Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined today by Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women (“ECCSW”) Karen King, Board members and staff from the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology, members of the Family Justice Center, and student volunteers to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of domestic violence and also recognize the students’ participation in the “Plant-a-Thon” held at the Domestic Violence Tribute Garden in late September. The Plant-a-Thon event brought student groups and community partners together to work under the supervision of Master Gardeners from the Cornell Cooperative Extension to plant hundreds of new flowers and plants in designated beds at the Tribute Garden’s Isle View Park site.

“The work that was done by these students not only helped to beautify the Tribute Garden but also fostered greater community engagement, especially with young people, who are learning more about healthy relationships while spreading the anti-domestic violence message,” said Poloncarz. “We will continue to speak loudly and stridently against domestic violence in Erie County and everywhere, and we welcome these partners to the cause.”

Poloncarz distributed signed certificates of appreciation to all participating students in attendance at the event at the Buffalo Center for the Arts and Technology. Students and community groups that participated in Plant-A-Thon 2016 include the Girl Scouts of WNY Williamsville Troop #30803, the Buffalo Center for the Arts and Technology, Access WNY, ZONTA, Town of Tonawanda Youth, Parks & Recreation, Williamsville South, Mount. St. Mary, the University at Buffalo Gender Institute, the Family Justice Center, the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners, and many individual community volunteers.

ECCSW Executive Director Karen King added, “The Plant-a-Thon helped immensely in raising awareness about domestic violence and brought new energy to our efforts. The student-based service learning component of the event is part of the County Executive’s Initiatives for a Stronger Community and Erie County and the CSW, in collaboration with community members, are developing a series of programs entitled Healthy Families and Healthy Relationships that will focus on developing healthy relationships and eliminating interpersonal violence and teen dating violence.”

For more information:

On the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, visit http://www2.erie.gov/csw/