After raising $20,000 for Recovery Options Made Easy in 2023, we are excited to announce that The Concert for Jenn & its corresponding fundraiser is back in 2024! Taking place on Jenn’s birthday, April 21, this year’s concert takes place at Town Ballroom, with comedy performances from Jenny Zigrino, Liz Reeves, and Jake Piskor along with music performances from Sonny Baker, Cooler, and Slow Animals, plus a burlesque performance by The Stripteasers!
The Concert for Jenn is a night of comedy and music honoring the life of Jennifer Orr. Jenn had a nearly two-decade struggle with mental health and addiction issues, which tragically culminated in her taking her own life in November of 2022. Jennifer was so much more than her struggles, though. She was an avid supporter of the local music scene as well as a member of the local comedy and burlesque scenes. She was a staunch and fearless advocate for the causes she cared about and loved helping people. This event will combine three of Jenn’s passions: music, comedy, and giving back.
Buffalo has for too long had a lack of viable options for those struggling with mental health, addiction, and the intersection of these two areas. Thankfully, the Kirsten Vincent Respite & Recovery Center has helped in answering that call since opening in April of 2023. The center, operated by Recovery Options Made Easy (ROME), supports crisis stabilization and continued recovery. Creating this first-of-its-kind model in New York State proves much more effective and cost-efficient than the traditional hospital stay, benefiting all of Western New York. This innovative model of recovery has allowed individuals a safe space of calm to regroup and recover. In addition, it’s important that this facility opened in East Buffalo, as there are clear racial disparities in access to mental healthcare across the country, but especially in a city as segregated as Buffalo. Proceeds from ticket sales and prizes at the event will benefit ROME’s respite programs in the Kirsten Vincent Respite & Recovery Center.
