By Annette Pinder
I first met Chandra Redfern, Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC), while working together on a televised community conversation on WBBZ-me-TV following Buffalo’s horrific racially motivated massacre at Tops last May. Having hosted YOU MATTER community forums, Chandra and her staff understood people’s emotions and their need to heal.
BFNC provides an open door to all, with a network of resources that create pathways to success through care management, residential housing, adult and senior services, youth services, financial services, and more. Comprehensive care management services are tailored to each individual’s needs, and include housing, food, transportation to medical appointments, and medical care guidance to help minimize their need for emergency room visits.
During our community conversation, Chandra pointed out, “If a person doesn’t have shelter and food, they cannot survive and thrive. Affordable housing is one of our greatest challenges.”
To meet that challenge, BFNC offers residential services for individuals 18 years and older. The residences empower individuals with a mental health diagnosis to develop skills to become thriving and independent members of the community. Each provides 24-hour on-site staffing, meals, support, advocacy, and recovery-oriented services. Residents also engage in off-site recovery, academic and vocational programs, and competitive and non-competitive employment. See https://bfnc.org/service/residential-services/ to learn more.
BFNC’s Director of Senior Services works diligently to inspire older adults to age well by maintaining an active, engaged, and healthy lifestyle. Seniors participate in yoga, shopping trips, cultural experiences, and life need to know workshops. The agency is proud of the thriving aging-in-place community on Buffalo’s East Side that includes affordable senior housing at Westminster Commons, and community resources and Case Management at nearby Westminster Community House.
Customized Financial Services through BFNC HOPE CENTER (BFNC-HOPE) includes free tax services and legal assistance for debt, foreclosures, student loans, and housing. BFNC-HOPE helps make their clients’ economic dreams a reality. Support includes money management and budgeting, checking and savings account education, help raising credit scores, home ownership education, and workforce development. Clients also receive assistance with collections, garnishments, frozen bank accounts, court cases, and judgments.
One of the most important aspects of our conversation centered around youth ages 9 through 21 who reside in Buffalo, Lockport, and Niagara Falls. BFNC youth services include access to health care, cultural experiences, mentoring, social services, summer employment and enrichment programs. “Youth are our future, and we continually work toward expanding opportunities and support so they can overcome life’s obstacles and thrive,” explains Chandra.
What’s next? “We continue to reimagine our service delivery based on the community’s changing needs,” says Chandra. “Housing and health care are ongoing priorities for us. We look forward to providing supportive services that assist residents that struggle with rental payments.” She adds, “Health education and prevention are key. A focus on women’s health is needed now more than ever, so we are making that a 2023 priority.”
Learn more about Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers at www.bfnc.org or call 716-856-0363 today. Their doors are always open.
The post Unlocking Potential and Enriching Lives. Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers appeared first on Buffalo Healthy Living Magazine.
