The Matt Urban Centered is honored to be chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s park Club Classic Golf Tournament on Monday, June 26, hosted by the Park Country Club and organized by the Park Club Women’s Activities Association. Read the full article here.
Join Us for Trunk or Treat!
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!
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
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
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