The arrival of fall is upon us once again, which means it’s almost time for our annual fall community event at the Buffalo Central Terminal! Stop by with your children to enjoy a safe, family friendly event. We’ll have lots of fun activities for youth and families on the Central Terminal’s great lawn along with trick-or-treating, cider and donuts at their parking lot. Date: Tuesday, October 25 (Rain date: Wednesday, October 26)Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.Location: Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212 This year also features the launch of Buffalo Central Terminal’s Seat at the Table! This community gathering space on the Terminal Great Lawn was inspired by community input and highlights two extra long tables and sculptural seating. *Masks are not required to attend this event* We welcome volunteers to participate in the event by decorating their vehicles and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Those interested can contact Tyrese Davis at internhousing@urbanctr.og or (716) 387-0596 to register a car for the event. We are accepting in-kind donations of candy, juice boxes, donut holes, pumpkins, art supplies, and bags for trick-or-treaters. Any donation, at any level, is greatly appreciated and will be publicly recognized. Click here for our sponsorship form or contact Tyrese Davis at internhousing@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x231. For more information on the event and general inquiries, contact Tyrese Davis at internhousing@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x231. Keep an eye on our Facebook event page for more updates!
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.
Afterschool Programming Returns to Polonia Hall
We’re excited that in-person afterschool programming will return to our Polonia Hall site at 385 Paderewski Drive, beginning March 1, 2021. We will be following COVID-19 guidelines and limiting the number of participants in the program for safety reasons.
To fill out an application to participate in the afterschool program, click here.
Please contact Justin Larke at jlarke@urbanctr.org or at (716) 893-7222 x311 for more information.
Kicking Off Our Fall Donation Drive!
Since many of our in-person volunteer opportunities have been placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re inviting our supporters to team up with their friends, family, and coworkers to participate in a drive to support our essential programs!
With the winter fast approaching, many of our programs serving homeless and low-income individuals and families are working to stock up on supplies needed to keep their clients clothed, warm and fed.
We’re also looking for school supplies for our Community Hub at the T.J. Dulski Center, which will provide daycare and academic support to working families whose children have to attend school remotely.
Please click here for a full list of our donation needs, as well as an option to make a monetary donation.
If you would like to coordinate a drop-off or pick-up, or would like more information, please contact Sarah Maurer, Development Director, at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x232.
Thanks for your ongoing support for our agency and the clients we serve!
Join Us For Trunk or Treat To-Go!
October is upon us, which means it’s almost time for our annual fall community event at the Buffalo Central Terminal! In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be called “Trunk or Treat To-Go!” and will be a socially distanced walkthrough with procedures in place to ensure that our trick-or-treaters and their families are safe. We will provide bags of candy, take-home creativity kits, refreshments and pumpkins to-go!
Date: Wednesday, October 28 (Rain date: Friday, October 30)
Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212
*Masks are required to attend this event!*
We welcome volunteers to participate in the event by decorating their vehicles and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Those interested can contact Danyel Sease at dsease@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x403 to register a car for the event.
We are accepting in-kind donations of candy, juice boxes, donut holes, pumpkins, art supplies, and bags for trick-or-treaters. Any donation, at any level, is greatly appreciated and will be publicly recognized. Click here for our sponsorship form.
For more information on the event, contact Sarah Maurer at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 ext. 232.
Keep an eye on our Facebook event page for more updates!
Updated COVID Procedures for All MUC Sites
Please see below for a summary of COVID procedures for each of our MUC locations, updated as of September 28, 2020.
Main Headquarters: 1081 Broadway
Our main headquarters has revised COVID-19 procedures that can be viewed HERE. Please reference this document before entering our facility. See below for more specifics regarding individual program updates:
Housing & Community Development – Our housing department continues to serve residents with all programs, however, all walk-in clients and in-person appointments are on hold until further notice. Residents applying for home repair can continue through the application process via phone, email and mail. We also continue to accept wait list applications for our apartment buildings and serve receivership tenants via phone and email. Tenants may still drop off rent payments at the dropbox in the lobby at 1081 Broadway the Main Headquarter procedures referenced above. Please call x231 for more information.
