News Articles

Grant Award from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Mon, 13 May 2024 17:03:32 +0000

Press release: Homespace Corporation Receives Grant Dollars from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Buffalo, NY, May 13, 2024:

Homespace Corporation has received a grant award from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation in the amount of $50,000 which is intended for support to Homespace’s behavioral health programs. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in the foster care system ages 14-21, as well as their children if they have any, and is one of the only organizations in this area of its kind. Their slogan, “support at-risk youth to achieve independence two generations at a time.”

“With the support of The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, Homespace is able to add a missing link in the structure of our behavioral health team, which can enable better mental health outcomes for children in foster care, the statistics for which are very low and is something we are passionate about improving.” said Executive Director, Lindsey Carter.

Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994. More information on Homespace can be found here: www.homespacecorp.org.

This April, Homespace celebrated 30 years of service with a special celebration dinner at The Buffalo History Museum.

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:40:31 +0000

On April 13th 2024, Homespace rang in 30 years of service with employees, sponsors, donors, and past Homespace alumni. The theme of the event was "The History of Homespace" and we celebrated being open for business since 1994 by viewing framed historical Homespace artifacts (like meeting minutes and pictures from events in the 90's), hearing from Homespace alumni about how their time in the foster care system was forever impacted by being able to call Homespace home, and dinner with sponsors Hodgson Russ, The Buffalo Bills, M&T Bank, Moog, Stahlka Agency, Ingram Micro, Computer SOS, Lamparelli Construction, Mister Goodbar, West Herr, Freed Maxick, and Jennifer Schulefand Consulting. We were able to raise over $14,000 to support foster care youth with housing and services.

Lindsey Carter Named New Executive Director

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:32:34 +0000

Lindsey Carter has been named the new Executive Director of Homespace Corporation. Lindsey started her career with Homespace in 2009 in a part-time direct care role with clients, and worked her way up through the agency over the last 15 years progressing to full-time roles such as administrative assistant, office manager, fiscal manager, and finally, to the administrative director role that she has been in since 2016. The board of directors is thrilled to have Lindsey in the executive leadership position knowing that she has a long history with the organization and an intimate knowledge of the agency. When asked what has been her favorite part of working with Homespace over the last decade and a half, Lindsey said "Knowing how impactful the work that we do here is. Our work and our staff are literally changing lives...that really makes you want to come in to work every day."

Homespace Corporation Receives M&T Bank Grant Funding to Provide Medical Support Services for Youth in Foster Care System

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:32:38 +0000

BUFFALO, N.Y., February 1, 2024 — Homespace Corporation announced today that M&T Bank has provided $10,000 in grant funding to support the organization’s work to improve the health and wellness of the children and young adults it serves. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in the foster care system ages 14-21, as well as their children if they have any. It is one of the only organizations of its kind in Western New York . The M&T grant funding will help Homespace provide a range of medical support services.

“With the support of M&T Bank, Homespace will be able to offer more medical support services to our youth, which can enable better health outcomes for children in foster care. Health and wellness statistics among individuals in the foster care system are eye-opening and troubling. This is something we are passionate about changing,” said Executive Director Michael Hill.

“Homespace does inspiring work daily to make a difference in the lives of young people in foster care,” said M&T Bank Regional President Eric Feldstein. “We’re grateful to have this opportunity to invest in their critical support services. Together, we can help our youth navigate adversity and empower them to achieve their greatest potential.”

Homespace Corporation has been providing services to children and families since 1994. Their mission is to support at-risk youth in achieving independence two generations at a time.” More information on Homespace can be found at www.homespacecorp.org.

More information on M&T Bank and the M&T Charitable Foundation is available at mtb.com.

HOMESPACE CORPORATION RECEIVES GRANT DOLLARS FROM THE PETER AND ELIZABETH C. TOWER FOUNDATION

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:44:32 +0000

Homespace Corporation Receives Grant Dollars from the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation

Buffalo, NY, January 3, 2024:

Homespace Corporation has received a grant award from the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation in the amount of $30,000 which is intended for the hiring and sustaining of a one-year program CASAC or Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in the foster care system ages 14-21, as well as their children if they have any, and is one of the only organizations in this area of its kind. Their slogan, “support at-risk youth to achieve independence two generations at a time.”

