Family Promise of WNY hosts 'Celebration of Service Awards Brunch'

Recognizing outstanding community contributions

Family Promise of WNY, a family homeless shelter, will recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses, partners and leaders in the community at its second annual “Celebration of Service Awards Brunch.” The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Tewksbury Lodge, 249 Ohio St., Buffalo.

Awards recipients include:

√ Old First Ward Community Center of Buffalo (Community Partner Award) – This partnership has allowed more than 60 youth from Family Promise to participate in the OFW Community Center after-school program, making it the leading community center serving homeless youth in Buffalo.

√ Kathy and Bob Hayes of Elma (Advocate Award) – Described as tireless advocates, since 2016, for the needs of families at Family Promise of WNY.

√ Lewis and Kathy Vaughn of Williamsville (Unsung Hero Award) – Called instrumental in helping spearhead and sustain programming at the shelter, including the emergency mattress fund, summer camp, graduate aftercare program, HVAC renovations, and a safety net for employees.

√ Eberl Iron Works Inc. of Buffalo (Corporate Pillar Award) – A neighborhood partner whose contributions have included grocery donations, holiday giving, substantial donations and job opportunities for guests.

“We are thrilled to be honoring outstanding community members at our second annual awards brunch,” said Luanne Firestone, executive director of Family Promise of WNY. “Each person and each group recognized has forged a significant partnership with Family Promise, and their impact has helped to keep us thriving. As a community-driven organization, we know that we cannot accomplish what we do without many hands and many hearts all working together to help families going through the crisis of homelessness get back on their feet.”

Family Promise of Western New York (FPWNY) is a 501(c)(3), New York state-certified emergency homeless shelter in Buffalo that has successfully housed families experiencing homelessness for over 25 years.

A press release stated, “We are one of just two emergency shelters in Erie County that keep families together, which is critical considering over 70% of our guests are children. We are small-scale and family-centered, allowing us to know each guest by name, and offer intensive support tailored to the unique needs of each family. We create a home-like environment based on compassion, respect and shared goals as our guests work to find their way back home.”

For more information about Family Promise of WNY, contact Firestone at 716-536-6879 (cell), 716-771-3007 (work), or at [email protected].