EPIC

April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth and we will be sharing statistics, resources and stories for you. Swipe for a great book that supports children in body awareness and saying NO, and stay tuned all month for more tools and strategies. #epic #everypersoninfluenceschildren #nonprofit #local #buffalo #buffalove #parenting #parents #family #families #kids #children #familyengagement #pandemic #home #familyfun #familyovereverything #baby #toddler #virtuallearning #EC200 #eriecountybicentennial #childabuseprevention #childabuseawareness

Stay tuned all month as we provide resources and support to #endchildabuse

Thanks to everyone who came out to Good for the Neighborhood at #1021Broadway on Thursday. Our friends at Independent Health Foundation were able to distribute ...produce bags to so many people in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. Thanks also to all the partners who joined us! Algonquin Sports for Kids Matt Urban Center EPIC - Every Person Influences Children Parent Network of WNY Oishei Children's Hospital Broadway Pediatrics Field & Fork Network Lewandowski Produce Girls on the Run Buffalo Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library Buffalo Museum of Science The Buffalo Urban League Project Play WNY Independent Health Medically Oriented Gym at Jericho Road The Service Collaborative of WNY Boys on the Right Track Oishei Healthy Kids

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Brian Pilarski and the Seneca-Babcock Community Association, Inc. for how quickly they have pivoted and supported families in exactly what they need. Brian says: "Working parents throughout the county are grappling with how to support their children’s education, while also physically reporting to work. Thus, the Seneca-Babcock Community Association, Inc. has created virtual learning support centers to support the education of school-aged ...children. We will provide the care, tech support, meals and supervision to children, primarily (but not exclusively) to those children between the ages of 5 and 12, during the hours which they are required to participate in synchronous and asynchronous virtual instruction or would otherwise be in attendance at school 7:00am to 5:30pm. If your income is less than 85% of the state median income (SMI) this Service is FREE for your family." Thank you so much Brian and team for creating this vital service for families. For more information, please call Julie Swatsworth at 716-436-4519 or e-mail [email protected].

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Jess Tomaino, founder of WAHI Studio! Her nominator says: "It takes so much courage and passion to launch a brand new business, especially now- but that's exactly what Jess did. Her new studio is bringing something to Newfane that it so desperately needs: a space for both kids and adults to feel safe, creative and joyful. I'm so happy there are people like Jess who are committed to the arts during a time where we need an escape." Congratulations to Jess and WAHI Studio! We're so glad to have you, both in WNY and as part of our 40 Days of Heroes.

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Linda Gleason, who was nominated by Natalie, her daughter-in-law. Natalie says: "My mother-in-law, Linda Gleason, just retired this year after 39 years of teaching special education - 37 of which was dedicated to Frontier Middle School in Hamburg, NY. I may be the one nominating her, but I speak on behalf of everyone who's ever been lucky to know her, that she is the epitome of a modern-day hero. As we cleaned out her classroom this summe...r, I was so touched to see the years and years of letters, pictures, and artifacts she collected from her grateful students. She's truly made an impact in each student's life. She's constantly giving her time and energy to others in need. Post-retirement, she is already busy tutoring students in this remote learning world we live in and she continues to support her fellow teachers by providing advice and compassion. We would love for her to get a little extra recognition, even though she would never ask for it or expect it." Linda, you are such a treasure! Thank you for so many years of selfless service to make such a powerful impact on your students. You truly are a hero!

#40DaysOfHeroes: Staff Pick! We didn't just ask our community to nominate a hero- we also looked inside our own lives to celebrate the heroes to us. First up in the "Staff Celebration" series is CJ, who nominated his wife Tammy L Banks. CJ says: "Tammy is such a dedicated, loving, supportive mom and wife. She has been a mother to my oldest son (her stepson) since he was five, a mother of our four children, and a mother to our two foster children. Before the pandemic, she als...o was a teacher's assistant in Pre-K. Prior to that, she volunteered as a member of the PTO at Southside Elementary School. Tammy is so dedicated and loving to all children and has literally given the clothes off her back to ensure that children have what they want and need. When it comes to choosing a hero, I choose her!" Tammy, you are such a light to everyone that meets you. Congratulations on being a hero to your family and to so many others!

#40DaysOfHeroes with a twist today: we are celebrating authors! Books are such a huge part of the work we do here at EPIC: from programs like Storytime and Ready, Set, Read! to special events like Storytime at Canalside and Storytime In Your Neighborhood. Thank you authors everywhere for putting your magical words onto paper and putting them out into the world. On the topic of books- you can tune in virtually tonight at 5:30, right here on our Facebook page, to watch our monthly installment of Storytime In Your Neighborhood with Jericho Road Community Health Center and Deaf Access Services, as we read "The Giant Turnip"! We've also got dozens of stories up on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2RmR2Px62qknnWrse0QyQ/ Thank you authors everywhere! We <3 books!

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Christine Simpson, who was nominated by Liza Keenan. Liza says: "When nursing homes had to close to visitors at the start of the pandemic, we all worried about my 95 year old grandfather. He lives for his family and not being able to see him would be impossibly hard for him- and for all of us. We were so blessed to find Christine, someone who was willing to add extra hours to be a special friend to my grandfather. She listens to his many ...stories, encouraged him when he’s feeling discouraged, and helps him FaceTime and connect with his extended family. She has truly been a hero to my grandfather and our whole family during such a difficult and scary time. We are so grateful to her and are so pleased to be able to nominate her!" Christine, thank you so much for sharing your kind heart and boundless energy with the greatest generation. You truly are a hero!

