named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Candles In The S.U.N. Youth Football Camp
Annual free football camp for youth, featuring instruction from past professionals and current collegiate athletes
Heroes Kitchen
Youth culinary training program in collaboration with Delaware North and Snob Sweets, offering eight weeks of hands-on cooking experience in a professional kitchen
Heroes Mask The City
Public health initiative distributing over 1,000 medical masks and gloves to local residents
Holidays With The Heroes
Annual holiday initiative providing meals and gifts to Buffalo Public School families and distribution at community locations
Kyle's Gift From Heaven Collaboration
Partnership providing Christmas gifts and activities for youth who have lost a parent
Neighborhood Cleanings
Community beautification effort, including cleanups along Genesee Street in honor of Juneteenth
S.U.N. Day Fun Day With The Heroes
Community event offering free backpacks, school supplies, food, haircuts, and carnival activities
S.U.N. Youth Development Basketball League
Free weekly youth basketball league focused on skill development, life skills, and positive mentorship
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
- Holiday wish fulfillment and family experiencesCollaborates with local partners and school programs to fulfill dream wishlists for underprivileged youth annually, including Christmas gifts for youth who have lost parents, and organizes holiday experiences for students and families in need.
- Seasonal and holiday meal and essentials distributionDistributes free hot meals and essential supplies during holidays through multiple annual events, including Thanksgiving (over 2,000 meals), Christmas (over 250 delivered meals), Black History Month (over 300 soul food dinners), and winter storms (coats, boots, gloves). Operates five Thanksgiving meal sites annually and provides cold-weather gear via a Black Tie Fundraiser.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community beautification and neighborhood engagementConducts neighborhood cleanup events and community fun days, including Juneteenth observances along the Genesee strip and a free event offering backpacks, food, haircuts, hairstyling, and carnival activities for local youth.
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Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Community care kit and hygiene item distributionRegularly distributes care kits containing dental hygiene supplies, masks, gloves, winter protection items, and S.U.N. Bags with food staples to underprivileged families and residents in need, particularly during outreach events and public health crises.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Youth culinary and food security programmingOperates an 8-week culinary program for youth in Key Bank Center's commercial kitchen and distributes fresh produce and meals to address food insecurity, including over 2,700 pieces of fresh produce during the youth program and regular food giveaways featuring collard greens, carrots, apples, rice, pasta, and bread.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Youth healing circles and peer mentoringHosts monthly community healing circles and 18-week peer mentoring programs for youth of all ages, fostering safe spaces for expression, personal development, and improved social skills. These initiatives include school-based Hero Healing Circles that have expanded services to more families.
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Youth Soccer Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth sports and summer enrichment programmingProvides free developmental youth sports programming, including weekly football sessions, basketball, and annual camps featuring instruction from former professionals. Hosts recurring summer events such as Stop & Shop: Summer Edition, 7/16 Neighborhood Takeover, NYS Fair Family Trip, and back-to-school drives.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$58K
Contributions & grants$58K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$22K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$64K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$42K
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +121.9%
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Buffalo Limousine Partner — Local partner collaborating to provide holiday experiences for families in need.
- Buffalo Limousine Partner — Partner organization collaborating to deliver holiday experiences for students and families in need.
- Delaware North Partner — Collaborates on the Jr Hero Chefs culinary program for youth.
- FitDreamz Activewear Partner — Collaborated to distribute meals, dental hygiene kits, toys, treats, and gift cards.
- Forever Hungry Partner — Collaborated to distribute meals, dental hygiene kits, toys, treats, and gift cards.
- Kyle's Gift From Heaven Partner — Collaborated to provide Christmas gifts and activities for youth with deceased parents.
- Moxham family Partner — Collaborated to distribute more than 200 S.U.N. Bags containing fresh food and staples.
- National Fuel Partner — Provided 300 winter protection kits for distribution with meals.
- Oakk Haus Partner — Local partner collaborating to provide holiday experiences for families in need.
- Senek Farms Partner — Partnered to supply fresh produce for S.U.N. Bags distributed to local residents.
- Snob Sweets Partner — Collaborates on the Jr Hero Chefs culinary program for youth.
- Sportsplex Partner — Hosts free developmental youth football sessions at its facility.
- Stop & Shop Partner — Partner organization involved in community support efforts, including holiday programs.
- Stop and Shop Partner — Partnered with CITS Foundation for meal and energy saving kit distribution.
- StreeTGame Partner — Local partner collaborating to provide holiday experiences for families in need.
- StreeTgame Partner — Partner organization collaborating to deliver holiday experiences for students and families in need.
- The Buffalo History Museum Partner — Local partner collaborating to provide holiday experiences for families in need.
- Vice News Partner — Featured coverage of Hero Healing Circles on Vice News.
- local businesses Partner — Collaborates with local businesses during holiday outreach efforts.
- partners Partner — Works with partners to deliver holiday support to community members.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Expansion and Gift Fulfillment 597 orgsmethodology: community-partner_expansionBy partnering with local organizations and fulfilling individualized wishlists, we expand services and deepen impact because community-led identification of needs ensures relevance, dignity, and sustainable engagement.shared approach: Community-Led Systems Change →
- Experiential Education for Youth Empowerment 597 orgsmethodology: experiential culinary educationBy providing hands-on culinary and athletic programming, we build practical skills and self-efficacy in youth because real-world experience in structured, supportive environments drives engagement and long-term development.shared approach: Community-Led Systems Change →
- Community-Centered Healing and Peer Support 51 orgsmethodology: present-centered peer supportBy using trained community members to host healing circles that emphasize presence and mutual recognition, we foster resilience and connection because feeling seen and heard is foundational to emotional well-being and collective recovery.shared approach: Community-Based Healing →
- Integrated Emergency Response Modelmethodology: integrated-health-responseBy distributing essential supplies like meals, masks, and hygiene kits during crises through adapted, safe methods, we meet urgent needs and build trust because integrated, context-sensitive responses increase reach and community resilience.
- Youth Development through Integrated Supportmethodology: integrated youth developmentBy combining mentorship, life skills development, and basic needs support like food security, we holistically advance youth in underserved communities because sustained personal growth requires both relational and material stability.