Veterans Art Therapy Program To Help Local Heroes

Veterans Art Therapy Program To Help Local Heroes

(BUFFALO, NY) – The Roycroft Campus Corporation has teamed with the Arts in Education Institute of WNY and the Buffalo Vet Center to develop the Veterans Art Therapy Program to help local service members. The program, which was developed to allow veterans to explore their experiences and emotions through multiple art disciplines, will begin after January 1, 2010.

The Veterans Art Program will include sessions in theater, music, and spoken word, combined with painting, video and drawing, taught by certified art therapists and Institute-trained professional Teaching Artists. Designed by the Arts in Education Institute, and outreach specialists from the Buffalo Vet Center, weekly classes will be held at the Institute Center at 121 Humboldt Pkwy, and other locations. This exciting program will allow veterans an opportunity to explore their emotions and experiences through active, team-based participation. This group engagement seeks to create a setting similar to the squad camaraderie familiar to all service members.  Veterans' work will be presented in a gallery exhibit and public performance event at the end of the six-week session.

The not-for-profit Roycroft Campus Corporation, which has undertaken the restoration of the National Historic Landmark Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, will provide artisan support and host the gallery event.

“This is a great opportunity for the Roycroft community to embrace our veterans and help them with their experiences through our artisans,” stated Dan Frontera, Director of Development.  “Any opportunity that we have to give back to our veterans and help them work through their experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan or Vietnam truly embodies the spirit of Roycroft.  We are very proud to partner with the Arts in Education Institute and the VA," he continued.

For more information on the Veterans Art Program, contact the Arts in Education Institute at 716- 880-3292 or visit the website at http://www.facebook.com/l/32435;www.artsined.com.  Veterans can also receive information on the program by contacting the Buffalo Vet Center at 862-7350.

For more information, contact:
Jackie Albarella, Executive Director
Arts in Education Institute
Phone 716-880-3291

 
Patrick W. Welch, PhD
Director
Erie County Veterans Services Agency
Rath Building - Suite 1254
95 Franklin St.
Buffalo, NY 14202
http://www.erie.gov/veterans/
 

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Susan Marie Public Relations
Susan.Marie.1971@gmail.com
http://www.susanmarie.info
http://www.thinktwiceradio.com
New York USA  2009

Tunes4Food: Musicians to host Food Bank campaign

Musicians to host Food Bank campaign

(Buffalo, NY) - Each month 96,000 struggling Western New Yorkers turn to soup kitchens, food pantries, and other sources for their meals. Supplies come from the Food Bank of WNY that has been a lifeline since 1979, moving food from sources to the needy, through a network of more than 300 community sites. Increasingly challenging times often inspire citizens’ creative responses, like the unique student-hosted music campaign called “tunes4food.”

On Friday, December 18, 2009, at the Walden Galleria Mall, (Cheektowaga, NY) a tunes4food concert is set to benefit the Food Bank and will run from 3-9 PM inside and on a stage near the Apple Store (ground floor north end near Sears.) Live music and student hosts will engage shoppers and seek support. The new event is a follow-up to the first tunes4food, 25-hour marathon held on Niagara Square last June.

High school students from Buffalo, Lockport, Lewiston-Porter, and Holland, along with college students from Villa Maria & Houghton, will introduce and share the stage with veteran local artists.

The coordinator, Student Voices, is building the tunes4food brand as a lesson in community service. Despite having its own funds reduced on NYS’s budget crisis chopping block, Student Voices is offering its creative resources to help other non-profits. This proactive stance is attracting partners.

New believers are bringing support, including Assembly member, Sam Hoyt. “The tunes4food project will assist the Food Bank of Western New York in its important mission of feeding those in need in our community,” says Hoyt.  “It brings valuable experience to the participating students and entertainment to all who attend the performances. So everyone wins.”
 

In addition to Hoyt, WNY musicians, arts groups and businesses are getting involved. The growing team includes Key Bank, Ciurczak & Company, New Era Cap, Villa Maria College, Music in Action, Music is Art, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, Buffalo Select Chorus, Buffalo Music Awards, Mike Vargovich, Emmi James, Free Henry!, Grace Stumberg, Bethany Fonda, Rachel O'Hara, Lenny Revell, The Blood Thirsty Vegans, YMaris Baez, Bernard Kunz, Six String Circus, The Headers, Chelsea Pelsone, Ed Bentley, The Joyce Wilson Nixon Band, Doug Yeomans and GCR Records.
 

Event donations and sales proceeds from CDs and special items will go to feed the hungry through the Food Bank’s more than 300 partners.

The non-profit Food Bank of Western New York, a member of the national network Feeding America, depends on special partnerships with food suppliers and community fundraising efforts like tunes4food to meet a growing regional need. 
 

“We are so appreciative of the young musicians participating in the second Tunes4Food concert for the Food Bank of WNY.  Our need is up 20 percent from last year and we can use any assistance to help us feed the hungry in our community,”  said Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY.
 

"The community showed amazing support for the first tunes4food event, which was imagined and completed very quickly”, stated Student Voices’ Coordinator Bob James. "The response was so strong, it planted seeds for more, including a new after-school program of artist workshops and a Mohawk Place benefit concert both planned for early 2010. Promoting innovation and teamwork during tough times is part of our cause."

For more information, email Bob James (bobjames1@aol.com) and visit www.tunes4food.org.  Get to The Walden Galleria Mall on December 18, 2009 3pm until 9pm to see free live local music and help out this worthy cause.

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Susan Marie
http://www.susanmarie.info
http://www.thinktwiceradio.com
New York USA

Bob James,
Creative Director
www.studentvoices.org
716.912.6656 (cell)

Dan Millman: Way Of The Peaceful Warrior

Dan Millman lives with a peaceful heart and warrior spirit, transforming everyday life into a path of personal and spiritual growth lending his experience to the world. Translated into 20 languages, "Way Of The Peaceful Warrior", is the first volume of many inspirational books including, " Bridge Between Worlds."  Dan's work influences men and women from all walks of life, including leaders in fields of psychology, education, health, business, politics, entertainment, sports, and art. Dan is also the author of several inspirational children's books. Please visit his website.

Thank you Janna Willoughby for sharing your heart. Thank you Dan, through your experience, you allow others to alter their own perspective. God Bless You.

Please listen everyone, there is feedback Dan and I are asking for regarding something on his website for YOU to find. This is so enlightening. I am blessed.

For feedback: susan.marie.1971@gmail.com

Dan Millman's website: http://www.peacefulwarrior.com

Interview:  http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/sue-marie/sue-marie.html

Peace,

Sue



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Susan Marie
http://www.susanmarie.info
http://www.thinktwiceradio.com
New York USA 2009