• Autoinflammatory Awareness  
• National Immunization Awareness
• SMA Awareness
• Drowning Impact Awareness
• Romance Awareness 
• Psoriasis Awareness
• Breastfeeding Awareness

Detailed description of the group: The purpose of this group is to identify and share experiences with peers who also suffer from Bipolar or Anxiety Disorder. The group discusses many coping mechanisms and issues related to having Bipolar Disorder as well as Anxiety.

Department: MHPC

Who is the audience for this group: People with Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety. This is not a support group for family members or friends of people with Bipolar or Anxiety.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group:  Every Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Address location:  WNY Independent Living, Inc., 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, behind Jim’s Steakout. 

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator’s names are Joe Randle. To find out more information about this group, call Joe at (716) 836-0822 ext. 183.

Detailed description of the group: The purpose of this group is to address issues related to cluttering. Topics include recovery from cluttering, learning to set achievable goals to beat the clutter and reduce acquiring.

Department: MHPC

Who is the audience for this group: Adults who feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea of getting rid of things that clutter their home.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group: Every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Address location: WNY Independent Living, Inc., 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, behind Jim’s Steakout.

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator’s name is Mary Frances. To find out more information about this group, feel free to contact the Administrative Assistant  at (716) 836-0822 Ext. 170. 

Detailed description of the group:  The purpose of this group is to offer a safe and welcoming environment to encourage, support and motivate individuals and their loved ones that are affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Who is the audience for this group:  Individuals and their loved ones who are affected by MS.

Open to the public

Buffalo office location/dates:  WNY Independent Living, Inc., 3108 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214, behind Jim’s Steakout. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Palanker Conference Room.

Facilitator and contact information:  The facilitator’s name is Mary Karpinski, from the National MS Society. For more information about this group, call Mary Karpinski directly at (716) 338-7208.

Detailed description of the group: The purpose of this group is to address issues of having Depression. Topics include coping skills, self-esteem issues, dealing with life issues and peer counseling.

Department: MHPC

Who is the audience for this group:  People who suffer from Depression.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group:  Every Tuesday from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Address location:  Endeavor, 1526 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225. (previously called Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment)

Facilitator and contact information:  The facilitator’s name is Brenda Starks. To find out more information about this group, call Brenda Starks at (716) 836-0822, ext. 118 or Lavell at (716) 836-0822 ext. 100

Detailed description of the group:  The purpose of this group is to help consumers of WNYIL, Inc. gain communication skills by socializing with other consumers, playing card games, while enjoying BBQ burgers & hot-dogs.

Department:  MHPC

Who is the audience for this group: Consumers of WNYIL, Inc.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group: The 3rd Friday of every month, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Address location: WNY Independent Living, Inc. at 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214; behind Jim’s Steakout, in the Job Club downstairs.

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator’s name is Brenda Starks. To find out more information, call Brenda at (716) 836-0822 ext. 118, or their Administrative Assistant at (716) 836-0822 ext. 170.

The purpose of this group is to identify and share experiences with peers who struggle with mental health and are also LGBTQ2. Group topics will center around LGBTQ2 issues, mental health issues, and anything the group wants to discuss.  

This group is for people who are LGBTQ2 and struggle with mental health. This is not a support group for family members or friends of LGBTQ2 people with emotional issues.

Open to the public

Days and Times for this group:  Every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Palanker Room. 

Address Location:  WNY Independent Living, Inc., 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Free parking behind Jim’s Steakout.  

Contact:  To find out more information about this group, please call June McGrath directly at (716) 836-0822 ext. 144, or any of the Receptionists; Latricia at (716) 836-0822 ext. 120 or Lavell at (716) 836-0822 ext. 100. 

Detailed description of the group: The purpose of this group is to share information and educate the members about pertinent topics to improve their quality of life, and allow people to provide support to one another.

Department: MHPC

Open to the public

Days and times for this group: Group is held every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address location: Mental Health Association, 999 Delaware Ave., Buffalo NY 14209. (On the corner of Delaware Ave. & West Utica St.)

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator’s name for this group is Lisa Maria Cruz. To find out more information about this group, call Lisa Maria directly at (716) 836-0822 ext. 520.

Detailed description of the group: The purpose of this group is to help individuals with anger issues using different conflict resolution strategies to better manage and resolve conflicts in their lives.

Who is the audience for this group: Consumers of WNYIL, Inc.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group:  *12 Week Program starts Mondays*
          *Intake for new attendees (never attended before) is at 5:00 p.m. 
          *Anger Management Group runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Address location: WNY Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC),  746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14301

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator’s name is Lauren Ryan. To find out more information about this group, call Lauren Ryan at (716) 836-0822 ext. 216, or the Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200 to sign up.