Senior Services – Our Senior Services staff continue to provide case management via phone. We will see clients for in-person service at 1081 Broadway by appointment only. Please call our senior services department at x207 for more information.
Weatherization – Our Weatherization staff are returning to work at properties in the community under safe procedures. New and existing clients seeking information or completing an application can do so via phone with our program director by calling x218.
Hope House Shelter: 586 Genesee Street
Our Hope House shelter is still accepting referrals, but our capacity is currently at 50% to maintain a safe distance between residents. We will accept referrals as families depart through the Department of Social Services and 2-1-1. All questions regarding the shelter can be directed to our Shelter Supervisor at (716) 893-7222 x327.
Matt Urban Hope Center: 385 Paderewski Drive
Our Hope Center has partially re-opened for food pantry and Urban Diner services only. Our food pantry is open on Tuesdays from 12:00-4:00 p.m. Our Urban Diner is open Monday through Friday from 2:00-5:00 p.m. for grab-and-go meals only. Both pantry and Urban Diner clients will be served at the front entrance of 385 Paderewski Drive. A mask is required for service. Please call x310 with questions.
Hope Services 2 – Permanent Supportive Housing: Housing First, Hope Gardens – 58 Oberlin Avenue, HELP Buffalo – I 368 Broadway & II 384 Broadway
Upon entry at Hope Gardens and HELP Buffalo I&II, all staff, service providers and any and all visitors are required to wear a mask, thoroughly sanitize their hands, and have their temperature taken and recorded in a daily log. At this time, both locations are not allowing unauthorized visitors. We have designated areas for deliveries.
The staff at HELP Buffalo I&II and Hope Gardens are currently providing case management with face-to-face visits in our larger open spaces, like conference rooms, where they can ensure 6 ft. distance from one another. Clients and staff are required to wear masks and carefully disinfect the entire area between these visits. Additionally, for Hope Gardens, all common areas remain closed until further notice and our door-to-door, take out style breakfast and dinner service will continue.
Our Housing First Program (scattered site) Case Managers are conducting socially distanced outdoor visits for clients with desperate needs, emergency situations, health concerns, landlord issues, and overall amplified behavioral difficulties.
Lastly, all of the Permanent Supportive Housing Programs are prepared and are hoping to accept new referrals in the fall. Please call (716)893-7222 x530 or x536 for further information on Permanent Supportive Housing programs.
Youth & Community Services: 129 Lewis Street & 385 Paderewski Drive
These buildings are closed to the public at this time. Our Community Hub will be opened to registered students in grades K-8, between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Parents will NOT be allowed in the building.
The food pantry at the T.J. Dulski Center (129 Lewis Street) will continue to serve clients in the rear of the building. Clients are still able to have client’s choice during pantry. The food pantry is held every Wednesday from 10:30am-2:30pm
Please keep an eye on our website for any updates to our agency’s procedures.
Employment Opportunities in Our Youth Department
Our Youth Department is looking to hire multiple staff in the positions of After School Program Aide and After School Teacher.
Please see our Employment Opportunities page for job descriptions, links to the full job posting, and information on how to apply.
Updated COVID-19 Procedures
As our region continues its broader re-opening process, several of our sites and programs have updated their procedures for building entry, client appointments, and general inquiries. Please see below for detailed information by program, to ensure you are following our current safety guidelines and know what to expect when visiting or submitting inquiries to our sites.
Main Headquarters: 1081 Broadway
Our main headquarters has revised COVID-19 procedures that can be viewed HERE. Please reference this document before entering our facility. See below for more specifics regarding individual program updates:
Housing & Community Development – Our housing department continues to serve residents with all programs, however, all walk-in clients and in-person appointments are on hold until further notice. Residents applying for home repair can continue through the application process via phone, email and mail. We also continue to accept wait list applications for our apartment buildings and serve receivership tenants via phone and email. Tenants may still drop off rent payments at the dropbox in the lobby at 1081 Broadway the Main Headquarter procedures referenced above. Please call x214 for more information.
