Liftoff’s Onboard Network launched in January 2025 to create and engage a network of advocates from across Western New York. A year and a half later, we are excited to share that we have reached over 100 Onboard Ambassadors! Our Onboard Ambassadors come from all walks of life, from marketing mavens to early childhood professionals, parents and more. We have a great group that represents the diversity of the Western New York Region. Since its inception, we have expanded our network with representation from over 50 organizations spanning 10+ sectors including healthcare, philanthropy, education, public health, early childhood services, higher education, and nonprofit advocacy. Our Onboard Ambassadors span six counties in Western New York and cover a geographic footprint that spreads from Buffalo to Jamestown and Niagara Falls to Rochester.

Onboard started out as just an idea. We were looking for a way to increase Liftoff’s visibility and elevate our early childhood priorities across the region. After planning and strategizing with our partners at Riveter Design, Onboard was created. It was kismet as when we were gearing up to launch Onboard, we happened to expand our team, with Learning and Advocacy Coordinator, Megan Battista.  Megan has been leading the Onboard charge since it launched and through her hard work and stellar networking skills, we were able to take this project and make it something really special! Megan says, “Launching and investing in Onboard has been such a rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. Onboard has grown to be something bigger than we ever imagined in the earliest stages of this work. It is a real community of people who care deeply about Western New York’s children and are willing to show up for them. Our impact has been visible, from our growing Advocacy Day numbers to the feedback we are receiving from coalition partners and policymakers. Engaging our region in the important work of ensuring young children have everything they need to thrive will lead to stronger, more robust systems of support for children and families.”

Our Onboard Ambassadors have supported early childhood initiatives in a variety of ways, from hopping on a bus to Albany for the Kids Can’t Wait Campaign or signing and sharing an online petition for the Empire State Child Care Campaign with their network. No matter how large or small, Onboard Ambassadors are using their power and influence to be a voice for children in our region. Onboard Ambassador Gabrielle Kostrzewski, Director of Education and Training, CCRN shared, “When Onboard was announced, to me, it was the perfect opportunity to bring us all together because we were all doing meaningful work, but very separately of one another, and we’re stronger together. We can make a bigger impact if we work together. So to me, Onboard has been that, that kind of ribbon to tie, to tie the bow around our great cause.” “What I think Onboard brings that is so unique to other agencies or initiatives is that it’s a safe space for everybody to be. It creates a space where we can have those differing opinions, because our goal is always going to be about helping children and families,” Kim Stewart, Help Me Grow WNY, Director of Early Childhood relayed.

This summer, a youth volunteer sat down with several of our incredible ambassadors to answer the question: What makes Onboard something you wanted to engage with? Listen to their own words as we celebrate Building 100 here.

We are truly thrilled to see what Onboard has become. What started as a blank canvas is now a vibrant community of leaders, all with the goal of ensuring our children are set up for success. 

If you would like to join this incredible network of advocates and leaders, please sign up for Onboard today.

The Importance of Grace and more on The Apple Lounge Podcast: We kicked off August with Rachel Bonsignore, Liftoff WNY Director, joining colleague and Onboard Ambassador Kim Stewart on the Apple Lounge Podcast. This was a great opportunity to introduce Liftoff to a new audience. Rachel spoke on a variety of topics with the dual perspective as both a parent and professional in the early childhood field. They covered a lot, discussing parent empowerment, universal developmental screening, the importance of asset-based framing as well as the significance of giving grace to parents and families during challenging times. The conversation also highlighted the importance of advocacy and early childhood champions such as legislators and how the work cannot be done without their influence and power. It’s important that we all serve as villagers for our littlest kids to ensure lasting success. Please find the full podcast episode here.

Lead and the Effects on Early Childhood Development: We wrapped up August with a webinar, “Protection Beyond Prevention: Building a Stronger Response to Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood”, as part of our Learning Network. It was a great session that discussed what a strong response to childhood lead poisoning should look like. We also explored the opportunities New York State has with a legislative response. The experts around the table that lead this important discussion were Breana Hargrave of Lead 716, Marc Hennig of Beyond Support Network, Mary Frances Bayer of Beyond Boundaries Therapy Center and Dr. Sarah Ventre of Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center. Please find the webinar here.

Transformative Advocacy for Child Care: A Celebration of Child Care NEXT: Early September, Liftoff joined fellow advocates in Albany for a national convening hosted by the Alliance for Early Success (pictured above). This national organization runs Child Care NEXT, an initiative that has supported New York’s Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC) for the past five years. Child Care NEXT worked to build a stronger advocacy ecosystem and lasting public support for long-term child care policy change. New York is one of six states, along with Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Virginia that received Child Care NEXT funding since 2021. Connecting with peers from across the country reaffirmed that our work here is part of a broader, shared movement. You can find more on the initiative and participating states on the Alliance’s website. We also want to recognize our New York ESCCC colleagues, advocates, and partners for their steadfast advocacy, policy skill, and persistent action on behalf of children and families. We look forward to the Campaign’s continued progress and success in the years ahead.