PLEASE NOTE: Anger Management has a waiting list. Call regularly for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.  Next 12-week group starts as of May 2018.

Detailed Description of the Group: Addict 2 Addict; Family 2 Family will be holding get-to-know-you “H.E.L.L.O.” Peer Family Support Groups in five locations around Erie County, to introduce the community to its innovative peer approach. They’re designed to bring awareness, education, and support surrounding addiction to families who are struggling with a loved one’s addiction. Participants will learn about addiction from addicts in long-term recovery, sharing their experience, discovering how to set healthy boundaries, and, most importantly, the importance and “how-to” of self-care. There’s no cost to attend the event and addicts themselves are welcomed. The scheduled Peer Family Support Groups are as follows:

BUFFALO: 
Every first Saturday of the month, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at:
Western New York Independent Living, Inc.
3108 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214

Every third Thursday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at: 
Good Shepherd Community of Faith
187 Southside Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14220

ANGOLA: 
Every second Thursday of the month, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at:
Evans Volunteer Fire Company
8298 Erie Road, Angola, NY 14006

HAMBURG:
Every second Monday of the month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at:
Hamburg Village Community Center
107 Prospect Ave., Hamburg, NY 14075

Facilitator and contact information: More information is available from Addict 2 Addict, Family 2 Family on our 24 hours a day Hot line 716-836-2726, or by calling The Team Leader Gretchen Vinson at 716-836-0822 ext. 135. You can also contact the Family Support Stephanie Fitzpatrick at ext. 164.

(In Niagara County call the Addict 2 Addict 24 hour a day Hotline at 716-393-4333 or their Team Leader Desiree Wloodarek at 716-836-0822 ext. 232, for information on help with addiction and supports they provide.)

Detailed description of the class:  The purpose of this class is to teach and help consumers of WNYIL, Inc. gain communication skills by using Sign Language to socialize with other consumers who are deaf.

Who is the audience for this group: Consumers of WNYIL, Inc. 

Open to the public

Days and times for this group: Every Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Address location: WNY Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC), 746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301.

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator for this class will be Jeanette Grimaldi. To find out more information about this group, call Jeanette Grimaldi directly at (716) 402-5508 or Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200.

Detailed description of the group:  The purpose of this group is to help consumers of WNYIL, Inc. gain communication skills by using Sign Language to socialize with other consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Who is the audience for this group: Consumers of WNYIL, Inc.

Open to the public

Days and times for this group: Group will meet a few times a month at various restaurants from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’d like to attend, please call Jeanette directly to confirm the exact dates & times.

Address location: WNY Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC), on 746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301.

Facilitator and contact information: The facilitator for this group will be Jeanette Grimaldi. To find out more information about this group, call Jeanette Grimaldi directly at (716) 402-5508 or Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200.

New Social Support Group is for those who do not use sign language. It is going to be held at Christ Community Church located on 140 Genesee Street in Lockport, N.Y.  The group is set to occur on the 1st Thursday of every month, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Jeanette Grimaldi will be the facilitator for this group. If you have any questions about this group or to find out information, contact Jeanette directly by calling her at (716) 402-5508, or email jgrimaldi@wnyil.org  
or Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200.

Walk-in information: To obtain further information on the Benefit Assistance Walk-In, please contact Robert Leiter & Jeanette Grimaldi. Either one will discuss and help with SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. They will also ensure individuals understand how their benefits will be affected by working. It will be conducted on the 4th Tuesday of every month, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Niagara Falls Office (ILNC) on 746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301. For more information contact Rob at (716) 284-4131 ext. 205, or contact Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200

Walk-in information: The facilitator for the ILS Walk-In is Robert Leiter. He will discuss housing needs, assistance with forms, landlord issues, advocacy among other things. It will be conducted on the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­4^th Tuesday of every month, at the Niagara Falls Office (ILNC) on 746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301. For more information contact Robert Leiter at (716) 284-4131 ext. 205, or the Niagara Falls Receptionist Roger at (716) 284-4131 ext. 200.

The Community Integration Project (CIP) is a Peer run initiative of the Mental Health Peer Connection at Western New York Independent Living for individuals exiting prisons and jails.

The Support Group meets Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. at Western New York Independent Living, 3108 Main Street located behind Jim's Steakout between LaSalle and Highgate.

The first meeting is August 16, 2018.

For more information about the Community Integration Project, contact Rafiq at 171.

NOTE: We no longer offer Support Groups for Anger Management at the WNYIL Buffalo office, only in our WNYIL Niagara Falls Office location. We also have a wait list for Anger Management and can’t always get everyone in at once. We sincerely apologize for any Inconveniences this may have caused.

Visit www.eriemha.org and use the ‘Self-Help Group Directory’ for an additional listing of other support groups held within Erie County.