embraceWNY is a local, non-profit organization comprised of gay and straight members of the Western New York community.  A Board of Directors has been established to handle the philanthropic responsibilities of this new organization. The 2009-2010 executive members of embraceWNY are: President, Jeffrey H. Platt; Vice President, James Rolls; Secretary, Judy Dumitru; and Treasurer, Brian E Mietlicki. Other serving members are: Douglas Charles, Dinah Gamin, Lynn R. James, Dr. Steve Niemiec, Lynn Tranchell and Richard Nashwinter.

In April 2009 the Board unanimously approved scholarships/grants to the following, with a total amount of $7000 granted:  Buffalo United Artists, Buffalo Bear’s Life Memorial Park, Pride Buffalo, and local youth attending Equality and Justice Day in Albany.  In July, embraceWNY hosted the Buffalo premiere of Swimming with Lesbians and as a result were able to grant $800 to the Madeline Davis GLBT Archives and $800 to Blue Sky Productions.  In November 2009 the Board granted $1000 educational scholarships to each of two young women  who were active in their high school gay/straight alliances and are continuing their educational pursuits at local colleges.   And in January 2010 $1000 was awarded to the Northeast LGBT Conference helping to support this annual event for high school and college students.  We look to 2010 to continue our support of local organizations and individuals working toward equality for all Western New Yorkers!

It takes a lot of courage
to release the familiar and seemingly secure,
to embrace the new.

But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.
There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life, and
in change there is power.
-Alan Cohen