Western New York Human Services Collaborative Receives $1.45 Million in Funding for Shared Space at 1021 Broadway

Four WNY Foundations Invest in Project Designed to Transform Nonprofit Operations in WNY

BUFFALO, N.Y., January 3, 2019 – The Western New York Human Services Collaborative – a group of eight nonprofits providing a wide range of parenting, mental health, developmental disability, and other programs and services throughout Western New York and beyond – has received funding from four of Western New York’s leading foundations totaling $1.45 million.

The eight agencies in the Western New York Human Services Collaborative are:

  • EPIC – Every Parent Influences Children
  • Parent Network of Western New York
  • Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York
  • Mental Health Advocates of Western New York (MHA)
  • Self-advocacyAssociation of New York State
  • Office for People With Developmental Disabilities(OPWDD) Region One – satellite office
  • Children’s Mental Health Coalition of Western New York
  • Spectrum Health and Human Services – satellite office

Grants were received from The John R. Oishei Foundation ($700,000), KeyBank/First Niagara Foundations ($500,000), The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation ($150,000), and Patrick P. Lee Foundation ($100,000). A number of additional requests for support – to foundations, corporations, and government agencies – are pending and the Collaborative expects to receive additional commitments in the coming months. Total buildout costs are estimated at $3.75 million to $4.5 million.

”For the past five years, a group of nonprofits has been working on a Shared Space project, where services, staffing, and programming could be shared…generating additional cost savings and operational advantages, beyond simply sharing space. Two years ago, this group settled on 1021 Broadway, the home of Jericho Road’s third health-care clinic, adjacent to the Broadway Market. This once-vibrant community is in the early stages of a renaissance, similar to the revivals in other parts of Buffalo,” said Ken Houseknecht, MHA executive director.

“Happily, in the last six weeks, four of the area’s leading foundations have together invested $1.45 million in the project. Many other funding requests are pending, some of which may materialize early in the new year. Others, hopefully, will follow soon thereafter. More than two dozen organizations have been part of the Shared Space conversation at various points, and eight are currently planning to move into 1021 Broadway in the fall of 2019. We fully expect that number to grow as the project continues to gain momentum,” said Houseknecht.

“This project has the potential to be transformational for the member organizations, the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, and the delivery of nonprofit programs and services in WNY. Heartfelt thanks to our Jericho Road partners, our funders, the leaders of the member organizations, and the hundreds of people who have given their time and talent to make this dream a reality,” said Houseknecht.

Jericho Road Community Health Center opened its third Buffalo-area clinic at 1021 Broadway in July of this year. Jericho Road provides high-quality medical care for the whole family –  especially people with limited access to medical care, like families living in poverty, refugees, and immigrants. It provides full-spectrum care to all, even those without insurance or the ability to pay. All of its services exist for and with its patients in mind.

“Jericho Road is blessed and enthusiastic to be working with the WNY Human Services Collaborative in their upcoming move into 1021 Broadway to bring a robust array of services to the Broadway-Fillmore community,” said Dr. Myron Glick, Jericho Road’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Western New York MRI opened its satellite location at 1021 Broadway in November 2018 and has begun to provide imaging services. The building has slated a 10,000 square-foot space for a Fitness Center, and work has also begun on a community meeting space and another space for possible retail development. Plans are also underway for an on-site dental clinic.

An analysis by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) projected a total wage impact of $151,414,158 at this site over the next ten years. The estimated benefit to the state and region for this project over a ten-year period was $7,988,522.

“Along with Jericho Road, this project represents a significant investment in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and will bring needed services to the area. By taking a creative approach and co-locating, these nonprofits will be able to operate more efficiently and collaboratively, making the project a great win for everyone,” commented Robert D. Gioia, Oishei Foundation President.

“KeyBank in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation is pleased to support this group of community agencies who have been working together for many years to help them realize their vision of true collaboration benefiting the residents of our East Side and WNY community,” said Gary Quenneville, KeyBank Upstate New York Regional Executive. “We are honored to support this effort to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to the residents in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and surrounding areas.”

“The Tower Foundation is pleased to support this exciting project. Bringing such a diverse group of organizations to one location will promote collaboration among the providers, improve access and coordination of services, and benefit our community overall.”

“The Lee Foundation commends The Western New York Human Services Collaborative’s commitment to providing comprehensive medical and family services under one roof.  The co-location of mental health and health providers will ensure greater accessibility for clients while also fostering innovation and collaboration among the agencies.  This is an exciting project that will have far reaching impact within our community.”

The eight agencies in the Western New York Human Services Collaborative together have approximately 550 employees, annual revenue of $37.5 million, and serve more than 60,000 individuals and families each year.