The Foundation For WNY Catholic Schools is a newly founded (2019) 501c charity formed to provide financial assistance to the Catholic schools located in the eight counties of Western New York. These counties where catholic youth reside are in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming, and Orleans. The FWNYCS is an independent charity and is not associated with the Diocese of Buffalo.
Mission
The FWNYCS mission is to provide financial support for Catholic schools to maintain their viability, lighten the financial burden upon parishes that support schools, continue an affordable education for all who desire a faith-based educational experience, and to increase the salaries and benefits of Catholic school employees to encourage them to remain in service to our Catholic schools.
Vision
The vision of the FWNYCS is to generate an annual income for the Catholic schools instead of the historical pattern of raising funds exclusively through fundraisers and donations to support schools. Though the schools will always need the gifts and generosity of others, income for the FWNYCSwill be created through the acquisition of real property, businesses, investments, the creation of unique entrepreneurial endeavors, and other strategic partnerships. In the development of resource generating activities, the FWNYCS will give priority to those that contribute to educational, scientific, and charitable initiatives. The Foundation For WNY Catholic Schools is a newly founded (2019) 501c charity formed to provide financial assistance to the Catholic schools located in the eight counties of Western New York. These counties where catholic youth reside are in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming, and Orleans. The FWNYCS is an independent charity and is not associated with the Diocese of Buffalo.
It is not the intent of the FWNYCS to be in competition or interfere with the generous work and commitment that other WNY charitable organizations make annually in support of Catholic education. The FWNYCS will not conduct fundraisers. In partnership with community leaders throughout WNY, the FWNYCSwill implement a comprehensive business model based on a variety of needs for the community and the development of its youth.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors are all volunteers with backgrounds in education and specifically school management and strategic planning.
Dr. LaFever is the President of the FWNYCS and a retired Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Western New York in the Diocese of Buffalo. He proposed that the model of funding Catholic education could not sustain itself long-term. A system that depended on “tuition and the gifts of others” in his opinion would at some point exhaust itself. He felt that tuition had to remain reasonable so that any family regardless of their denomination or absence of one, could afford a faith-based education. Dr. LaFever was also concerned about “fundraising exhaustion”, meaning that year after year of fundraisers in Catholic schools would eventually become too much for people to keep contributing. In addition, the low salaries and benefits offered to the employees of the Catholic schools continually contributed to turnover resulting in instability. As a result of these concerns, Dr. LaFever suggested that a new approach to funding Catholic schools was needed and created the Foundation for WNY Catholic Schools.
John began his career as a Catholic Schoolteacher (Holy Trinity, Dunkirk, NY) before transitioning to Business at M&T, Goldome and Fleet Banks, serving as Vice President in their Consumer Banking/Operations/Residential Real Estate Divisions. As VP for Institutional Advancement at Trocaire College, (2000 – 2013), John served as the college’s Chief Advancement Officer, College Spokesperson, and as a member of the President’s Cabinet. John also served as a Relationship Manager for the Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo (2014-2016) and was a loaned executive to the Catholic Charities Corporate Annual Appeal.
As President of Vecchio & Associates, LLC his firm’s clients include: The North Park Italian Center Project, Ronald Mc Donald House of WNY, The Clarence Rotary Foundation, The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park and The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns. John is proud of his volunteer services in nonprofit agencies throughout WNY. Members of St. Benedicts Church, John and his wife Janice reside in East Amherst. Mr. Vecchio’s educational background includes: BS Education, SUNY Fredonia, 1974.
MBA, Canisius College, 1989. The Professional Development Leadership Program Certificate, Canisius, 2001.
Jeff Blair grew up in WNY and attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he played ice hockey as a goalie; graduating with a degree in Political Science. After two years trying his hand at professional hockey, Jeff attended law school; graduating from the University at Buffalo. Jeff has worked as an attorney for the last 15 years focusing on business law and doing a lot of work in the Not-For-Profit sector. Jeff currently is a Partner at the Blair Law Group. Jeff is married to Myroslava Blair and they are the proud parents to a baby girl, Nadiya.
Kevin Brayer has a long career committed to and an advocate for Catholic Education.
Retiring in May of 2017, from St. Bonaventure University as the Executive Director of the St. Bonaventure Buffalo Center where he served as the Chief Operations Officer for 17 years. He was responsible for overseeing all the day-to-day operations and delivery of graduate programs in Business, Education, and Integrated Marketing at the Buffalo Center. During his years in administration, he also taught marketing-related courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs at both campuses.
He has been a member of the St. Louis Church Parish family for over 30 years. During those years his service to the parish his involvement includes Sacristan, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, a reader at Lessons and Carols, and a member of the Parish Council. In June 2019, he was elected President of the St. Louis Parish Council.
George Chernowski served as a full-time professor of English for Trocaire College in Buffalo, N.Y. for twenty years. He continues in this role as an adjunct professor. In 2015 he was named the Trocaire Adjunct Faculty Member of the year. He also was the Director of the Insurance Studies Program for the college. Prior to his experience in higher education Mr. Chernowksi taught high school English for Falconer Central School in Falconer, N.Y. and for the West Seneca Central Schools in West Seneca, N.Y.
In addition to being an educator, Mr. Chernowski was a business owner, serving as the President and Owner of the Coppola Insurance Agency until 2012 in West Seneca, N.Y.
Mr. Chernowski holds a B.A. degree in English from Canisius College and a M.A. degree in English education from S.U.N.Y. Fredonia. He also earned many graduate credits in English studies from the University at Buffalo.
Erica Aikin holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science in Administration & Supervision. Ms. Aikin has served in Catholic education for 23 years. She recently held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction for the Diocese of Buffalo. Currently, Ms. Aikin works in the Education Department for the U.S. Veteran’s Benefits Association where she continues to support the educational development of our veterans.
Ms. Aikin is the mother of three young adults all of whom attended school in Catholic elementary schools.
Ella recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canisius University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication. She now assists with the marketing efforts of the FWNYCS. Ella attended Catholic schools her whole life and she recognizes their importance in shaping not only children’s education, but their lives too.
Missy Lindner holds a bachelor’s in liberal studies as well as a Master of Science in Education, master’s in public administration and a certificate in Educational Administration. She currently holds professional certification as a social studies teacher and a school district leader. She has been a principal in the Catholic schools within the Diocese of Buffalo. She is currently a Professional Development Specialist at Orleans/Niagara BOCES. She is a product of Catholic Education, and her oldest daughter currently attends a school within our Diocese.
