Daemen College Students Paint Mural at Hope Gardens

Our Permanent Supportive Housing department recently collaborated with a group of design students from Daemen College‘s Visual & Performing Arts program and their Professor, Casey Kelly. The group painted a mini-mural in the sanctuary space at our Hope Gardens facility. Due to COVID-19, the group wasn’t able to do the mural for their art in community service project during the Spring semester, but they returned in the Fall ready to complete it! We’re incredibly grateful to have a connection to this institution and these compassionate students!

Hope Gardens End-of-Summer Luau

Last week, our Permanent Supportive Housing department held their first event at Hope Gardens since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March. Staff put up bright, colorful decorations and the residents enjoyed music, games, delicious BBQ chicken (specially made by Housing First Program Supervisor, Lonnie Patterson) and yummy sides – all while properly socially distancing. Many of the residents said it was the most fun they have had in a long time and that they really needed it. As things progress positively in this pandemic, we hope to gradually hold more in-house events. All of our Permanent Supportive Housing staff had a fun time as well!

Barkley Family Shows Their Love for Children at Hope House

 

Even though he’s quarantined at his home in California, Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley and his family still have families in Buffalo on their minds and in their hearts.

Last week Barkley and his wife, Brittany, reached out to the Matt Urban Center and generously offered a $10,000 donation to support the 25 children and mothers who are currently quarantined at our Hope House homeless shelter.

In 2019, the Barkley’s visited Hope House and participated in an Easter Egg hunt with the families who live there. That experience still resonates with them a year later, and as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through, they had those families on their minds. They specifically requested that their donation be spent on the needs of the children living at Hope House, to make life a little better for them during tough times.

“Knowing that they’re quarantined like everyone else, but that there’s 25 kids running around in this confined space, the moms are probably going crazy, I can’t even imagine,” Barkley said. “Anything that we can do to help, whether it’s games, puzzles, an iPad or two, anything to keep those kids busy, arts and crafts, anything that can go immediately towards this COVID-19 relief is what we wanted.”

Barkley recently spoke about his donation to the Hope House on One Bills Live. You can listen to his interview here.

Our staff at the Matt Urban Center are incredibly thankful to the Barkley family for supporting our clients during this time.

Thank you, Matt and Brittany, for your amazing generosity!

Join Matt Barkley in Giving Back

You can team up with Matt Barkley and take action to help those who need it right now.

Our agency’s programs and services support families living on Buffalo’s East Side. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we need your help now more than ever.

Please consider helping the Barkley’s donation go even further by making your own donation to the Matt Urban Center. Together we can help more Buffalo families get back on their feet.

Donate Here

Employment Opportunity: Housing First Case Manager

Now Hiring: Housing First Case Manager

Job Description: The Housing First Case Manager will perform street outreach to engage with the chronically homeless to screen for program. They will perform thorough assessments of all clients including social history, number of past hospitalizations, treatment histories for mental illness and chemical addictions), homeless history and homeless preferences (where did they live, what services did they utilize while homeless), and a detailed housing history.

Click the link above for full listing. Please submit cover letter and resume to Christal Guthrie at cguthrie@urbanctr.org.

Employment Opportunity: Emergency Shelter Supervisor

Now Hiring: Emergency Shelter Supervisor

Job Description: The Emergency Shelter Supervisor will maintain a safe, supportive Trauma Informed environment within the shelter, monitor the facility to maintain safety of clients and shelter space, and assist clients with shelter routines and following all shelter procedures.

Click the link above for full listing. Please submit cover letter and resume to Christal Guthrie at cguthrie@urbanctr.org.

Employment Opportunity: Hope Gardens Cook

Now Hiring: Hope Gardens Cook

Job Description: The Cook at Hope Gardens will be responsible for overseeing meal planning and preparation for the residents of the facility. The Cook will inventory & shop for food, prepare meals, and maintain kitchen to remain in compliance with Department of Health standards.

Click the link above for full listing. Please submit cover letter and resume to Christal Guthrie at cguthrie@urbanctr.org.

Employment Opportunity: Homeless Outreach Case Manager

Now Hiring: Homeless Outreach Case Manager

Job Description: The Homeless Outreach Case Manager is a field position that has the primary responsibility of successful engagement of street homelessness and chronically homeless individuals in the City of Buffalo, assisting them with basic needs followed by housing.

Click the link above for full listing.

Please submit cover letter and resume to Skylar Diamond at sdiamond@urbanctr.org

Save the Date: Hearts for Hope

Join the Matt Urban Center for this celebration of Hope Givers in our community! The event will recognize three compassionate individuals who have contributed to our mission to serve those in need over the past year. The evening will include drinks, food, and live music, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Matt Urban Hope Center and the clients they serve.
2018 Hope Giver Honorees
Officer Dave Zarbo, NFTA
Derek Malke, Alanerek, LLC
Kerri Howell, Wear n’ Share
Joyelle Tedeschi & Karen Carman, Founders of Hope Services
Monday, February 11, 2019
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois Street
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here or at the door.
Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Contact Sarah Maurer, Development Coordinator, at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x232.

Volunteers Needed: Urban Diner

Looking to do some volunteering in the New Year? We are in need of some dedicated volunteers to work in our Urban Diner kitchen at the Matt Urban Hope Center!
Volunteers are needed on weekdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Tasks include preparing meals and drinks in the kitchen, as well as washing dishes and taking out garbage.
To learn more or sign up to volunteer, please contact Latasha Colbert at (716) 893-7222 x313 or lcolbert@urbanctr.org.