My name is Katherine (Katie) Collins and I became interested in the BryLin Community Board through my work at the Mental Health Advocates of WNY (formerly the Mental Health Association). I worked in the department of family support & advocacy and spent two evenings and one weekend afternoon at BryLin to support patients and their families.

I am a native of Buffalo and after living away for a few years, I returned to the area to get married and raise our four children. My professional background is in journalism and I have worked in development and fundraising since then.

I believe BryLin is one of the many jewels of Western New York and I am happy to serve on the BryLin Community Board.

Mylous Hairston is a Buffalo native and multiple award winning former television anchor/reporter. Having spent more than 25 years in broadcasting and communications, Mr. Hairston is devoted to serving the community in a variety of roles. Excited to be a member of BryLin’s Community Board, he looks to help raise awareness and recognition of mental health issues affecting the community.

Ms Laney is the Child and Family Support Program Director for the Mental Health Advocates of Erie County, Inc.. This is a peer run program that offers a variety of services to include support, advocacy, and education to those who have a family member struggling with mental illness.

In March 2020,  at The Mental Health Advocates of WNY 58th Annual Dinner, Jenny received the Professional of the Year Award for her “dedication to helping children and families living with the challenges of mental illness.”

On October 21st 2015, Allison’s brother Mathew took his own life. Allison then struggled with her own depression for quite some time after. In fact, she had several suicide attempts which led to 3 hospitalizations in 2017.

As a result, Allison felt embarrassed. She realized that she was too worried about everything else in her life but but not herself. Allison was hospitalized at BryLin Hospital and states, “I learned about self-care when I was hospitalized at BryLin. They helped me a lot with my recovery and I am stronger now because of it”.

Allison has since made it her mission to help others. She wants to help break the stigma of depression and mental illness and encourage individuals to reach out for help. “It’s ok to admit that sometimes LIFE IS HARD” says Allison. “It’s important to let people know that HELP is available. You just need to ask for it”.

Hon. Judge Penny Wolfgang is a retired New York State Supreme Court Justice. The New York City native began her legal career in Buffalo as a private attorney and then a public defender. While working as a public defender, Penny was tasked with representing the legal community on a series of public service information programs in Buffalo media called “The Law and You.” Penny fell in love with the idea of communicating legal information in everyday language that would be useful and helpful to the community.

Because of the public acceptance of her informational spots, Penny was urged to become a judge. She did and was elected first to county court and subsequently to the Supreme Court.

Through the years, Judge Penny never lost her interest in media, continuing her radio career on Audacy stations as the host of the weekly public affairs program, “On Target.”