Latest news with #AdvocateoftheYear
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie Community Foundation donates $15,000 for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention
Advocates of the LGBTQ+ community say it's more important now than ever before to provide safe spaces for everyone. That's why the Erie Community Foundation continues to support the work that goes into it as well. Erie Land Bank changing policies to help drive development Statistics show that LGBTQ+ youth have higher risks of anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies than other groups. And investments into nonprofits like Compton's Table are what can help tip the scale in the other direction. 'Over the past several months we've seen several executive orders that have really been targeting the trans and the queer community stripping us of rights that we've been fighting for for centuries and decades really,' said Tyler Titus, the founder of Compton's Table. Titus said a statistic that keeps them up at night is a staggering 50% of LGBTQ youth have regular instances of suicidal ideation. And it's why groups like the Erie Community Foundation are continuing to support the work of nonprofits like Compton's Table. State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro named Advocate of the Year for anti-SLAPP law 'The LGBT fund is a really special group of people who are so passionate about turning around, taking their own experience as community members, or their passions as allies and using that to drive improvements for the LGBTQ+ community and this grant is a really perfect example of that,' said Olivia Burgess, director of collective giving for the Erie Community Foundation. The community foundation's LGBT fund is awarding $15,000 to Compton's Table to support youth programs. True North is a four-session life skills and empowerment program meant to help LGBTQ people ages 16-24. It gives them skills in things like career development, budgeting, self-care and beyond promoting confidence and resilience. Chat n' chill is what it sounds like, a safe space for peer groups to connect for open conversations regarding whatever might be happening in their lives. 'It was life-changing. I was able to learn life skills like how to cook, clean, be a good roommate and live with other people. They break it down into these nice bite-sized lessons each week so it's not too overwhelming for people. Especially when you're young, queer, and maybe even neurodivergent, it can be harder to absorb information like that,' said Sunny, a mentor at True North for Compton's Table. 'We need to create these people where can just show up as their full authentic self and just do things that teen and young adults do,' Titus went on to say. LECOM Health offers Erie's first treatment for Alzheimer's, dementia Titus said studies show that all it takes is just for one adult to be accepting of that individual and the risk of suicidal ideologies decreases by 40%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro named Advocate of the Year for anti-SLAPP law
A state representative from Erie County is recognized for his efforts to protect First Amendment freedoms in the Commonwealth. Third District Representative Ryan Bizzarro was given the first-ever Advocate of the Year award from the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association. Pennsylvania bill to curtail SLAPP cases becomes law According to the association, bizzarro is recognized for his pivotal role in the enactment of the new Pennsylvania anti-SLAPP law, Act 72 of 2024. Bizzarro said this legislation prohibits frivolous lawsuits from taking place, where a judge could automatically slap them down. Erie man recognized for saving the life of injured Erie man 'This legislation was signed into law on November 13th, 2024 and I'm very proud of it. I think we're seeing right now that folks who had frivolous lawsuits before these judges they are getting slapped down and it's doing what it needs to do to protect Pennsylvanians and protect and preserve our First Amendment rights and free speech,' Bizzarro said. Attorney Michael Berry from Philadelphia was also given this award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crumbl Cookie entering nearing opening on Peach Street
A well-known dessert shop is in the home stretch of moving into their new space in Summit Township. Crumbl is moving in at 6839 Peach Street. State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro named Advocate of the Year for anti-SLAPP law The owner and operator Mark Ornowski said all of their equipment arrived Tuesday with the next steps being the approval process, certificate and occupancy, and then hiring up to one hundred crew members. The owners own other locations in North Huntingdon, PA and Wheeling, West Virginia. Downtown official reflects on successful St. Patrick's Day weekend 'It's cool in a way that it's a very recognizable brand I think we have somebody come up to our door at least two or three times a day asking us are we open yet so it's a brand that's something that we wanted to bring to Erie,' Ornowski said. Ornowski said they are planning to open by early May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remarkable Women: Kiawa Martinez
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — March is Women's History Month and KFDX, KJTL and Texoma's Homepage are recognizing the contributions and the achievements of women who make a lasting impact in Texoma. Kiawa Martinez, who is on a mission to prevent domestic violence, starts our list of Remarkable Women in 2025. In a career that revolves around the darkness of abuse and trauma Martinez is a light that shines bright for those who need it most. 'I want to be a voice for those who are scared to have a voice or that they don't know that they can,' Martinez said. Martinez does that regularly as a community trainer for First Step. 'First Step is a nonprofit in Wichita Falls that helps anybody who's going through domestic violence and sexual assault,' Martinez said. 'We not only serve Wichita Falls, but we serve the 12 surrounding counties as well.' Since joining the nonprofit in May 2023, Martinez has worked tirelessly to promote safe and healthy relationships. 'We do community education, so we get into the schools and talk to the youth about healthy relationships,' Martinez said. 'We didn't have these conversations when I was in high school [or] middle school. I didn't know what a healthy relationship was and a lot of these kids, they need that.' First Step also works with those who hold offenders accountable. 'We talk with law enforcement, build relationships with law enforcement so that they know what to do when they come across a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault,' Martinez said. Martinez's deep understanding and compassion for the victims she serves are rooted in her own terrifying experience. 'When I was in college, I was sexually assaulted and I didn't know that I could have a voice. I had no idea that First Step was even there,' Martinez said. 'I had no guidance, I didn't know what to do. That gives me a lot of the motive to do what I do.' Her motivation has sparked big initiatives. In January 2024, Martinez spearheaded the Allred Battering Intervention and Prevention Program. It's a 24-week course providing services to violent offenders, which teaches the fundamentals of developing nonviolent and equal partnerships. It's accredited through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and offered to Allred inmates. It's the only program of its kind offered in Texas. 'These are the guys that have gone to prison for assaulting their partners, and there is a room full of men that could have multiple assault or family violence charges, or there are some that have murder charges because of what they've done. You still have to create a safe and comfortable space for them because it is a hard conversation,' Martinez said. Those hard conversations have garnered Martinez some Texas-sized attention. She was honored with the Advocate of the Year award by the Texas Council on Family Violence. TCFV Prevention Manager William West said her work to end violence in her community made her the standout choice. First Step is just one of many organizations Martinez dedicates her time to. She sits on the boards of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wichita County and the Wichita County Child Welfare Board. She's also a part of the Early Childhood Coalition and Child Abuse Prevention Group. Her fight for justice is a truly remarkable act, which makes her a Remarkable Woman. Due to the federal cuts and other circumstances, First Step is at risk of closing its doors for good. To help the organization continue its mission of helping victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault — along with furthering the community's education on the subject matter with its resources — click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
