The Erie County Youth Board is a citizen advisory panel. Board members are volunteers who advise the Youth Bureau on matters of positive youth development, delinquency prevention, and runaway and homeless youth. The Youth Bureau and Board work closely together to ensure that the best possible youth programs in Erie County are supported in their missions. Board members review and approve applications for state and county funding for services to youth. Together, they work with the Youth Bureau staff to make funding recommendations to the Erie County Executive and Legislature.
In order to ensure that the youth of Erie County are receiving the best programs available, board members attend meetings on the second Monday of the month. Board members are also encouraged to attend agency site visits. In addition to volunteers from the community, the Board is also made up of at least two youth volunteers from area schools. Furthermore, Liaisons to the Board are volunteers who attend Board meetings but who have no voting privileges. These members are selected for their experience and knowledge in youth matters and are a valuable resource to the Board.
For more information, or for anyone interested in becoming a member of the Erie County Youth Board, please send a letter of interest, current resume, and 2-3 references to Paul Kubala, Senior Youth Bureau Director, at paul.kubala@erie.gov.
Board Members
| Name | Occupation | Member Since |
|---|---|---|
| Liza Acanfora | Director, Regional Education Center for Economic Development at Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD | 2014 |
| Angelina Bolognese | Student at Nardin Academy | 2020 |
| Nichelle Brown | Senior Counselor at Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. | 2020 |
| LeShawn Davis | Youth Counselor at City of Buffalo, Division of Youth | 2023 |
| Jamien Eutsey | Youth Sports Management Program Director, Say Yes Buffalo | 2023 |
| Benjamin Fox | Student at Michigan State University | 2020 |
| Melissa Jones - MC-LP-Chair | Community-Based Supervisor at Hillside Children's Center | 2017 |
| Charity Lulas | Program Manager, Bridges to Health at Hillside Children's Center | 2017 |
| Susan Lumadue | Contract Monitor/HR Planner, Office of Contract Administration at City of Buffalo | 2012 |
| Maria Marinucci | Director of Operations for Housing Opportunities Made Equal | 2023 |
| Brian Rochford | Vice President, Relationship Manager at First Niagara Bank | 2015 |
| John Romanowski | Student at SUNY ESF | 2023 |
| David Smaczniak | Director of Operational Services, Frontier Central School District | 2022 |