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I was honored to be a guest at the Dunkirk High School Unified basketball game weeks ago. My students from my karate dojo, The Family Martial Arts Center, asked if I would attend their game? I was honored and so very impressed with their individual sportsmanship and support for one another. I have attended a few of the games. On behalf of Cope Foundation19 and The Family Martial Arts Center, we donated a gift package for each of the athlete's. I was asked to speak during intermission and award each athlete their gift.
The love and compassion I witnessed from the staff/coaches is beyond normal. These coaches went way beyond and made sure these children had an opportunity to play a sport equal to any other athlete. These kids played by the exact rules as anyone else. But the kicker is that no matter what team they are on, they assisted their sport mates to obtain success and a basket. They are all winners.
I encourage everyone to attend a game in the future. It is an experience you will never recieve unless you participate.
In the photo are: Ahmad Mohamad, Bill Matteson(Executive Director of Cope Foundation 19), Izael, Jill Domenico(one of 3 coaches) and the amazing team.

It has come to the end of our 2 month collection of shoes, sneakers, boots, sandles or any pair of gently worn footwear. If youm have a pair you would like to donate, please reach out to either one of our members, myself @ 716-680-1121 or Amy at aspagg65@gmail.com.

A special Thank you to ERC International, Chautauqua Fitness, and Cummins Engine of Jamestown for their diligent efforts to collect so many shoes, sandles, boots and sneakers.

COPE FOUNDATION 19 is participating in a county fund drive. Our hope is to collect funds to help support the children within our foundation. As little as forwarding our link will be so appreciated.

https://www.givebigchq.org/organizations/cope-foundation-19

The Cope Foundation 19 and the Chautauqua County Mental Hygiene Department are hosting an informational event OPEN to the public. There are speakers from the National Alliance of suicide prevention, Dunkirk Police Officer Gomez, Cope Foundation 19 Executive Director. Refreshments and karate demonstrations will be presented.
Physical fitness is a major stress relief and will help a person's focus and confidence.

WALMART Fredonia
April 16th - 11:00am til 4:00pm
All proceeds go directly to the children of the Cope Foundation 19. Stop by and volunteer and donate.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jennifer H. who won the 50/50 drawing today.

March 29 & 30, 2023
Kristy and I attended and Narcan training seminar at Cumming Engine of Lakewood, NY. Then we hosted a COPE Foundation 19 presentation for the employees. It was amazing the knowledge you recieve when you listen closely. Narcan is essential currently with the high rate of fentanyl in the area.
Thank you Jennifer Lundmark for keeping us involvesd with the employees in your plant

The Symposium event held at Brocton Schools. The 9 hour gathering involved several educational lectures, awareness of the country's opioid pandemic and other knowledgable tools.

I held a very successful presentation for the Fredonia Middle School SADD ( students against destructive decisions). The impact was not only emotional, but I received much gratitude. Children were seen with tears. The message was real. The problem is real.
I am very grateful for Fredonia school to believe in my purpose, but to allow me to share with their students. This is the start to a county wide program.
Without the support from our County executive, PJ Wendell, Steve Kilburn of the county Mental Hygiene dept, Sheriff Quattrone, Dunkirk Mayor Wille Rosas, Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek, State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, and the hard work from the Cope board members, this opportunity would never have occured. A special mention to Cummins Engine, ECR International, Tim Hortons, Harvest Chapel Church and The Family Martial Arts Center. This community is a generous community.
If you would like to sponsor and support a Cope child, please view www.copefoundation19.com and click the "contribution" section.

Please support the Cope Foundation 19 by donating to our fundraiser. You may scan the QR code or simple click the link, https://gofund.me/149aebef.

All are welcome. Mark your calendar. Learn about the opioid affects and the impact on our youth.
FREE event

I had an incredible experience and enjoyable luncheon at the Clarion Hotel. In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I wish to thank everyone who worked so
hard and diligently to host this event. A special thanks to my guest, Shanon Clinkscales.

LILAC, " Life Includes Losing A Child".
(Created by Cope president, Amy Spagg)
After the overdose death of my 24-year-old son, Zachary, in 2019, people would say to me, “I can’t imagine what you are going through.” They were right. No one understands a parent’s broken heart except another grieving parent.
There have been so many times I felt completely alone in my grief. Friends and family have been very supportive, but very few actually “get it”.
LILAC is my way to support other parents as they navigate grief. Whether it is through a phone call, text, letter or a meeting over coffee, I get it! No bereaved parent should ever feel alone.

