For Immediate Release:

Buffalo Ensemble Theatre Receives Grant from Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York

Buffalo, NY May 20, 2004  -- The Buffalo Ensemble Theatre, in collaboration with BusinessTheatre Works (an interactive theatrically based consulting firm) has received a grant of $88,000.00 from the Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York, to produce a theatrically based educational program entitled C.H.O.I.C.E (Careers in Healthcare: Opportunities in Choosing Employment).

The C.H.O.I.C.E program will encourage 6^th through 12^th grade students in participating Buffalo schools to pursue a career in the healthcare profession, by presenting a series of age appropriate theatrical vignettes dealing with basic healthcare concerns and professions. Each vignette will include an educational component related to basic primary and emergency medical care issues.

The program falls within the New York State C.D.O.S. (Career Development  & Occupational Studies) standards. It will also involve pre and post testing of participating students and will measure the changes and progress resulting from the program.

The C.H.O.I.C.E. program is supported by a grant from the Community Heath Foundation (CHF) of Central & Western New York, an independent private foundation. CHF partners with people, programs and organizations working to improve the health and health care of Western and Central New York State, The foundation provides strategic investments, collaborative facilitation, stimulation of best practices, and advancement of health outcomes. The Community health foundation is a non-profit foundation the mission of which is to improve the health and health care of the people Western and central New York

For more information:

Robert D. Palmer
Executive Director
Buffalo Ensemble Theatre
275 Oak Street
Buffalo NY 14205

716-855-2225