Overview
The Office of Victim Services (OVS) provides a critical safety net for individuals who have expenses or losses resulting from a crime but have no resources to pay or offset them. The agency also funds a network of more than 200 victim assistance programs — including a dozen in Buffalo — that provide direct services to victims and survivors of crime.
OVS immediately responded to assist the Buffalo community after learning about the racially motivated murders and shootings at Tops. OVS connected with numerous victim assistance programs it funds in the community and worked with the Governor’s Office and other executive agencies, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and Office of Mental Health, on the State’s response to the mass casualty event. OVS helped coordinate the local response, assisted with filing claims, explained available resources, and worked directly with victim assistance programs (VAPs) on allowable uses of funding.
Projects
Buffalo United Resiliency Center - $2.5 million
The Resiliency Center operated by the Buffalo Urban League is receiving $2.5 million in State funding annually for two years (02/15/2023 – 02/14/2025). With those funds, the organization is providing services to the broader community impacted by the 5/14 incident, including the following:
- outreach and events to engage community members impacted by 5/14;
- financial support for emergency needs (food, transportation, clothes, etc.);
- wellness activities to support healing and mental wellbeing (restorative workshops, healing circles, trauma-informed yoga);
- community educational workshops (nutrition, financial literacy, etc.);
- intake services and referral to other community partners as appropriate;
- assistance with filing applications for benefits, including OVS Victim Compensation claims; and
- direct mental health counseling and emotional support services.
Staffing at the Resiliency Center includes a community director, a program coordinator, three case workers, a counselor/therapist, a fiscal assistant, and an administrative assistant.
News
Contact Us
Find additional information on the resources available through the Resiliency Center.
Individuals may access OVS Resource Connect to find other services available to victims and survivors of crime.