“Some youth in foster care struggle with substance use or abuse issues, being that their backgrounds include extreme trauma and a generational history of substance abuse. This program, funded by The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, will help our clients, their kids, and the community at large.” said Executive Director, Michael Hill.

More information on the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation can be found at the following website link: https://thetowerfoundation.org/

Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994. More information on Homespace can be found here: www.homespacecorp.org.

Homespace Receives Security Grant from Goodyear Foundation

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:28:54 +0000

Homespace Corporation Receives Grant Dollars from the Josephine Goodyear Foundation

Buffalo, NY, November 17, 2023:

Homespace Corporation has received a grant award from the Josephine Goodyear Foundation in the amount of $7,000 which is intended for security improvements at Homespace. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in the foster care system ages 14-21, as well as their children if they have any, and is one of the only organization in this area of its kind. Their slogan, “support at-risk youth to achieve independence two generations at a time.”

“Thanks to the generosity of the Josephine Goodyear Foundation, Homespace is now able to upgrade our security systems, meaning that our youth get to live in a safer environment.” said Executive Director, Michael Hill. “Creating a strong sense of safety and security is vitally important for the youth we serve, and this grant will help us in achieving that goal.”

More information on the Josephine Goodyear Foundation can be found at the following website link: https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/josephine-goodyear-foundation/

Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994. More information on Homespace can be found here: www.homespacecorp.org.

HOMESPACE CORPORATION RECEIVES MAJOR GRANT DOLLARS FROM THE EAST HILL FOUNDATION

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:55:39 +0000

Buffalo, NY, November 8, 2023:

Homespace Corporation has received a major grant award from the East Hill Foundation in the amount of $30,000 which is intended for the renovation of one of the outdated apartments in Homespace’s Supervised Independent Living Program. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in the foster care system ages 14-21, as well as their children if they have any, and is one of the only organizations in this area of its kind. Their slogan, “support at-risk youth to achieve independence two generations at a time.”

This is the second time the East Hill Foundation has been gracious enough to lend their support toward an apartment renovation on the Homespace campus.

“With the support of the East Hill Foundation, Homespace is able to house at-risk youth in a safe and comfortable living environment, which is crucial to the development of youth in foster care.” said Executive Director, Michael Hill. The Supervised Independent Living Program is intended for youth who are close to aging out of foster care, ages 18-21. The program offers young adults a chance to live on their own, with lots of guidance, independent living training, skills building, and other supports needed to enter adulthood as a productive member of society.

The East Hill Foundation was established in 1986 and is located in North Tonawanda. It is a privately-funded family foundation, which evolved out of the family’s tradition of stewardship. More information on the East Hill Foundation can be found here: www.easthillfdn.org.

Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994. More information on Homespace can be found here: www.homespacecorp.org.

Homespace Receives Grant Dollars from The Children's Guild Foundation

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:42:49 +0000

Homespace Corporation Receives Major Grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation

Buffalo, NY, June 8, 2023:

Homespace Corporation has been awarded $20,000.00 of financial support from The Children’s Guild Foundation for its Health and Wellness 2.0 Project. Homespace Corporation supports youth in the foster care system between the ages of 14-21 to achieve independence, self-sufficiency and a sense of security, many of whom are pregnant or parenting themselves. Homespace works to change two generations at a time.

This financial support from The Children’s Guild Foundation has the intended use of furthering the health and wellness outcomes of youth in foster care, whose general health outcome statistics are quite low and are considered an underserved population. With the use of these funds, Homespace has been able to successfully onboard a new psychiatric nurse practitioner to treat and prescribe medication to youth in-house. This is a brand-new position for the agency. This program is made possible through a grant by The Children’s Guild Foundation.

“These monies will change the future health outcomes of many children in our care. We are very grateful to be partnering with The Children’s Guild Foundation on this program.” Said Michael Hill, Executive Director of Homespace Corporation.

For more information on The Children’s Guild Foundation, please visit https://cg.foundation. For more information on Homespace Corporation, please visit www.homespacecorp.org.

Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in foster care in Buffalo, NY. Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994.