Welcome our GOLD sponsor, ECR International, to the C.O.P.E. Foundation 19 family.
A community Family owned business who cares.

The Cope Foundation 19 is seeking financial support. Our client base has grown and there is much more need in the community to serve.
If you can help, please click the contributing section and follow the prompts. You are greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much, HOME DEPOT for donating a Troy Bilt snow blower for our raffle ticket event. We raised $1,430 for the ticket sales.
The winner is Georgene Steffan of Fredonia. CONGRATULATIONS!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the memorial garden.
In the photo L-R:
Steve Kilburn (Mental Hygiene), Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, William Matteson (Executive director of Cope Foundation19), County Executive PJ Wendel, Fredonia Village Mayor Doug Essek.

Mrs. Kristine and Mr. William Matteson

RIBBON CUTTING ceremony.
October 7, 2022 @ noon. Please join our County Executive Wendel and other county officials while we introduce the C.O.P.E. Foundation 19 memory garden.
25 Church St. Fredonia, NY. 14063
Public welcome...
You may sponsor a name plate for a loved one by contacting Bill at 716-680-1121.
If you have a financial hardship and cannot afford the name plate, you may apply for a scholarship.

FACTS about the C.O.P.E. Foundation 19 and the effects of opioid abuse.

All are welcome. This activity is for children and Families. Refreshments will be provided. Simply just show up or contact me to get more information.

The events are hosted at HARVEST CHAPEL FREE METHODIST CHURCH 39 Matteson Street Fredonia, NY. 14063

Are you having trouble coping with a loss in your life? Are you the caregiver of a child who has lost a parent due to addiction – either by Abandonment, Incarceration or Death – and feeling lost in how to help them through their loss? There are 11 basic Schema’s or Lifetraps that are retriggered in our own lives, and which are created due to the trauma’s incurred in children of parents who were lost to addiction. As adults, we can learn how to help ourselves and the children we care for, by better understanding the feelings and behaviors associated with these Lifetraps and stop them from becoming a problem throughout life. This group is designed to give you the skills and understanding to cope with the Lifetraps that have been triggered in you, to allow you to have more patience with yourself and the children you care for, to help the children overcome the Lifetraps that have been created by their loss, and to stop you from being overwhelmed with the aftermath that the devastating disease of addiction has on families. Parents who have lost their children or a loved one to addiction and Caregivers of children who have lost their parents to addiction are all welcome. Ross J. Vallone is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider with over 30 years of experience in working with those in addiction.

If you would like to sell items at our event, contact Kristy at 716-410-5723 or Lynda at 716-785-2006.
All we ask is for a donation after the event for the Cope Foundation 19.

COME VISIT OUR YARD FILLED WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ITEMS.

The Cope Foundation 19 spaghetti dinner fundraiser was a success! We raised over $3,000. We would like to thank the Brocton American Legion - Post 434 and the community for making this a event a success.

For all of the Cope Foundation members and their families, Cope clients and sponsors, we welcome you to join us for the celebration of the new year. Simply contact the Executive Director, William Matteson and notify me. We will have music, food and games.

A very special Thank you goes to the following vendors:
Rare finds (Joy Mott), Customized Labware (Matt Benware), Discovery toys (JoAnn Catalano), Chalk Couture (Lisa Matteson), Inception 3D (Jennifer), Angelica Lynn Photography (Angelica Aponte), Bett’s Candle melts (Betty Szukala), Back to your roots farm (Nathan Carpenter), BNL CREATIONS (Brittany Lombardo).
A special thanks goes out to 2 of the most important women who made this all happen so smoothly. Kristy Gehling and Lynda Karlstrom. Cope’s fundraiser committee.

I wish to thank all who participated in our 1st annual memory walk to remember. The weather was incredible. We had a great turn out. Everyone was happy. And most importantly, we got the word out. Cope Foundation is on a mission and a great one it is. A special thanks to our sponsors: 64 on The Pier, First student bus company of Fredonia, The Family Martial Arts Center and Harvest Chapel church of Fredonia.
On behalf of my son Justin Matteson and Elise Hupcej, mission accomplished.

My son Justin Matteson died over two years ago from an opioid overdose. Leaving three children behind. Elise Hupcej died of an opioid overdose leaving two beautiful children behind. All of their children are doing great and loved by family. So many other children are not as fortunate. Share the hope and keep smiles on the children.