KeyBank and First Niagara Foundation Help People With Developmental Disabilities Maintain Routine During Pandemic

KeyBank, in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, recently provided Fantastic Friends of WNY with a $15,000 grant to help establish a Virtual Learning Assistance Program.

Fantastic Friends is a non-profit, volunteer driven social organization for individuals of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This grant enabled Fantastic Friends to continue its learning program in a virtual setting during the pandemic, maintain a routine and socialization for participants while also allowing their parents to continue working. This four day a week program goes beyond the classroom in that while participants are not in a virtual class or working on assignments, they participate in art, DrumFit (fitness), life skills, culinary and various activities.

“Providing this grant to Fantastic Friends allows children and adults with developmental disabilities to continue to lead normal lives during the pandemic,” said Elizabeth Gurney, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at KeyBank and Executive Director of the First Niagara Foundation. “We are proud to support this organization which does so much for the children, adults and families they serve.”

“The ability to continue the Virtual Learning Assistance Program was crucial to the educational, social and emotional well-being of those we serve and their families. We are grateful to KeyBank and the First Niagara Foundation." - Debbie Cordone, President of Fantastic Friends of WNY