April 2, 2021

Student Peer Advocate Program to support families served through the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc. to help younger children in need celebrate their special day

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Tenth grade Buffalo Public School student members of the Independent Health Foundation’s Student Peer Advocate Program are seeking to support local children in need by encouraging donations to the Buffalo Birthday Box Initiative online.

A $10 donation made between March 31 – April 16 will provide a Birthday Box for young children of families in need served by the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network. The fun-filled packages will contain cake mix, frosting, candles, decorations, small gifts and other fun supplies associated with a birthday party!

“While COVID-19 has impacted all of us, the health and lives of local families in need have been particularly negatively effected”, said Carrie Meyer, Executive Director, Independent Health Foundation. “As the Independent Health Foundation is working to improve access to services and education for physical and mental health, another way we can help families is ensuring the special day of young children is celebrated through the Birthday Box Initiative.”

Funds donated will be used to purchase the contents of the Birthday Boxes, which will be assembled by the members of the Student Peer Advocate Program and delivered to families by the Buffalo Perinatal-Prenatal Network, Inc. (BPPN).

“BPPN works with women and men in the high risk neighborhoods by providing in home services focused on parenting, child development, prevention of child abuse and neglect, and case management while their children are 2-5 years of age,” said LuAnne Brown, RN, Chief Executive Officer, Buffalo Perinatal-Prenatal Network. “We’re grateful to the Independent Health Foundation and the Student Peer Advocate Program for helping us further support these families”.

The Independent Health Foundation’s Student Peer Advocate Program engages high school students to develop leadership skills through training and experience. These students make a positive impact on their student body and community by volunteering and service projects. This program is supported by The John R. Oishei Foundation.

Members of the Student Peer Advocate Program attend Buffalo Public Schools, including Fredrick Law Olmstead, Hutch Tech, Visual & Performing Arts, Da Vinci and South Park high schools.

Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network’s overall mission is to coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders in Erie County/City of Buffalo to increase access to and utilization of preconception, prenatal, perinatal and postpartum health care services in the community. Learn more online at www.bppn.org.

Established in 1992, the Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, education, and other programs focused on community health priorities. For more information on the Foundation’s activities, visit www.independenthealth.com/foundation.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Savannah, 16, a student at Kensington Frederick Law Olmsted School in Buffalo and member of the Student Peer Advocate Program, is available for an interview via Zoom to discuss the Birthday Box Initiative.