WNY Compassion Connection

10/15/2026

💗🩵 October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. 🦋

Today, we honor the little lives that left a lifetime of love.

For the parents who never got to bring their babies home, those who had to say goodbye far too soon, and the families who carry a lifetime of love for someone they only knew for a short time, we remember with you. 💗

Pregnancy and infant loss is a grief that is often experienced in silence, but no family should feel alone in their loss. Every baby has a story, every loss deserves acknowledgment, and every family's grief matters.

In 2027, WNY Compassion Connection aims to start a Perinatal Loss peer support group. We believe that love and grief have no timeline and that a life does not have to be long to leave a lasting impact.

Today and every day, we remember the babies who are deeply loved, forever missed, and always part of their families' stories. 🦋💙

10/14/2026

Happy 39th Heavenly Birthday to Alex Wozniak, a pediatric cancer warrior and beloved son of Karen and Mark Wozniak. 💙🦋

✨ Alex’s legacy continues to shine through his mom, Karen, who is an invaluable member of our P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative and WNY Compassion Connection family.

💙 Karen dedicates so much of her time to supporting others who are grieving, facilitating our Cups of Comfort Bereaved Moms Group, Adult Child Loss Group, and Family Group. Through her kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication, she creates a space where others feel seen, heard, and supported.

Beyond the families she serves, Karen is someone our entire team can always count on. She looks out for each of us, offers support when we need it most, and brings so much heart to everything she does. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our team. 💙

Alex also holds a special place within the walls of WNY Compassion Connection.

In our Pathfinders Room, a space for children ages 8–12, you'll find Alex’s LEGO Station, created in his honor and inspired by his love of LEGOs. It is a meaningful way for Alex's memory to live on, bringing creativity, connection, and moments of joy to the children who visit our center. 💙

🦋 Today, on what would be Alex's 39th birthday, we honor his life, the love his family carries for him, and the lasting impact he continues to have on our community.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Alex. Your light continues to shine through the lives your mom touches every day. 💙🦋✨

10/12/2026

💙 WNY Compassion Connection is proud to welcome Dr. David Schonfeld, a nationally recognized expert in school crisis response and childhood bereavement, to Buffalo for a special educator training!

Dr. Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, is the Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a leading expert in supporting children and school communities following a crisis or loss.

This training will provide educators and school professionals with practical strategies to:

📚 Recognize common difficulties in students following a crisis
🩵 Promote healthy coping strategies
🎒 Provide appropriate academic accommodations
👩‍⚕️ Support their own well-being through professional self-care

This session is designed for school administrators, counselors, social workers, and school crisis response teams.

Thanks to our partnership with Erie County, this training is offered at NO COST to attendees!

📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
🕗 8:00–11:00 AM
📍 King Urban Life Center
938 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14211

🔗 Registration is required! Secure your spot here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050948AEAC2CA2FC1-65880468-supporting

📩 Questions? Contact Katerina Schlabig, Manager of Operations & School Services, at [email protected] or (716) 713-3587.

10/12/2026

Molly’s Room at WNY Compassion Connection is a beautiful space of sharing, healing, hope and sometimes, even laughter. 🫶🏻 On her 24th birthday and every day, we honor her light and we remember her. 💛✨

10/09/2026

💙 Join us for a night of gentle movement, reflection, and self-compassion at our 3rd Grief Yoga & Journaling night, hosted by Tricia Hanlon Applegate! 🧘‍♀️

Grief Yoga & Journaling is a space to slow down, connect with yourself, and process grief in a supportive environment. We’ll begin with gentle yoga from 6–7 PM, followed by guided journaling from 7–8 PM.

📅 Wednesday, October 21st
🧘 Yoga: 6–7 PM
📖 Journaling: 7–8 PM
Please bring your own yoga mat and journal.
➡️ RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050948AEAC2CA2FC1-66583419-october

Questions? Reach out to Kayla at [email protected].

10/07/2026

Yesterday, we brought one of our Grief Lockers to another school. 💙📚

As one of our School Offerings at WNYCC, we offer Grief Lockers to schools as a visible reminder that grieving students and staff are not alone. 🫂

Placed in a common area of the school, each Grief Locker includes a retractable banner with words of support, along with note cards where students and staff can write messages for someone in their school community who is grieving.

But Grief Lockers are just one way we support schools. 💙

Our school-based services also include:

📚 Grief literacy training for staff
🫂 7-week peer support groups for grieving students
📝 Classroom presentations
🎒 School resource bags
📖 Book recommendations
🤝 Support for administrators in developing bereavement best practices

➡️ To learn more about bringing grief support to your school, contact Katerina Crowe, Manager of Operations and School Services, at [email protected]. 💙

10/05/2026

💙🎡 Adrian’s Midway Magic at P.U.N.T.’s Heart of Gold Family Fest! 🎡💙

Adrian’s Midway Magic, generously presented by Northtown Automotive Companies, was a special addition to P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative’s Heart of Gold Family Fest that took place at Buffalo RiverWorks. The event celebrated the life and legacy of Adrian Gomez, son of Mario Gomez and Diane Sojka. 🦋

Adrian loved fairs, the outdoors, animals, and anything that brought a smile to someone’s face.

Adrian’s mom, Diane, is a valued volunteer with WNY Compassion Connection, giving her time and heart to support other families navigating grief. It’s incredibly meaningful to see Adrian’s legacy continue through the community she helps build for others. 💙

We’re grateful to PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative., Diane, and everyone who helped make Adrian’s Midway Magic such a beautiful celebration of his life. 🎡🦋💙

10/04/2026

Soaring Spirits International is heading to Buffalo this Saturday for Camp Widow. ✨

10/04/2026

Honored for the selfless and passionate hearts on our roster at PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative and WNY Compassion Connection. 💛✨💙

The Western New York Compassion Connection opened in April 2025. The community resource provides peer support and grief education, with the principle that grief is something we will all experience.

10/04/2026

Knox Field at WNY Compassion Connection. May it serve as a longstanding reminder that even through loss, love never leaves the field. ♾️❤️‍🩹