Senior Services – Our Senior Services staff continue to provide case management via phone. We will begin seeing clients for in-person service at 1081 Broadway by appointment only. Please call our senior services department at x207 for more information.
Weatherization – Our Weatherization staff are returning to work at properties in the community under safe procedures. New and existing clients seeking information or completing an application can do so via phone with our program director by calling x218.
Hope House Shelter: 586 Genesee Street
Our Hope House shelter is still accepting referrals, but our capacity is currently at 50% to maintain a safe distance between residents. We will accept referrals as families depart through the Department of Social Services and 2-1-1. All questions regarding the shelter can be directed to our Hope Services director at (917) 717-1400.
Matt Urban Hope Center: 385 Paderewski Drive
Our Hope Center is still closed to the public at this time. Our Hope Center staff anticipate a partial re-opening for food pantry and personal essentials pantry with a tentative start date of July 21. Please continue checking our website and social media for updates on the Hope Center’s re-opening status and procedures. Please call x310 with questions.
Hope Services 2 – Permanent Supportive Housing: Housing First, Hope Gardens – 58 Oberlin Avenue, HELP Buffalo – I 368 Broadway & II 384 Broadway
Upon entry at Hope Gardens and HELP Buffalo I&II, all staff, service providers and any and all visitors are required to wear a mask, thoroughly sanitize their hands, and have their temperature taken and recorded in a daily log. At this time, both locations are not allowing unauthorized visitors. We have designated areas for deliveries.
The staff at HELP Buffalo I&II and Hope Gardens are currently providing case management with face-to-face visits in our larger open spaces, like conference rooms, where they can ensure 6 ft. distance from one another. Clients and staff are required to wear masks and carefully disinfect the entire area between these visits. Additionally, for Hope Gardens, all common areas remain closed until further notice and our door-to-door, take out style breakfast and dinner service will continue.
Our Housing First Program (scattered site) Case Managers are conducting socially distanced outdoor visits for clients with desperate needs, emergency situations, health concerns, landlord issues, and overall amplified behavioral difficulties.
Lastly, all of the Permanent Supportive Housing Programs are prepared and are hoping to accept new referrals in the fall. Please call (716)893-7222 x530 or x536 for further information on Permanent Supportive Housing programs.
Youth & Community Services: 129 Lewis Street & 385 Paderewski Drive
These locations are not open to the public at this time. Our Youth Summer Camp program will be opening for registered participants on July 6 under safe procedures. Please click HERE for more information about summer camp hours and registration.
Our youth locations will be participating in the BPS Summer Lunch program as pick-up sites. Lunches will be available for pick-up from 12pm- 1pm Monday- Friday, for children ages 18 and under. Lunch cannot be eaten on site – it must be taken home. One lunch per child will be given and children must be present in order to receive the lunch.
Our food pantry at the T.J. Dulski Center (129 Lewis St.) will continue to serve clients outside in the rear of the building. The food pantry is open Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Please keep an eye on our website for any updates to our procedures.
Virtual Sessions with Buffalo Animal Adventures
Our youth department is excited to share that they will be offering virtual enrichment sessions with Buffalo Animal Adventures every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.
Buffalo Animal Adventures is an outreach program that uses animal ambassadors to educate audiences on the importance of wildlife preservation and conservation.
To participate in the online sessions, click the link below:
Youth Department Now Offering Online Tutoring Sessions
The Matt Urban Center’s Youth Department is now offering afterschool virtual programming via Zoom!
Our staff will be holding Math and ELA tutorial sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:15-5:15 p.m. These sessions will be target toward students in grades 3-8.
Zoom links for each age group can be found on our website and Facebook page. Like our page and stay tuned for more fun activities coming your way!
Grades 3 & 4: