Press Releases

Today, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced $525,550 in federal funding for the Buffalo Rising Against Violence at ECMC (BRAVE) Trauma Recovery Center. This funding will expand comprehensive services and accessibility to support the needs of human trafficking survivors and increase community capacity to screen, identify, and appropriately refer survivors for services. This funding was made possible through the Office for Victims of Crimes, within the U.S. Department of Justice.  

“This vital funding will strengthen efforts to fight human trafficking and, most importantly, to provide critical support for survivors,” said Congressman Kennedy. “This grant will allow BRAVE to expand outreach and services and help victims rebuild their lives. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have in our district and I thank the leaders at ECMC and BRAVE for their dedicated work meeting the needs of people in our community and helping make individuals whole in the wake of horrific circumstances.” 

Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, ECMC President and CEO said, “We thank Congressman Kennedy for his longstanding support of ECMC, which has helped strengthen our caregivers’ ability to meet the healthcare needs of the residents of Western New York. This federal OVC grant will similarly enhance ECMC’s BRAVE TRC’s support of victims of human trafficking and help get them the services they need. As our region’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, the services provided through the BRAVE TRC provide hope and healing to these victims and their families.”

Paula Kovanic-Spiro, LMSW, MPH, Director of ECMC’s BRAVE Trauma Recovery Center said, “Survivors of human trafficking have experienced unimaginable trauma and deserve to have the resources and support necessary to rebuild their lives. This funding from the Department of Justice- Office of Victims of Crime will allow the BRAVE TRC the ability to expand services to support the needs of human trafficking survivors and increase community capacity to screen, identify, and appropriately refer survivors for vital services. We are incredibly grateful for Congressman Kennedy’s dedication to helping survivors and working toward a future where everyone can live without the fear of violence.”

Background:

This grant will support the increase of community collaboration and capacity regarding identification, services, and referral pathways for trafficking survivors, with data-driven decisions guiding outreach, training, and collaboration activities. For more information about the grant, click here.

Additional Information:

Launched in 2020, BRAVE is Western New York’s only hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP). Through BRAVE, ECMC focuses on the structural causes of violence and provides survivors the tools and connections to make lifestyle changes that prevent re-victimization or further perpetration of violence. BRAVE workers connect patients and families to culturally sensitive, comprehensive, and multifaceted interventions at ECMC and in the community.

To learn more about the services that BRAVE advocates provide for program participants, the BRAVE services that are provided free of charge by frontline staff, and more, click here.

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