvantaged children? Seven youth from several of Gateway-Longview's Community Services programs attended an Earth Day Computer Camp at Gateway-Longview's Family Resource Center in Buffalo on Friday, April 22. It was taught by staff from Buffalo ReuseIT, a local nonprofit organization.

During the camp, a computer repair specialist from Buffalo ReuseIT taught youth from Gateway-Longview's Foster Care, Care Coordination, and Preventive Services programs how to assemble their own computer from recycled parts. They started the Camp by dismantling a computer, and at the end of the day, the youth got to keep the computers they built and the earth was spared additional electronic waste.

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate Earth Day by not only donating recycled computers to youth who need these vital technological and educational tools, but to also give back by teaching them the skills required to build a computer," said Matthew Podoba, Director of Buffalo ReuseIT.

The Camp's participants enjoyed the educational event. "I've taken some things apart in the past, but never this big. This is awesome," said Terry.

Buffalo ReuseIT is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to refurbish discarded computers, and provide them to persons with limited financial means. This event was the second collaboration between these Buffalo ReuseIT and Gateway-Longview since the beginning of the year.

More photos from the event can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

Gateway-Longview would like to thank Buffalo ReuseIT for their generosity, and also for providing essential technology and the "seed of knowledge" to the at-risk children, youth and families that we serve.

Gateway-Longview Foster Children
Receive Computers From Buffalo ReuseIT

Six children and their families from Gateway-Longview's Foster Care program received refurbished computers from Buffalo ReuseIT on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Buffalo ReuseIT's headquarters in Buffalo.

Buffalo ReuseIT, a local nonprofit organization, presented the computers to the children and families to ensure that they will start the New Year with the proper technological tools that will help them succeed in school and in life.

"We want to help out those who are financially disadvantaged," said Matthew Podoba, Director of Buffalo ReuseIT. He added that their organization, which was established in August 2010, also strives to properly recycle used information technology equipment and electronics.

Three of the children who received their first computers at the event were excited that they would have their own computers. "I plan to use it for homework and research," said Matthew Patterson, 12, who plans to become either a medical doctor or veterinarian.

Meanwhile, his younger sisters, Tamyah and Destiny, ages 8 and 9, respectively, were thrilled that they would be able to play educational computer games featuring Dora the Explorer and characters from "The Princess and the Frog." Their adoptive mother, Rose Patterson, was happy that her children would have computers to help them do well in school.

Additional photos from the event can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

News coverage of this event can be found on WKBW.com and on YNN.com.

Gateway-Longview would like to thank Buffalo ReuseIT for their generosity, and partnership in providing essential technology to the at-risk children, youth and families that we serve.

Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation Funds School Gym Wall Padding Replacement

Thank you to the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation. They provided a $15,000 grant in 2010 which funded the replacement of the gym’s padding at Gateway-Longview’s Lynde School in Williamsville. The project was completed during the school’s winter recess, and took three days to finish. It also completes renovations to the school's gym, as both the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation and M&T Charitable Foundation donated a total of $15,000 to refinish the gym's floor in 2009.

Adopt-An-Angel Campaign Gift Distribution

Thank you to everyone who took part in Gateway-Longview's Adopt-An-Angel Campaign. Your generosity in providing a merry Christmas to the at-risk children and families served by Gateway-Longview is truly appreciated.

Gifts are now being distributed to the 850-plus "Angels" at Gateway-Longview. Children in Gateway-Longview's Niagara Day Care program received their gifts from the Campaign on Friday Dec. 17 at a holiday party. Santa Claus even stopped by their party.

More photos of Gateway-Longview's "Angels" receiving their gifts can be found on Gateway-Longview's Facebook fan page.

Gateway-Longview Receives Gift of More Than $750,000

Gateway-Longview recently received a Christmas gift 53 years in the making of more than $750,000 from a woman named Lotta V. Minehan, who passed away in 1957.

Minehan, a loyal Methodist, owned 131 acres of land in Warren Township, Bradford County, PA. Gateway-Longview has been named the sole beneficiary of any proceeds from this land. Drillers will pay 20 percent royalties for any gas well developed on the land as part of the Marcellus Shale resources development project.

Her ties to Gateway-Longview revolve around the Methodist Home, which dates back to 1930. In 1890, Gateway Youth and Family Services was founded as the Buffalo Deaconess Home of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It merged with Longview Niagara, the former Protestant Home for Unprotected Children, in 1996. The Methodist Home building is now known as the Knox administration building at Gateway-Longview's location on Main Street in Williamsville.

Prior to her death in 1957, Minehan had established a trust for the children served by the Methodist Home, which eventually became Gateway Youth and Family Services. This fund generated hundreds of dollars per year for the Methodist Home.

Minehan lived in Owego with her husband, and had no children. They later relocated to Pennsylvania.

Gateway-Longview will work to ensure that the funds continue to generate revenue so that they will help children today and tomorrow.

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