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The Buffalo Urban League is a national not-for-profit organization that provides the following programs in the Western New York region:
Our Mission To empower African Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals in securing economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The mission of both the Buffalo and the National Urban League supports the following objectives: Academic preparation and social development of our children so that they are equipped for self-reliance and citizenship in the 21st century. Fostering of economic self-sufficiency through gainful employment, entrepreneurship and home ownership.
Our Services Family Preservation & Support – Preventive & Intensive Services Our Preventive & Intensive Services are winning the competitive race in keeping families together. Separating children from their families is traumatic for them – the devastation can last a lifetime. Research also shows that once a child is removed from the home, it can be difficult to reunite the family. Our strategy provides vision, leadership and resources to empower families to cope with problems and build on their strengths. We firmly believe that children, even in the midst of a family crisis, can often be safely protected and nurtured within their own homes. Highly regarded for our “five star services,” our continuum of programs has earned a strong reputation in the family court system and throughout this region for maintaining families with superior services:
Parenting can be challenging. Our team of experienced professionals assists families who may be at potential risk of child abuse or neglect. Case workers diligently offer praise, encouragement and teach new parenting skills. We also provide in-home services and linkage to a variety of community support services – based on individual needs. Our outstanding services produced these results:
Our counseling and educational programs have effectively helped families address major problems, work through barriers and reduce out-of-home placement of children. Our personal and family coaching has enabled families to live together in a safe and supportive environment. We have made a substantial difference in thousands of lives. Through it all, we successfully keep families together. For information on our services, call (716) 881-4622.
Family Preservation & Support – Senior Services “It’s Never Too Late To Become All You Were Meant To Be” Loneliness affects all age groups. Older adults suffer, especially after having lost a spouse, a close companion or the ability to continue participating in social activities for health reasons. They tend to withdraw and begin to feel unneeded and unwanted. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, minor depression affects 15 – 20% of older adults and can profoundly compromise health and the quality of life. The Buffalo Urban League’s Senior Services Division, housed in the Clemmon H. Hodges Community Center, 86 Pine Street, offers a natural remedy to combat loneliness. A warm, friendly environment, the Hodges Center is a safe, resourceful outlet to meet with old friends, find new ones and share experiences. Their programs are designed to offer recreational, social, educational and leisure activities. Seniors enjoy conversation, crafts, games, classes and just plain fun. Because older people with low-incomes are at greater risk of suffering from diet-related diseases, the Center offers nutrition seminars and weekday communal dining. Balanced lunches are served for a nominal donation. Participants also have access to exercise programs at neighboring Sheehan Memorial Hospital. Helpful health seminars inform seniors on Medicare Part D and how to make optimal choices. Sheehan staff answer medical questions, helping individuals as well as other family members. Newcomers are also advised to participate in the Telephone Assurance Program (TAP), a free service that provides daily person-to-person contact with people who live alone but who want to maintain their independence. The Hodges Center’s services are available to all, free of charge, ages 55 and up. If you or a loved one needs a smile and wants to meet some new friends, call 847-8951.
Family Preservation & Support – Stop the Violence Coalition "Responding To The Needs Of The People” The Peacemakers of Buffalo:
To reduce violence in the City of Buffalo and it’s surrounding areas, a collaborative of community-based organizations came together to form which is now the Stop The Violence Coalition (STVC). This concentration of passion, energy, commitment and expertise is focused on stopping violence and helping to make our neighborhoods safe. “We gain strength for this vital work through one another’s faith and our inclusive, collective perseverance to prevail,” says Marc L. Fuller, STVC Chairman. Regardless of the situation or the time of the call, the Stop The Violence Coalition responds by providing immediate comfort and assurance to the caller. We listen to the issues and help find answers to help resolve the problems. This quickly connects victims to our member organizations for further assistance, another program of the Buffalo Urban League or with other resources which can start healing and find resolution to the situations. “Our work with individuals in crisis calms their spirit and gives us the opportunity to spread our message of peace” says Marc Fuller. However, every call is not of distress. We are buoyed by the heart-felt offerings of thanks and the frequently voiced comments of “What would I have done without you”; “Keep up the good work”; and “What can I do to help you in this mission?” These responses have motivated us to stay focused in our mission of reducing the violence in the city and keeping the spirit of peace and love alive in the community. For information on our services, call (716) 882-7882.