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Heidi Romer from Jericho Road Community Health Center! Her nominator says: Heidi is such a light and force for good in her community. She is a stand for her families and will do all in her power to help them succeed. Heidi is also a driving force in Storytime in Your Neighborhood and a huge advocate for the revitalization of the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood." Congratulations, Heidi! Thank you for all you do for the good of others. We are... honored to have you part of our 40 Days of Heroes. #40thanniversary #epic #everypersoninfluenceschildren #nonprofit #local #buffalo #buffalove #parenting #parents #family #families #kids #children #familyengagement #support #supportline #supportgroup #mom #ittakesavillage #askforhelp #pandemic #home #virtuallearning #remotelearning #homeschool #broadwayfillmorealive

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Jessica Protas! Her nominator Jill says: "Jessica is a Respiratory Therapist at Children's Hospital. Despite having 3 children of her own, some virtual learning during this time, she gives 100% at her job. When they need extra staff she stays, when they schedule too many, she stays on and gives the time off to someone else. She is selfless, caring and one of the most supportive humans beings you may ever meet." Congratulations, Jessica! You're such a bright light to everyone that knows you and we are honored to have you part of our 40 Days of Heroes.

#40DaysOfHeroes: today we celebrate brothers Mike & Tony Concialdi , owners of Panaro's Restaurant, nestled downtown between Colter Bay and Tempo. The brothers opened the restaurant 15 years ago in honor of their late mom Kathy. Their nominator says: I love that they cook their own family recipes. Their food is so delicious and tastes like real, true Italian- and I love that the entire staff is their extended family. It feels so good every time I walk in; I feel like I’m par...t of Sunday sauce at grandma’s house. I know Covid has made things so scary for business owners and they’re working so hard to keep this restaurant alive for their family and their mom’s memory. Seeing how hard they work and have such a positive attitude is really inspiring to me. You can visit them (and order!) at www.panaros.net. Thank you Mike and Tony for so many years of delicious food you’ve made the hearts and bellies of Buffalonians so happy. Salut- we’re so glad to have you as part of 40 Days of Heroes. . . . . . . . #40thanniversary #epic #everypersoninfluenceschildren #nonprofit #local #buffalo #buffalove #parenting #parents #family #families #kids #children #familyengagement #support #supportline #supportgroup #mom #dad #ittakesavillage #askforhelp #pandemic #home #familyfun #buffalorestaurants #eatlocal #italianfood

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate Angela Sauers, who was nominated by her sister Emily. Emily says: "My sister, Angela, is a single mom who has done an excellent job raising two young kids (ages 6 and 4). During the pandemic, she has risen to the challenges of virtual learning, getting both kids ready for virtual meetings and helping them with their school work. Angela has also been fantastic at showing her 2 young kids how to appreciate nature by taking them to parks and... showing them how to fly kites and engage in activities that are fun during challenging times. Although Angela's husband passed away suddenly just 3 years ago, she has showed strength for her 2 kids. That is why Angela is my hero and I think this nice surprise would cheer her up during hard times!" Angela, you are doing INCREDIBLE. Thank you for being such a supportive and creative influence on your children and everyone around you, and for your single mom superhero strength. You truly deserve this recognition as part of our #40DaysOfHeroes!

#40DaysOfHeroes : today we celebrate a beloved local business, Rolly Pollies of Western New York! RP owner Jim says: It’s sometimes hard to believe that we’ve owned Rolly Pollies for 15 years now! What started as a passion project has grown into so much more than we expected. At its heart, Rolly Pollies is about learning through play, without the pressure that competitive programs bring, every child truly flourishes and moves and grows at their own pace in a supportive envir...onment. Our goal has always been to work with our WNY community to raise physically, socially, and emotionally healthy children, and our commitment to that shines through our curriculum implemented by our staff of highly trained Roll Models. What we love most about this business is watching the countless families come to our gym and have fun together. Seeing everyone having fun while learning new skills never gets old. Rolly Pollies has our own professionally developed curriculum designed specifically for ages 4 months to not quite walking. Classes incorporate vestibular stimulation and core muscle development with the main goal of getting children ready for independent walking. Vestibular stimulation is a key component to the development of balance, which is the cornerstone for all gross motor skills and core muscles are developed and strengthened to ensure proper posture and positioning for walking and righting oneself when losing balance." Your first class at Rolly Pollies is free, and you can also check them out virtually on Facebook (Rolly Pollies of Western New York), Instagram (@rollypollieswny) and YouTube (RollyPolliesWNY). And of course, you can catch them TONIGHT at the finale of our Baby Expo- they'll be sharing everything about their classes, Covid safety measures and are also giving away a pretty sweet prize pack :) See you tonight at 6:30! Rolly Pollies, thank you so much for the many years of joy, fun, play and learning you have brought to the children of WNY. You truly deserve this spot in our 40 Days of Heroes!

#40DaysOfHeroes: today we celebrate NYS Children’s Environmental Health Centers! They are doing so much for the health of children in WNY. Environmental exposures can have lifelong impacts on children’s health and development, so NYSCHECK works tirelessly to educate families on keeping their homes the safest and cleanest as possible for their kids. You can find some great additional resources here: https://nyscheck.org/buffalo-regional/ and https://nyscheck.org/rx/ You can also catch their full presentation on Safe Green Cleaning here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onZCms1I1pM Thank you NYSCHECK team for all you do for families all across NYS! We are honored to have you as part of our 40 Days of Heroes.