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Volunteer Opportunity: Urban Diner

Our Matt Urban Hope Center’s Urban Diner serves a fresh, healthy meal to residents free of charge on weekdays. We are looking for volunteers to help with food preparation (10:00AM to 1:30PM) and diner service (1:30PM to 4:30PM). Due to social distancing requirements, we cannot accommodate large groups for volunteering at this time.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Sarah Maurer at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x232.
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MUC to Host PLAY/GROUND 2021 Installation

We’re excited to welcome PLAY/GROUND 2021 to the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood this summer! Sponsored by The Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art (BICA) and Resource:Art, PLAY/GROUND brings a series of public art installations to our community and downtown Buffalo from August 6-15, 2021. The Matt Urban Center will be participating as a host site for an installation. Youth and families in our summer program will collaborate with the selected artist to create the piece that will be installed at our main headquarters at 1081 Broadway. Public art proposals are being accepted on the PLAY/GROUND website now through June 4, 2021. Learn more about PLAY/GROUND 2021 by checking out this article by Buffalo Rising.

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Community Clean-up Event This Month!

MUC will be joining our friends at the Greater East Side Field of Dreams Block Club Association for their annual neighborhood clean-up on Saturday, May 22 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Volunteers will gather at Detroit Street and Paderewski Drive and span out to clean neighboring streets. The block club is still seeking volunteers to join the clean-up effort, as well as donations of gloves, garbage bags, and bottled water. Volunteers will be provided with a thank you meal to-go. Those who are interested in volunteering or donating supplies can contact Marva Threat at mth1043938@aol.com.

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Join Us This Summer on SuperStreet

Join the Matt Urban Center and our neighboring community organizations for the kickoff of Summer on SuperStreet at the green space on the corner of Clark and Kent streets. Sponsored by Jericho Road Community Health Center, this initiative will launch on May 15 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM and will continue to provide a variety of programming at the green space every week throughout the summer and early fall. Our Housing & Community Development staff and Youth Department staff will be at the Superman Corner on multiple dates in July and August, to talk with local residents about available programs while providing fun activities for kids! Visit the Summer on Superstreet website for the calendar of events and more information.

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Help Us Meet Our Match Campaign Goal!

We’re thrilled to share that through the generosity of our supporters, we raised over $7,000 throughout the month of April, bringing us very close to our goal to raise $10,000 by May 31. Every donation made to the Matt Urban Center between now and May 31 will have double the impact, thanks to a matching donation from The Dolce Firm. We will also be hosting a few giveaways throughout the month on our social media pages, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for posts on how your donation can get you entered to win prizes! Help us meet our goal to raise $10,000 for our essential programs by following this link: www.urbanctr.org/donate

 

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Request for Proposals: Furniture Moving Services

The Matt Urban Center is seeking a qualified contractor to assist in moving donated furniture from the donor’s building (275 Brompton Road, Buffalo, NY 14221) into 15 units of supported housing at 19 Doat Street, Buffalo, NY 14211, and to the Matt Urban Center administrative building at 1081 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212.

To view the full request for proposals, click here.

Proposals will be accepted until Friday, April 9th at 3:30 P.M.

Via U.S. Mail or delivery to:
Will Smith, Security
Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY
1081 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14212

Questions on this request for proposals may be directed to rundercoffer@urbanctr.org or to (716) 893 – 7222 ext: 212.

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Another way to get in touch!

The Matt Urban Center’s Housing and Community Development Department has created a new way for you to contact us! Since our service area has expanded, we want to reach as many people as possible. With our new Inquiry Form, any small group or block club can schedule a time to meet with us- virtually for now- and learn about available programs in a more intimate setting where we can tailor our presentation to focus on your specific questions and needs. We’re looking forward to meeting with more of our neighbors and getting more residents entered into our programs. We are here to help! Just follow the link below, answer a few questions, and one of our Housing Specialists will contact you to schedule a call. We hope to hear from you soon!

Click here to meet with us!

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Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends of MUC,
I have been thinking a lot recently about transition. Clearly, I have been experiencing a transition the past two months as I have assumed this new role with MUC. The agency, of course, has been in the process of transition for some time. The immediate neighborhood as well, as the City at large has transitioned a great deal over decades and more noticeably in the past several years. And our nation, due to COVID-19 and many other factors is currently in a period of great and historic transition.
Transition is not a bad thing, but it is also not inherently good and can often be associated with pain. Positive change and transition which trends towards growth and success requires thoughtful planning, engagement of stakeholders, commitment and the ability to adapt. It means recognizing and respecting the past while addressing the needs of the present, and anticipating and being prepared to meet the needs of the future.
I believe that this neighborhood, City, Country and especially this organization are poised to transition to a stable, sustainable and vibrant future. As long as we remain committed to values such as open communication and dialogue, a belief that all members of society are entitled to a life of dignity and respect, and understanding that our impact collectively is more than that of ourselves alone, I believe that brighter days are indeed ahead.
Sincerely,
Ben Hilligas
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Flower Studio Co. Partners to Support MUC

Just in time for Spring’s upcoming arrival, an exciting new partnership has blossomed!
Flower Studio Co. is a local flower brand, offering a monthly subscription of beautifully curated bouquets with locally sourced, seasonal blooms. As part of their mission, Flower Studio Co. is helping to advance local causes and is partnering with the Matt Urban Center by supporting our cause and helping to bring awareness to our mission!
Flower Studio Co. is also committing a portion of proceeds from every bouquet to be donated to the Matt Urban Center in 2021. When you sign up for a Flower Studio Co. monthly flower subscription, you will receive beautiful flowers to your doorstep every month that will bring joy to you, while also helping support to our organization and those who need it most in our community.
Visit www.flowerstudioco.com to see their beautiful bouquets and SUBSCRIBE today!
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Eviction Prevention Funds Available Through STAND UP Buffalo

The Matt Urban Center, in partnership with the City of Buffalo’s STAND UP Buffalo program and 211 WNY, is providing rental assistance to at-risk residents who have been economically impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Arrears assistance for a maximum of three months and up to $4500 can be provided to those experiencing a COVID-19 hardship who meet income requirements.
Community members who are interested in applying to this program must first contact 211 WNY for initial intake and eligibility assessment. Those deemed eligible will then be referred to staff at our Matt Urban Hope Center. For more information, please visit www.211wny.org