Family Preservation & Support - Foster Care & Adoption If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much.” The Buffalo Urban League’s Foster Care and Adoption agency has been a trailblazer in standing up for children’s causes and providing them with the most comprehensive services possible. For 27 years, Community Alliance for Minority and Multi-Needs Adoption Program (CAMMAP) and Each One, Touch One (EOTO) Foster Care Program have collectively provided quality services to children and families. We have played a critical role in ensuring that all children are placed in stable, nurturing, healthy and safe homes where they can maximize their potential. Buffalo Urban League understands the importance of appropriately matching children with families who are best suited to effectively address and meet the many challenges that children have who come into our care. One of the goals of the EOTO Foster Care Program is reunification. We provide services which help children return home to their parents, relatives or guardians. When a child’s reunification with their parents is not possible, their goal is changed to adoption. Changing the goal to adoption is often difficult but necessary in order to achieve permanency for the child. Due to their specific circumstance, Johnny and Geneva were unable to be reunited with their birth parents. However, they were blessed in being able to be adopted by a loving family. It is these success stories that make the work of the Foster Care and Adoption Staff worthwhile. Adoption is a lifelong commitment and we need more people, like Cynthia Yarborough, to positively enhance children’s lives through adoption. “Johnny and Geneva are doing well in school. They are attending Special Education classes this school year but effective September 2008, they will be in 6th grade and attending regular classes,” says Cynthia, beaming with pride. Cynthia has adopted four other children through Buffalo Urban League. We invite you to join us in making a difference in children’s lives through foster care or adoption.
Family Preservation & Support - Youth Programs “Investing In Our Future.” Today’s urban youth are faced with tough issues and increasingly fewer chances to compete in a rapidly changing world. The Buffalo Urban League continues to carry a torch of faith, believing they can overcome any obstacle. Walking the walk, we deliver the following programs to help these children gain a sense of competence, belonging and self-reliance. National Urban League Incentive to Excel and Succeed (NULITES) – a nationwide initiative that trains young people to accentuate the positive and foster principles that make for successful outcomes. Participating students enter the NULITES program through chapters of their local Urban League affiliates. Youth officers meet regularly to develop, implement and execute activities with guidance from adult advisors. To date, 57 chapters operate in 26 states. Last year our local NULITES traveled to the St. Louis, MO, for leadership training along with their Urban League peers from around the country. Youth Engagement Services (YES) – a collaborative partnership with the Erie County Department of Social Services. YES serves youth from the Buffalo Public School District who are at risk for academic underachievement, due to personal, family or societal issues. The program promotes economic independence and trains young adults to be productive citizens. The YES program conducts activities such as: martial arts training, DMV trips for learner’s permits, college campus and on-site career tours, on-the-job experiences and life skills training. Outstanding speakers regularly present on nutrition, hygiene and various career opportunities. Our YES participants march in the annual Juneteenth parade and enjoy the various social activities throughout the year. Supplemental Educational Services (SES) – a math and reading tutorial program for Buffalo Public School students. Academic tutoring is provided after school for grades K-12. Our classroom instruction, conducted by certified teachers and tutors, coincides with New York State learning standards. 21st Century Fund Initiative – a grant which supports us in providing on-site tutoring in schools covering math, reading, career development and life skills. All of these programs help young adults pave constructive paths into the future. More importantly, they know that the Buffalo Urban League staffers care and are with them in a life-long relationship. For information on our services, call (716) 849-6727 extension 174.
