Buffalo, NY – Niagara Falls will be lit blue on Wednesday, May 27th at 10:00pm to help raise awareness for the importance that foster care plays in the lives of children throughout our community. In the U.S., there are over 423,000 children and youth in foster care, according to childwelfare.gov, over half of those have a goal of reunification with their primary care giver. Gateway Longview serves over 1,000 youth in Western New York every year.
This year, National Foster Care Month’s goal is to focus on strengthen the connections between community, family, and the extended support system in the community. Gateway Longview offers comprehensive Foster Care & Adoption Services to support families in the Buffalo, NY area and throughout Erie County and works to match children in care with safe, nurturing foster home environments where they are set up to thrive.
“Gateway Longview is committed to offering foster care and adoption support for WNY families,” said Carolyne DeFranco, President & CEO of Gateway Longview, who is also a foster and adoptive mother. “As our city landmarks light up blue, we hope you will join us in celebrating the families who have welcomed kids into their homes with open arms. We are so thankful for their commitment to this community."
“Gateway Longview collaborates with the family to ensure that the youth is cared for holistically. Our trauma-informed, solution-focused approach allows us to build upon the individual strengths of each child,” said Michelle Cope, MSW, Chief Operating Officer of Foster Care & Residential Services. “May is a great opportunity to reflect on all the accomplishments of our families.” For more information on foster and adoption visit https://www.gateway-longview.org/fostercareadoption.
Gateway Longview has events and media planned throughout the month of May to raise awareness.
Celebrate foster families with three service awards (protect, enrich, and give hope), whose stories will be featured during the month on social media.
Wednesday, May 19th – Gateway Longview will host their annual fundraiser “BBQ & Brews Bash” virtually this year in support of the agencies’ initiatives, including foster and adoption services. For more information on Gateway Longview and their fundraiser visit https://www.gateway-longview.org/bbqbb.
Thursday, May 27th – drive-through pizza party for foster families in appreciation for all they do.
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