2024 - Tyra Blodgett

Mrs. Blodgett worked in Residential Support at Lakeshore Behavioral Group, a women’s treatment center supporting women undergoing addiction treatment in gaining custody of their children and escorting them to court appointments. After an injury that prevented her from returning to work, she became interested in the dental field after one of her dental appointments. Tyra enrolled in the Dental Assisting program and after graduation worked as a Certified Orthodontic Assistant for Katherine Rand Orthodontics, and as a Certified Dental Assistant at Dr. Bob’s Dental Care. She currently works as an Allied Health Assistant in the BEOC Dental Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant programs.

Tyra’s allegiance to advocate for those in need is displayed through her church ministry and community service, as evidenced by her being a recipient of the “Women Touching the World” award from Unlimited Possibilities Overcoming Poverty Ministry Inc. A Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church Lackawanna member, she was a marriage facilitator for 3 years. She also led a group for children aged 5-16 assisting with summer camp and field trip experiences and was a church Girl Scout troop leader. Her volunteer work also includes being a mentor at Jericho Road Community Health Center for women aged 19-25, helping them in securing transitional support services; being a counselor at Aids Community Services procuring food vouchers and bus passes and referring clients to community agencies; as a life skills educator for girls aged 11-17 at Hopevale School Residential Detention Center; as a Classroom Aide working with troubled youth at Baker Victory Services; as a chaperone taking youth on field trips via the Lackawanna Sports Club and at Global Concepts Charter School where she also organized food and pajama drives; as a server providing dinners for those housed at Compass House shelter; and as a NYS Office of Parks Ladders to the Outdoors program facilitator instilling a love for nature by taking underprivileged youth on hiking and camping adventures.

Mrs. Blodgett says, “I believe people just need a little help to be the best they can be. I devote my time to serve the less fortunate.” Towards this end, you can find Tyra on Christmas Eve handing out non-perishables, toiletries, and clothes to the homeless in Buffalo, like she has for the past 20 years. 4.24

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