Family Engagement Services Program Caring Adults Guide Bright Futures In Children.” Young people need a circle of support to lead healthy, productive lives. With escalating gang violence, high school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and imprisonment, a cry for more youth programs to help build better futures is echoing across America. The Buffalo Urban League has demonstrated commitment to serving the disadvantaged in the community. Our Family Engagement Services Program focuses on continual school/student improvement. This approach to drive improvements in student learning outcomes was showcased by our work at the Academy @ 44 (identified as the “Alternative” school by the Buffalo Public School District). Students at the Academy @ 44 exhibit a number of adverse social, economic, behavioral and educational conditions. Our Family Engagement Services program provides a network of vital support, including outreach, intervention and enrichment. On-site counseling, routine home visits, parent conferences and collaborations with Erie County Child Protective Services and Probation departments help boost attendance and parent involvement, while lowering suspension and school violence. Life skills, teen parenting preparation, job readiness training and college and vocational center tours present valuable learning experiences for young adults. A collaborative effort with school administration and the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program put the Academy School students to work upon their completion of an enrichment initiative. The road ahead continues to be a challenging course and we remain dedicated to providing these children with a better chance at life. In 2007:
Education and Employment – Employment Transition Services "Pursuing the American Dream”
The Employment Transition Services Division is located in the Buffalo Urban League’s main office at 15 East Genesee Street in Buffalo. Individuals seeking employment assistance receive services in cooperation with the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC). This partnership enables the Buffalo Urban League to introduce job seekers to a one-stop career transition facility where all the necessary resources are provided in a central location. Employment Transition Services is well known in the Buffalo community for providing personal help to those seeking a change in their career. As employers increasingly rely on internet and computerized communication for obtaining new staff, barriers are created for certain individuals. However, career transition help from the Buffalo Urban League will ensure those barriers are taken down. We make a potentially impersonal job search process more human by becoming a personal advocate in one’s search. Workshops, basic computer training, resume preparation, employer presentations and current job opportunities are just some of the available services to assist the job seeker in a successful search. On Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week, a staff person from the Employment Transition Services Department is stationed at BETC, assisting individuals in the effective use of these services. Services are complimented by a support system composed of Buffalo Urban League programs, collaborative agencies and partnerships. Through this support system, needs are met with corresponding services related to housing, child support, custodial issues, transportation and food pantries. As we prepare for another year, we look to continued success in advancing diversity in the workplace as we help many in their pursuit of their life goals. For information on our services, call (716) 250-2405.
Education and Employment – Project ANSWER "Sometimes The Answer Isn’t As Far Away As We Thought” The hope of finding and sustaining gainful employment is often only a pipe dream to some single parents, restricted from working because of high child care costs, incomplete education and minimal financial support. Project ANSWER (Activities Necessary for Successful Work Experience Results) helps erase those barriers and transforms the nearly impossible into a clear plan and satisfies personal achievement. Project ANSWER gives a much-needed hand to eligible clients enrolled in Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF), a federal block grant program formerly known as “welfare.” By securing suitable child care and tutoring for dependent children, accessing needed medical care, counseling services and GED enrollment, Project ANSWER provides vision and empowerment to many families. Outreach is provided with a holistic, culturally sensitive approach. Counselors conduct convenient home visits and serve as motivators. Serving a large multicultural audience, including immigrants from various African countries, bilingual assistance is provided to Spanish speaking clients. For information on our services, call (716) 250-2406.
Housing and Community Development “When Lightening Strikes, We Can Help”
The Buffalo Urban League has been actively engaged in helping individuals with their housing needs since its beginning in 1927. In fact, one of the initial reasons the Buffalo Urban League came into existence was to assist with housing the many new residents who had migrated to Buffalo from the south in the early 20th century. Today, we focus not only on finding quality housing but also on:
Through community outreach, intake information, individual housing counseling and support services, homebuyer education classes, small business loans to minorities and women and community wide collaboration, the Buffalo Urban League continues to serve at the forefront of Buffalo housing. And, as we did for John, we continue to make the “American Dream” of owning a home a reality. For information on our services, call (716) 250-2403.
About our President: Brenda Williams McDuffie Brenda W. McDuffie has been serving as President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, Inc., since October 1998. In her position with the Urban League, she is able to commit her energy and talent to making real positive difference in the lives of people in the Buffalo Niagara community. Before joining the Buffalo Urban League, Mrs. McDuffie was the Executive Director for the Buffalo and Erie County Private Industry Council, Inc. (PIC). She received her undergraduate degree from the State University College at Buffalo, and earned a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Development from the State University of New York at Buffalo’s School of Management. Mrs. McDuffie started her career as a paralegal aide for Neighborhood Legal Services. She currently serves on several Boards including: National Urban League, Independent Health Association, Western New York Heath Systems and the Buffalo Erie County Workforce Investment Board. Mrs. McDuffie has received numerous awards and recognition including: the Buffalo News Citizen of the Year, NAACP Community Service, 1994 Business First Forty Under 40, United Way Volunteer of the Year, Leadership Buffalo Values Award, the YWCA Community Service Award; and she has been inducted into the WNY Women’s Hall of Fame. She gives all honors to God for giving her such a rich and fulfilling life with her family and our community. To Contact Us US Mail: Phone: Website:
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