Veterans and Service Providers to Identify Key Issues and Service Gaps to Address Community Needs

June 20, 2016: “Bridging the Gaps: WNY in Support of Veterans,” a unique symposium identifying key issues and service gaps to address community needs for veterans, will be held on Wednesday, June 22, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Ramada Amherst/Getzville Hotel and Conference Center, 2402 North Forest Road, Getzville. The free event is geared towards service providers and veterans.

The keynote speaker is New York State Senator Robert Ortt, along with a distinguished panel, including: James Becker, MFA, GWOT outreach counselor, Buffalo Veteran Center; Joseph Chudoba, domestic violence advocate for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court team leader and co-founder of Re-Boot Camp, Inc.; Kerry Donnelly, PhD, ABPP, clinical neuropsychologist, VA WNY Healthcare System; and Maria Gordon, LMSW, military case management service coordinator, Catholic Charities Vision Military Program.

Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) said: “Helping veterans has been one of my top priorities in Albany. Last year, I brought the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Program to Niagara county, which connects veterans with other veterans coping with the effects of PTSD and TBI. I helped to pass the veterans buy back bill, which was finally signed into law earlier this month. I’ve hosted several veterans' forums that, like this symposium, bring dozens of key agencies together under one roof to help our servicemen and women obtain the resources they need. I will continue to work toward closing the gaps in services, so that we can ensure that none of our veterans are left behind.”

The presentation is sponsored by Headway of WNY, People Inc. and Catholic Charities.

Headway of WNY, an affiliate of People Inc., is a non-profit support and advocacy agency whose mission is to ensure that individuals in Western New York with brain injuries, other disabilities and seniors have access to advocacy, resources and support systems to enable them to live as independently as possible. Headway of WNY is committed to providing services for veterans and their families, particularly those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). For more information, call 716-408-3100.

People Inc. provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York and Rochester. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals in achieving greater degrees of independence and productivity. For more information, call 716-880-3700.

Catholic Charities Vision Military program offers supports and services to veterans and military families through direct services and collaboration with local agencies throughout Western New York. Current or former military members, veterans and their families can present a need at any community-based office of Catholic Charities. For more information, call 716-877-8822.