Homespace Receives Grant Dollars from Children's Foundation of Erie County

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:33:09 +0000

Buffalo, NY, June 8, 2023: Homespace Corporation has been awarded $5,000.00 of financial support from Children’s Foundation of Erie County for its Educational Support for Foster Youth Project. Homespace Corporation supports youth in the foster care system between the ages of 14-21 to achieve independence, self-sufficiency and a sense of security, many of whom are pregnant or parenting themselves. Homespace works to change two generations at a time. This financial support from Children’s Foundation of Erie County has the intended use of furthering the educational and thus the career outcomes of youth in foster care, whose general educational outcome statistics are quite low and are considered an underserved population. With the use of these funds, Homespace has been able to successfully transition an existing staff person into a certified tutor role for any youth that need extra assistance with school work, free of charge to them and in-house. Homespace also plans to establish or join an existing SAT prep course and use funds toward college application fees and application assistance This program is made possible in part by a grant by Children’s Foundation of Erie County. “This program will be so beneficial to the future of our youth, as we work with them to make their education a priority thus setting them up for the best future possible.” Said Michael Hill, Executive Director of Homespace Corporation. For more information on Children’s Foundation of Erie County, please visit www.childrensfoundationerie.corg. For more information on Homespace Corporation, please visit www.homespacecorp.org. Homespace Corporation offers residential services and support to at-risk youth in foster care in Buffalo, NY. Homespace Corporation has been providing services to Children and Families since 1994

Homespace Featured on Daytime Buffalo!

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:18:14 +0000

Michael Hill from Homespace and Leah Angel Daniel from Fostering Greatness were featured on WIVB Channel 4 Daytime Buffalo to talk about foster care awareness month and how the community can support both youth in foster care, and foster care alumni. To watch the full clip, click here.

Spotlight on our Social Workers

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:40:16 +0000

March is national social work month, and we at Homespace wanted to take the opportunity to spotlight some of our social workers on staff here: how and why they became social workers, and what they had to say about the field of work which they are so passionate about. We are fortunate enough to have a fantastic group of caring and passionate individuals here who help our young people every day. Read below to see what they had to say, you might learn something.

First, meet the social workers:

AINSLIE EVANS: Behavioral Health Counselor, LMSW. Fun fact: I am a closeted artist. I love painting, when I can.

ADIJA ALMOND: Behavioral Health Counselor LMSW. Fun fact: I am a die-hard Beyonce fan.

ALEXANDRA KRAFT: Y-Prep independent Living Trainer, working toward a BSW. Fun fact: I am planning my wedding for next year.

KATY COOPER: Director of Services, LMHC. Fun fact: I have my own private practice.

BRENDA PRYOR: Clinical Supervisor at SILP, BSW. Fun fact: I was a sergeant in the army

Q: Why did you go into this field?

Alexandra: Growing up, I had always wanted to be a teacher. I really liked science and astronomy, but when I got to college I realized I hated calculus, so that wasn’t going to work out for me. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned so much about Black Lives Matter, and I really wanted to help. I became passionate about black history, and I questioned why I never learned that in school? That’s just not right. I also always loved true crime, I have a bit of a social justice streak, so I wanted to put that energy toward something.

Brenda: I was actually in the army, and I wasn’t feeling very fulfilled by the job I had. One day I was waiting in a line to speak to the military social worker after a deployment, and the wait was so long! Well while in line, the man in front of me started telling me all his problems that he wasn’t going to tell the social worker we were in line for. When I was listening to his story and giving him advice, I thought – wow, this is it. This is what I want to do with my life. When I finally made it through the line and sat in the social worker’s office, I asked her: How can I get your job?

Katy: I really just wanted to help people. I’m a listener, you know, I’m a helper. I enjoy focusing on one on one, individualized help.

Adija: I have always wanted to help people. In high school I took several aptitude tests that always pointed me toward becoming a psychologist. So, I majored in psych with minors criminal justice, sociology and philosophy. I actually talked to a LMHC before I made the decision for social work. I really like to do different things, and develop new skills all the time, and a mentor I had at the time was working at OCFS and told me that based on my interests, I should go into social work.

Ainslie: I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I went broad for undergrad. I studied psychology, business, environmental studies, and I had zero plans after graduating. I was able to get a job in special education alternative high school, which I enjoyed, but I wanted to have more of an impact than working one on one with students, and that sent me to social work.

Q: What is your favorite thing about social work?

Katy: Making an impact – any sort of impact, even if it’s something small. Having former clients come back to me, and telling me they learned something, or used a tool that I gave them.

Ainslie: “I genuinely enjoy hearing people’s stories. I like connecting with people from different backgrounds, and to learn and grow from it. Every once in a while, it’s nice to feel like you make an impact. A client recently wrote me a letter of appreciation, and it really touched me. Being able to create that healing space for someone is what drives me.”

