Welcome to New Directions
New Directions Youth and Family Services is a non-profit agency that helps children with emotional and behavioral problems, along with their families.
We offer more than 25 programs and services aiding residents throughout the State of New York.
Highlights
New Directions co-sponsoring program to help parents learn about gangs on Sept. 13 & 16
Parents can learn how to keep their child safe from gangs at “Gang Awareness: What You Need to Know.”
The same presentation will be held on two different dates: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Both presentations will be held in the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, 450 Masten Ave. at East Ferry, Buffalo
Free child care will be available. Seating is limited to 600, so please come early. Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged.
The event is sponsored by New Directions Youth and Family Services, New Era Cap Company, Inc., the Buffalo Police Department, the East Coast Gang Investigators Association, the Erie County Department of Social Services, the Department of Justice (U.S. Attorney’s Office) and Buffalo Public Schools.
Getting bargains and helping kids
Mary Jo Traversone of Lockport, right, pays Marge Richards, Performance and Quality Improvement assistant at New Directions Youth and Family Services, for the bolts of cloth and other items she bought at the third annual yard sale held Saturday, Aug. 2 at Wyndham Lawn Home for Children. The early rain didn’t hamper shoppers at the event, and $1,200 was raised to benefit Children’s Mental Health Programs.
Family celebrates adoption of sibling pair
Megan, 5, and Thanen, 10, were recently the center of attention for the celebration of their adoptions. From left are adoptive parents Angie and Suzie, Megan (on Suzie’s lap), Thanen, and the family’s other children, Samantha, 14, Dusty, 17, and Darin, 16. Angie and Suzie have been doing foster care for almost eight years, and the recently adopted sibling pair, Megan and Thanen, had been in foster care with them for five years. “If you are looking for excitement, be a foster parent, because there is never a dull moment, and that is the honest truth,” Angie said. “It is challenging, but rewarding.” Angie and Suzie have an open adoption with Megan and Thanen’s biological mother, and she will visit.
Annual horse show held at Randolph Children's Home
Arielle, middle, stands proudly with, clockwise from top left, her stepfather Mike, mother Anne, sister Isabella and brother Michael. Arielle was one of the youth who participated in the annual horse show at Randolph Children’s Home on June 21. “Whenever I am sad I want to come see the horses,” Arielle said. “They are calming for me.”
Raising awareness for mental health
Distributing green ribbons to raise awareness during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week are Marge Wright, left, Family Support coordinator, and Rose Edwards, a parent in the S.M.I.L.E. Family Support Group. They were part of a group from New Directions Youth and Family Services helping to educate the public on children’s mental health and the services that are available to families. For more information, call Marge Wright, Family Support coordinator, at 433-4487, ext. 467.
Global Village teen honored at luncheon
Jarred, 19, of Akron was honored Friday, May 9 during a luncheon marking Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week sponsored by Family Voices Network of Erie County.
Adoption program approved at New Directions Youth and Family Services
New Directions Youth and Family Services has received approval from New York State to operate an adoption program. Through its Global Village Therapeutic Foster Care Program, the agency currently offers therapeutic foster care services and post-adoption services.
