COVID-19 Resources & Information

Free Legal Helpline for Western New Yorkers During Covid-19

 

The Center for Elder Law & Justice is expanding its Free Legal Helpline for Western New Yorkers who are struggling with legal questions during this unique time. Individuals who are caring for sick family members, dealing with personal illness, recently unemployed, or have other questions can call and speak directly with an attorney for brief counsel.

We have expanded this service to help people of all ages, and are now able to return voicemails and emails from callers. Simply leave a message or send an e-mail with your name and number, and a licensed attorney will respond within 1 business day.

Call 1-844-481-0973 at any time and leave a message, or reach someone directly between 9am – 11am.

E-mail helpline@elderjusticeny.org with your name and phone number.

A licensed attorney will respond to you within 1 business day.

 

 

Code-19 Shelters open 4/5 & 4/6 around the clock in Buffalo & East Aurora:

The following shelters are currently open 24 hours:

ECC Flickenger Athletic Center, 21 Oak Street, Buffalo
Rural Outreach Center, 765 Olean Road, East Aurora
Both locations are open during the day today 4/5, overnight tonight, and will remain open tomorrow 4/6 as daytime centers.

Code Blue shelters at Holy Cross and the Belle Center are closed and will remain closed. Harbor House will also remain closed while the Code 19 Shelter at ECC is open.

If you encounter individuals on the street or in need of a place to stay please direct them to our Shelters. Let the person know that the NFTA has waived fares so they are ride the bus to the shelter for free. Code Blue staff will no longer be stationed at the NFTA bus station.

To receive Code Blue-19 updates for the City of Buffalo, text CodeBlueBuffalo to 898-211. This notification is available to anyone including clients.

Outside of the City of Buffalo
Rural Outreach Center provides Code-19 Shelter

Rural Outreach Center (ROC) is located at 765 Olean Road, East Aurora.  Service area is Southern Erie County, specifically the towns of West Seneca, Alden, Elma, Marilla, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Evans, Eden, Concord, Boston, Colden, Holland, Brant, Angola, Gowanda, North Collins, Sardinia, Collins, and Springville. 

Individuals in need of shelter for Southern Erie County can call 716-240-2220 x106.  ROC has an outreach van that will be dispatched to pick up homeless individuals in these areas and bring them to shelter.

To receive Code Blue-19 updates for the Southern Erie County, text CodeBlueSouthernErie to 898-211. This notification is available to anyone including clients.

Thank you for your support of Code Blue!

http://www.wnycoalitionforthehomeless.org/
http://www.facebook.com/WNYCoalitionForTheHomeless
https://twitter.com/WNYCftH

Utilities:

Regional Consumer Advocate with National Grid:

Miguel Santos

144 Kensington Ave.

Buffalo, N.Y. 14214

716.831.7312

National Grid Consumer Advocates are partnering with 211 to assist those individuals who are struggling to handle what is going on.

We are currently developing this partnership.

Cyber Security: 

Virtual environments are crucial for telework and online education, but they allow cybercriminals to steal sensitive info, target individuals and businesses performing financial transactions, and engage in extortion. Learn how to protect yourself at:

https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/cyber-actors-take-advantage-of-covid-19-pandemic-to-exploit-increased-use-of-virtual-environments.

 

Plus ...

  Do you wonder what it's really like to train like an FBI special agent? The #FBI recently hosted YouTuber Michelle Khare at the FBI Academy for an episode of "Challenge Accepted." Learn more about new agent training, and see if you have what it takes to join us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfbU-1hpnP8

If you Suspect Abuse, TAKE ACTION!

More than 1,500 cases of elder abuse are reported each year in Erie County. Many more cases are never reported.

If you suspect abuse and would like legal assistance, please contact:

Center for Elder Law & Justice:

716-853-3087

For immediate assistance 24 hours a day, please contact:

Crisis Services Hotline at:

716-834-3131

If you suspect someone is being abused, please contact:

Erie County Protective Services for Adults: 

716-858-6877

For general information on programs or referrals, please contact:

Erie County Department of Senior Services / NY Connects: 

716-858-8526

            In an emergency, call 911

For Elder Shelter screening tool, please visit the Elder Shelter Page located under the "Elder Shelter" tab at the top of your screen