The Erie County Department of Mental Health’s Service Link Stop (“SLS”), in a unique collaboration with GObike Buffalo, will be hosting an event this Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at SUNY ECC North Campus Lot #5 across from the Northeast Family YMCA. The SLS will be accepting gently used bikes as donations and will be offering light bike repair for bikes that guests bring along to keep. GObike Buffalo, a partner of the SLS since it opened in September 2020 and assisting in the event, helps the SLS provide an alternative mode of transportation (bicycles) for those who do not have a reliable way to get to work, school, to and from needed appointments as they take steps towards their goals. To date, twelve bikes (and locks) have been donated to individuals in the community through this partnership.

“Any bike donations received at this event will join the donations that GObike provides to the SLS monthly for participants who need transportation. If you are in the midst of spring cleaning, or got a new bike for yourself this spring, consider donating a lightly used one at this event to be upcycled back into the community,” said Commissioner of Mental Health Mark O’Brien. “There will be bike technicians on hand to help with light bike repair such as a flat tires, sticky chains and brake adjustments. This is the first bike donation event we have had and it is the hope that we will have more to come!”

The Service Link Stop is a judgement-free, “one stop shop” reentry hub available to anyone in the community who needs linkage to services and support to empower them to stabilize their community involvement and live a healthy, successful life.  A collaborative effort, the SLS partners with over sixty local agencies/programs in both on-site and on-call/referral capacities and provides individualized support with public assistance, SNAP and SSI/SSD applications, HIV, Hepatitis C and STI testing, mental health and substance use treatment, health insurance and medication support. There are a variety of other linkages available for employment, job training, housing support, legal assistance, food support, benefits, education, identification documents and many more.

The SLS is housed within the Erie County Department of Forensic Mental Health building at 120 West Eagle Street and is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  Call 716-858-1757 (1SLS) for more information.

# # #