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!

September 15, 2020

Those Idiots Host VIP Dinner & Livestream Show to Raise Support for MUC

Local band Those Idiots will be hosting an event to benefit the Matt Urban Center! There will be an in-person, VIP Dinner with a limited number of reservations available. Those interested in joining from home can tune into the livestream via Facebook and make a donation through our website.

Date: Saturday, September 19

Time: VIP Dinner at 6:00 PM, Show & Livestream at 7:00PM

Location: The Cave, 71 Military Road, Buffalo

Suggested Donation: $25.00

All proceeds from the event will go to support our programs. Those interested in attending the VIP Dinner in person can contact Jay Hall at (716) 310-2020 to make a reservation. Click HERE to see the Facebook event page with more info.

September 15, 2020

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!

September 15, 2020

Hope Center Urban Diner Re-Opening

After a long closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to announce that our Urban Diner at the Matt Urban Hope Center will be re-opening for to-go operations on Monday, September 21!

All meals will be distributed outside the front entrance of our Hope Center at 385 Paderewski Drive. A mask is required and we will have markers on the sidewalk to assist with social distancing requirements. We encourage families to send one member to pick up on behalf of their household. Distribution of the grab-and-go meals will run Monday through Friday, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. or until meals run out.

Please contact Cherise Carson, Hope Center Coordinator, at 716-893-7222 x329 for more information.

August 19, 2020

Donation Spotlight: Cricket Wireless

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Miss Joy Smith and her team from Cricket Wireless at 1105 Broadway for their incredibly generous donation of food items for our Hope Center pantry! The Cricket crew delivered a carload of groceries to our Paderewski location earlier this week. We’re so grateful to have neighboring businesses who give back to our community!

August 18, 2020

Take Our Rebranding Survey!

Our agency is in the early stages of a rebranding effort, and we want to hear some feedback from our clients, partners, donors, volunteers, and community supporters!

Please take a moment to answer our brief survey (only six questions) to help us better understand who we are to you and how you know our programs.

Access the survey by clicking here.

August 12, 2020

Welcoming our New Chief Community Development Officer

We’re excited to welcome Ryan Undercoffer to the role of Chief Community Development Officer at the Matt Urban Center!

Ryan joins the Matt Urban Center from M&T Bank, where he served as a Project Manager on a number of large-scale, enterprise-wide projects. Prior to his role at M&T, Ryan served as Finance Manager for the Niagara Falls Department of Community Development, where he worked for several years helping to manage a multi-million dollar grant portfolio made up of federal, state, local, and private funding sources. Ryan also spent several years working on legislative staffs, serving the Niagara Falls City Council and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ryan currently serves on the boards of Pinnacle Community Services and the Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Joanna (3) and Evan (1). They live in Niagara Falls, NY and enjoy hiking the Niagara Gorge on the weekends. Ryan is also a long-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu player and enjoys competing and helping others to learn the sport.

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020

Employment Opportunity: Executive Director

Now Hiring: Executive Director

Job Description: The Executive Director will provide leadership and vision, articulate and promote the organization’s mission, develop sufficient resources for the financial health of the agency, and position the agency to meet the needs of clients and community.

Click the link above for full listing. Please submit cover letter and resume to EDSearch@urbanctr.org by September 16, 2020.

July 31, 2020

Hope Center Food Pantry Re-Opening 8/4

We’re excited to be kicking off the month of August by re-opening our Food Pantry at the Matt Urban Hope Center!

The pantry will re-open on Tuesday, August 4 and will be open weekly on Tuesdays from 11:30AM to 3:30PM.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, pantry clients will be served outside in front of the main entrance at 385 Paderewski. Clients will be asked to provide their name, address and phone number. Bags will be pre-packed, so client choice of some items may be limited.

Please contact Cherise Carson, Hope Center Coordinator, at 716-893-7222 x329 for more information.

July 7, 2020

Employment Opportunity: Summer Term AmeriCorps Member

Now Hiring: AmeriCorps Service Member (Summer)

Job Description: The Asset Management AmeriCorps Service Member will work with housing staff to alleviate the pressure caused by COVID. Safe and affordable housing is more important than ever and the service member’s role in assisting with property management and asset management activities is essential as the Housing & Community development Department and the Matt Urban Center continue their essential work for the community.

Click the link above for full listing. Please submit cover letter and resume to Maya Shermer, Housing Director, at mshermer@urbanctr.org.