Welcoming Our New CFO: David Kraus

The Matt Urban Center is thrilled to welcome David Kraus to our administrative team as our  Chief Financial Officer.

Hailing from Syracuse, NY, David received his MBA from UB. He immediately went to work at UB as an administrator in progressively challenging roles, as Assistant to Chair of the Music Department, the Project Manager of the all-new UB Center for the Arts, and finally as Assistant Dean of UB’s College of Arts & Sciences.

David took a break from the Queen City’s notorious winters living nearly 14 years in Durham, NC, where he worked in the finance industry, continued his educational pursuits, and earned additional professional credentials. David boomeranged back to Buffalo, became a New York State CPA, and co-founded the consulting group, NuLevel Strategies to be a resource to mission-driven businesses and local nonprofits.  Of his new role, David says, “it’s a unique opportunity to join a great team and get closer to the front-lines of mission-driven nonprofit work.”

David is married with two grown step-kids. He and his wife have dogs (Doberman Pinscher & Dober-Shep mix) and often pursue animal rescue efforts like fostering otherwise homeless pups. When he’s not working, David enjoys making homemade bread and other yummy comfort foods. He enjoys long bike rides and attending local cultural attractions, concerts, and festivals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

 

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.

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!

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 

Request for Proposals: Bus Transportation Services

The Matt Urban Center operates several after school programs in the City of Buffalo. We are seeking a qualified contractor to assist in bus transportation services from the program location (385 Paderewski Dr.) to each individual student’s home.

Please click here to view the full Request for Proposals.

Proposals will be accepted until Friday, March 19th 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 qualifications may be directed to ztenhuisen@urbanctr.org or to (716) 893 – 7222 ext: 219.