Alexandra: I like that it’s so broad. Growing up, I always thought of “social workers” as strictly CPS workers, but that’s not the case. With a social work background you can be a lobbyist and go work with politicians, you can work with kids, whoever – it’s so broad.

Adija: I love to learn people. Learning the “why” and “how” to who a person is, is so intriguing to me. There’s so much to people and how complex we are, if you really think about it. But, that is also the hardest part. Because with teens and trauma, that adds to their layers. I love it when someone says to me, I had so much on my mind before we talked, and now I just feel lighter.

Brenda: The diversity of the field, you can go down so many career paths you have no idea. Like there’s alcohol and substance abuse, therapy, military, government. The training and skills can be so well-rounded.

Q: What advice would you give a young person interested in a career in social work?

Brenda: Do it! It’s important work. I don’t ever feel unfulfilled, it’s so fulfilling. There’s always someone to help.

Katy: Don’t set out to save the world. Sometimes a client makes progress and then there’s backslides, that’s perfectly normal. If you made someone smile…you’re doing something right. It took me 12 years in the field to really grasp that, but it’s just the truth.

Adija: Small impacts make a difference. You’re going to be underpaid, but that’s okay (with a chuckle). You can work but still live normal life, without it being consumed. Remember self-care.

Ainslie: Take care of yourself. You don’t have to be perfect in order to help others. It can be what you make it, and there’s more flexibility than a 9-5 job.

Alexandra: It is very important to keep your work and home life separate. Burnout is real. Get yourself your own counselor.

Q: Why should we celebrate social work month?

Ainslie: We need to bring awareness to how far we’ve come as a field, and how far we still have to go. There is a lot of stigma behind social work and what we do (which is historically warranted!), but the field has made progress in recent years. Demand is high for this position, we need more people in this field.

Brenda: This is a job people don’t realize is a necessity, and mental health is just as important as physical health. Maybe when you think of a social worker you picture someone sitting behind a desk, but actually there are so many people with boots on the ground. Policies in government are so important! You want to change the world? Be a social worker in politics. If a social worker went into politics, they would absolutely have the best understanding of what the community actually needs, and how exactly to get it.

Adija: There is a lack of diversity in the social work field. We need more men as well as people of color within the field. People do not know the depth of social work and the various career paths that can be taken with this degree

Alexandra: To bring more people into the field, there’s a huge shortage and at the same time, a growing field.

Katy: In order to bring awareness to mental health, and all the providers that are out there that are dedicated to help people that are struggling…and they don’t have to do it alone.

Q: What brought you to Homespace?

Ainslie: I was working with a consultant for the company and would do presentations here, and what I liked about Homespace is that it is small, family oriented, and that I could work with adolescents. The (CFTSS) program was new and I liked thinking that I could be a part of its development. Working at Homespace gives me the chance to work with people more in depth, rather than just seeing a client here and there. There are so many activities and celebrations that bring staff and residents together and the fact they have the mother-baby group home is very unique, nobody else has that around here.

Adija: I actually had a family member who lived at Homespace. I learned and did research about Homespace after hearing about it and thought, wow, who would have known! I loved that it was a smaller program, really tight-knit, with flexibility. I can have a life! Working in traditional foster care is 9-5 job, I really prefer the flexibility in my schedule that Homespace can offer me. I also felt like seeing kids once a month just wasn’t enough for me. Here I get to have more one-on-one time with them to make more of an impact.

Alexandra: I was looking for a new job when a classmate of mine suggested Homespace and when I saw how they help youth, it was really interesting to me. I thought it would be a unique experience to have.

Brenda: I was presented this opportunity through my schooling at Daemen. I started as the Y-prep coordinator and was recently promoted to clinical supervisor at SILP.

Homespace Featured on AM Buffalo!

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:52:55 +0000

Mercedes Wilson and Emily Lampa from AM Buffalo were gracious enough to come out to Homespace and do a live news segment with us, on site at our SILP unit. They were able to bring awareness to our cause by taking a tour of the units, and speaking about our services we offer. This segment featured interviews with our director of services, Katy Cooper, our executive director, Michael Hill, our SILP clinical supervisor, Brenda Pryor, and Homespace client Donte. Click here to watch the video.

Foundations Support Important Facilities Improvements at Homespace

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:52:33 +0000