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“Telehealth commutes to NYC during the week from a cabin in the woods. I’ve been using this time to run, create, learn and listen. Working in mental health with justice impacted clients forces you to create a delicate balance and prevent burnout. Striving to keep my head above water just as much as the next person.”
Lulu, (Buffalo via) New York, NY
5/6/2020 5:27pm
Alone, Together. Buffalonians nationwide.
Former collaborator and old friend Joshua Cozzo is one of those folks just inclined to help. Sees a situation, looks at what he can offer to make it better, and pushes go. In this COVID moment, mental health struggles came to mind. It’s not easy to be lonely and add the anxiety of a global pandemic to those feelings. With Together Buffalo, he’s created a platform for people to share and discuss their experiences in a few words, a few photos, a few short videos, void of the political and economic nonsense that overwhelms Facebook. It’s about more than sharing your own experience, but also feeling together and in solidarity with others like you, and fundraising: For every submission received, Together Buffalo will donate $2 to The Mental Health Advocates of Western New York.
I’ll catch it when it peaks.
Kate, (Buffalo via) Rochester, NY
5/3/2020 4:46pm
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“Hello there. My name is Joshua Cozzo. I am an educator and photographer, originally from Buffalo, but now based in New York City. During these trying times and a strict self-quarantine, I worked with my students on creating a visual project that allowed them to connect with one another while feeling isolated and separate from their school community. I wanted to bring this project to a larger audience and to something near and dear to me which is home, Buffalo. Being cooped up in a 700 square foot apartment near the epicenter of the pandemic has made me miss Buffalo and feel disconnected from the place where my family and many of my friends are. The idea behind this project is to promote togetherness and mental health through visuals. It’s important to realize that even though this period of time can be stressful and make us feel lonely, we are doing this together with everyone else. We will get through together.”
Finding a balance.
“Our dining room table has been converted to my temporary office. Trying to balance both my professional responsibilities and be a stay at home dad has been no easy task. It most certainly has its peaks and valleys. My motto has always been since the beginning of this pandemic is “we will get through this together”.”
Dave, Kenmore, NY
5/1/2020 1:33pm
“I ask participants, in this case, anyone that calls or has called Buffalo home, to submit a photo or video of their quarantine life. It could be the smallest detail like a new routine or hobby or just a way to express their feelings during this time. Submissions are tagged with a location, date, and time as well. The visuals are then posted onto a blog at www.togetherbuffalo.com as well as our Instagram @TogetherBuffalo using the hashtag #togetherbuffalo to be featured. By collecting a wide variety of samples, I’m hoping people can see that we are all in the same boat together during this crisis and it’s ok to be nervous, worried, scared, or depressed, but to all frame our experience not as alone, but as together. Hence Together Buffalo. Bringing our community together even in isolation. I’m also partnering with the Mental Health Associates of Western New York and hope to get people to donate to an organization that is so important during this time.”
Lost in a book.
“Reading has been my favorite way to pass the time. There have been ups and downs, but getting lost in a good book settles my mind.”
Bridget, Buffalo, NY
5/7/2020 11:37am
“May is also Mental Health Awareness Month so it’s crucial to get the word out. I’m hoping you’ll all be able to participate with your own submission and spread the word to others to join in on the project as well. Thanks for coming together and helping out!”
Backyard biologist.
“Although I live in New York, I’ve been fortunate to spend the quarentine with an old friend in Cape Coral, Florida. With my time, I’ve found myself turning into an amateur backyard biologist. I’m regularly visited by assorted reptiles such as this brown anole, and I even saw a manatee the other day (which I assumed was a sea monster for approximately 3 seconds).”
Mark, (Buffalo via) The Bronx, NY
5/1/2020 6:55pm
