Social & Wellness
Social and Wellness – Social Opportunities and Resources Erie County NY – Support Groups, Advocacy Groups/Movement/Clubs and Activities
Mental Health Association of Erie County Support Groups
Be an advocate! Speak up for your rights and be a part of change in your community. Joining a self-advocacy group will help you understand your rights, to develop and/or strengthen your leadership and communication skills,and receive peer support.
Parent Network Youth Empowerment Resources
The clubhouses help individuals in Recovery develop social skills that promote prevention, long-term health, wellness, Recovery and a drug-free lifestyle. A variety of services and activities including homework help and tutoring, college and job preparation, community service opportunities, sports and fitness activities, group entertainment activities, and peer mentoring are also available. Youth and family advisory board members at each clubhouse play a big part in helping shape its activities and programming
Spotlight on Youth Open Mic (SOY) has provided young people (ages 13-19) in the WNY area a safe and supportive space to share their artistic talents since 2004. All art forms are welcome. SOY is usually held on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month from 5:30-8:00 pm at Shea’s Smith Theatre (658 Main St., in the Theatre District and on the subway line). From 5:30-6:00pm, participants enjoy free pizza and can begin sign up for the open mic. Participation in the event is free and open to the public.
Spotlight On Youth Buffalo Open Mic
This compilation of service ideas is designed as a helpful guide to service opportunities for young people in the Diocese of Buffalo. It is not an exhaustive list of service opportunities for adolescents or young adults. If you know of other service ideas that you would like to share with other youth ministry programs, please contact the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry at 716-847-8789 or [email protected].
The mission of the Youth and Climate Justice (YCJ) Fellowship is to engage and unite youth in leadership development and educational opportunities to strengthen their connection to the climate justice movement. Youth from WNYEA member, partner or affiliate organizations, especially those on the front lines of climate change impacts, are invited to join the program to learn advocacy techniques and tools through participation in advocacy events, training and workshops. The YCJ aims to empower young individuals to be successful climate justice leaders within their host organizations, schools, homes and the region more broadly.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has a lot of information available on groups and resources this page goes right to LGBTQ.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Erie County compiles a list of youth development program opportunities. The following list is a great resource for local youth, parents, caregivers and community providers. The list provides activities and resources to support the growth and development and to enrich the lives of our students outside of school. This is a PDF that can be downloaded and saved.
Places to Visit around Erie County
Buffalo Niagara Leisure Activities
Hamburg Adaptive Recreational Program
Cheektowaga Youth Recreation Program
Town of Cheektowaga Youth Recreation Program
WELLNESS SELF CARE – PREVENTION
All the following websites will have information that discusses Suicide Warning, Self-Harm and Mental Health Symptoms and Diagnosis. The links that have been provided below will get you to the page based on the information written above link.
Suicide Crisis and Hotlines:
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Crisis Hotline Numbers Erie County provided when you click this link.
If you don’t want to call: TEXT MHA to 741-741
Risk Factors and Warning Signs
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Website
SAVE Suicide Awareness Voices of Education Website
Warning Sides of Suicide, information about suicide, finding help and other information as well as crisis phone numbers.
Erie County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Erie County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Self-Harm information warning signs treatment and more.
NAMI National Alliance of Mental Illness. NAMI website provides information regarding Risk of Suicide, Depression, Managing Stress and so much more. This link will take you directly to the page regarding Self-harm for information regarding WHY and ways to Treat and Cope.
Help Guide Org provides information regarding Identifying triggers, understanding self-harm your own or someone else’s, confiding in someone and anxiety and so much more. The following link will take you right to the Cutting and Self Harm Page.
Information regarding self-injuring, self-harm and self-mutilation. Diagnosis, warning signs, treatment and more.
Surviving a Traumatic Loss – Traumatic Experience
How do I cope after a traumatic loss? This website provides information on the trauma related to loss, but also provides a place to Blog, Books, Movies and Music, Support System and more.
PsychGuides.com Is linked to the American Addictions Center. This link takes you directly to a helpline for depression.
This way up website talks about trauma, what it is, what are the warning signs, and how to cope with the symptoms.
Behavioral Health Response Team Website provides several resources, this link to their page Helps you develop coping skills for anger, anxiety and depression.
How to Develop Coping Skills for Anxiety and Depression
Addiction
Working through, Recognizing and Avoiding Addiction. Websites provide phone lines, information and opportunity to message and chat with a professional.
Living with a parent’s addiction.
This link provides articles and information for the you, but also your parents. There is a chat box, but this is used for the parent with questions, but also in hopes that they will access treatment.
This website offers information for 18 and older when needing help for addiction, but also offers help when it might be a friend or family member. 1-800 numbers are available on this sight for support.
Website offers articles and information, 1-800 numbers and a chat box when seeking information for a loved one, yourself and about rehabs. The following links provide articles and chat boxes. Read articles or chat when you need the opportunity to have a conversation with a professional.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-800-999-9999 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Access Pass
The Access Pass permits residents of New York State with disabilities, as defined in the application, free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The pass holder may have free or discounted use of facilities operated by these offices, for which there is normally a charge.
Erie County Office for People with Disabilities Events
Erie County Office for People with Disabilities
Adaptive Ice Skating Programs
Adaptive ice skating programs to teach people with physical, mental, emotional or multiple challenges.
Horseback Riding
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Programs for emotionally and physically challenged individuals.
Baseball
Provide an opportunity for anyone with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball.
Camp for Kids
An 86 acre camp retreat for special needs individuals. Offers fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tent camping, and archery shooting. Summer program available to ALL youth participants with special needs and weekend retreats for Veterans and their families.
Emergency Response Information
Erie County application and information if someone or someone living with you requires response in an emergency.
Erie County Emergency Services
County of Agencies and Services for Erie County Residents living with a disability. Searches can be narrowed on this page to your disability and zip code to services near you.
School
Best Colleges for students with disabilities.