Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) recently attended Fantastic Friends of WNY, Inc.’s end of summer party at the South Line Fire Department and announced she had secured $10,000 for the nonprofit organization. The funding supports Fantastic Friends’ programs for individuals with disabilities, including the event on Saturday. Since its founding in 2017, Fantastic Friends has provided a variety of weekly programs and special events for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as cooking classes and its annual Rock the Runway fashion show.

“I’m so proud to support Fantastic Friends and the amazing work they do. Their programs allow kids with disabilities to make friends, have fun, and learn valuable life skills, while giving families an opportunity to have some respite and develop support networks,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “I deeply appreciate all the important work done by Debbie Cordone and her team, and I’m pleased to once again deliver resources for this wonderful organization.”

“The $10,000 grant secured by Assemblymember Monica Wallace allows Fantastic Friends of WNY to bring the neurotypical and special needs communities together,” said Debbie Cordone, President of Fantastic Friends. “This helps us to create the acceptance and understanding of special needs individuals, which is a large part of our mission. We are grateful that Asssemblymember Wallace recognizes the importance of our mission and for her support of Fantastic Friends of WNY and the special needs community.”

Since taking office, Assemblymember Wallace has secured $35,000 for Fantastic Friends of WNY, Inc. She has also secured funding for Danceability, Inc. to provide programs for kids with disabilities, passed legislation to authorize The Arc of Erie County to receive state resources, and fiercely advocated for funding parity for special education schools. In addition, she helped pass greater state investments into direct support professionals and home care workers who care for people with disabilities and advocated for the state Department of Transportation to approve road signs to protect children with autism.