Major Grant Fuels BFNC Caregiver Support Across Western New York
GREAT NEWS FOR BUFFALO area caregivers and the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC). BFNC has received a $1.4 mil lion 3-year grant to build the “Caring Together” program, a collaborative respite program for Care givers that includes the local faith-based com munity. The new 3-year grant will enable BFNC to build on its previous caregivers’ respite programs and expand its collaboration with the faith-based community, encouraging local churches to establish support initiatives for caregivers.
“The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is at the forefront of providing support for Caregivers. Caregivers deserve to feel heard and seen. BFNC is thrilled about the opportunity to help fill an important gap in the Buffalo and Western New York communities through the Caring Together program. We look forward to expanding our work with area Caregivers,” stated Chandra Redfern, CEO of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers.
Redfern adds that “the 3-year grant provides our agency with the opportunity to develop the Caring Together Program as a network to uplift and support caregivers in several communities.” In 2022, BFNC, in partner ship with 4 community agencies, launched the Gathering Place pro gram, which provided a two-pronged approach to supporting caregivers and their loved ones. This program continues as a FREE initiative pro viding support to family caregivers of older adults (aged 55 and older) in Western New York.
The current Care Givers House services are offered at the BFNC Life Center at the West minster Community on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12 pm-3 pm. The Caregivers pro gram at the BFNC Life Center demonstrated clearly the importance of the initiative to caregivers and their loved ones. Redfern adds, “Unpaid caregivers are the back bone of community health and deserve an opportunity to release stressors.”
The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC), a community based agency, has a col laborative history of over 130 years of service to the Buffalo community. We provide a safety net of human services to assist residents of Erie and Niagara Counties on their path to success. Learn more at www.bfnc. org. Follow our stories on Facebook: buffalobfnc, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn. Listen to pod cast conversations on the “BFNC Living podcast.”
ABOUT THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. FOUNDATION
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grant making organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wil son, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long gen erosity of spirit by fund ing the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a $1.2 billion grantmaking capacity over a 20-year period, which expires on January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information, visit www. rcwjrf.org.