New mothers’ aid program celebrates 6 months of assistance in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A pilot program designed to help new mothers make ends meet is celebrating six months of assistance in Buffalo.

Through the program, low-income mothers receive a monthly cash grant to “support healthy development, prevent adverse childhood experiences and break intergenerational cycles of poverty.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, new mothers and program leaders hope it will continue for years to come.

Bryana Leonard said when she found out she was pregnant, she had no idea how she was going to care for a baby.

“I was terrified. I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Leonard says.

Leonard said she was going to school, working full time and living with her parents because she couldn’t pay the rent.

She is one of 50 low-income mothers selected for the pilot program. She said that thanks to the extra income, she now has her own home.

“I receive over $1,000 a month. It has been essential in creating a safe and happy home for the three of us,” she explained.

“We believe in a future where all babies are safe, and direct financial assistance is a critical step,” said Stephanie Silkowski, director of policy and strategic initiatives for The Bridge Project.

Silkowski said funding for the project comes primarily from the Monarch Foundation.

“This is a foundation that is explicitly focused on early childhood and baby outcomes,” she said.

According to Silkowski, 50 Buffalo moms were selected for the program from 300 applicants.

“Philanthropic efforts have their limits, which is why we are excited to continue to grow in partnership with the city, states and federal government to combine public and private funding,” Silkowski said.

She said there are 1,300 mothers in New York state enrolled in the Bridge Project.

Mayor Brown said he hopes the program will continue in Buffalo and help more mothers meet basic needs.

A bill is currently before the House that would extend a similar program to New York State. For more information, click here.

For more information about the Bridge Project, click here.