Friday, June 14, 2019Hyatt Regency Downtown

#100Actions

FightingPoverty One

Action at a Time

2019 CAO Actions

Breakfast

The Guaranty Building, 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100 Buffalo, NY 14202 Albany | Buffalo | New York City | Palm Beach | Saratoga Springs | Toronto

716.856.4000

Congratulaaons to all the awardees at the Community Accon Organizacon of WNY’s

54th Anniversary & Awards Breakfast

BREAKFAST AGENDA

WelcomeShannon Smith, WIVB/WNLO-TV Reporter – Mistress of Ceremonies

Invocation and Blessing of the MealReverend Dr. James A. Lewis III, Director of Pastoral Care, ECMC and Senior Pastor, Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church

Acknowledgment of Sponsors Shannon Smith, WIVB/WNLO-TV Reporter – Mistress of Ceremonies

Board and Staff RecognitionDemone A. Smith, CAO Board – Sergeant at Arms

Education Task Force Scholarship WinnersJoAnna Rozier-Johnson – CAO’s Director of Youth Services

State of the AgencyL. Nathan Hare, President and CEO of CAO of WNY.

Keynote SpeakerMr. Bruce Fisher, Journalist and Author of “Where the Streets are Paved with Rust”

Video Presentation

Gift PresentationThomas Kane, Vice President of Development, CAO

BenedictionReverend Dr. James A Lewis III, Director of Pastoral Care, ECMC and Senior Pastor, Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church

OFFICERS

MEMBERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Adrianne L. AdgerFounder of Loving Life with PCOS

Maggie F. HannahRepresentative for Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes

John IngramBoard of Commissioners Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority

Hon. Craig D. HannahPresidentBuffalo City Court - Chief Judge

Michael E. JohnsonVice-PresidentOffice of the State Comptroller

Demone A. Smith Sergeant at ArmsBuffalo Employment and Training Center

Angela BlueSecretaryWestern NY Area Labor Federation

Vernee ShawTreasurerChief of Staff at Ellicott District Council Office

Jennifer Nahrebeski, LMHCCounselor

Wilmer Olivencia JrCoordinator, Anti-Graffiti and Clean City Program.

Dr. Raquel SchmidtUniversity of Buffalo

Ulysees O. Wingo Sr. Buffalo City Council

COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF WNY, INC.

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION

L. Nathan HarePresident & Chief Executive Officer

Phyllis McBrideAdministrator Head Start/ Early Head Start

Deanne MontgomeryVice President, Finance

Catherine M. Roberts, MBA, NCRTSenior Vice President

Natalie ShermanVice President, Human Resources

Thomas KaneVice President, Development

Bylaws & Nominations — Chair Michael Johnson (C), Craig Hannah (E), Maggie Hannah (E), and John Ingram (L).

Finance — Chair Vernee Shaw (E), John Ingram (L), Michael Johnson (C), and WilmerOlivencia, Jr. (L).

Luncheon, Events & Development — Chair Jennifer Nahrebeski (E), Angela Blue (E), JohnIngram (L) and Raquel Schmidt (C).

PEM — Chair Jennifer Nahrebeski (E), Demone A. Smith (C), Raquel Schmidt (C), , Maggie Hannah (E), Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. (L), and Adrianne Adger (L).

Pension — Chair Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. (L), Vernee Shaw (E), Adrianne Adger (L).

HR — Chair Angela Blue (E), Craig Hannah (E), John Ingram (L), and Demone A. Smith (C).

Executive — Chair Craig Hannah (E), Michael Johnson (C), Angela Blue (E), Vernee Shaw (E), John Ingram (L), Ulysees Wingo, Sr. (L), and Wilmer Olivencia, Jr. (L).

Audit — Chair Craig Hannah (E), Michael Johnson (C), Angela Blue (E), and Wilmer Olivencia, Jr. (L).

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTEach year we find ourselves facing new challenges, some internal and some external. It is a reality of growth that some of those who have not helped, seek to control the efforts of those who did.

Despite headwinds and self-inflicted circumstances, the CAO is forging ahead, modernizing our structures, re-evaluating the needs of the low income and poor communities of our two County region, constructing targeted strategic initiatives, homing in on the foundations we need to build for today and for tomorrow.

Our Needs Analyses have helped us to become clear that we must strengthen opportunities for residents to have access to affordable, quality housing. We have to help our residents develop a health care culture that embraces self-initiated engagement in monitoring our own health, proactively shaping how we eat, sleep and conduct our lives to minimize health consequences and improve the day-to-day quality of our lives.

We have to make self-development our personal creed, grabbing job opportunities we may have to walk to, if there is no other way, trusting that saving and self-investing will open up windows we had not previously known were there.

CAO is forging ahead, modernizing our structures, re-evaluating the needs of the low income and poor communities of our two County region, constructing targeted strategic initiatives, homing in on the foundations we need to build for today and for tomorrow.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTStretching our service dollars so that we can serve as many residents of our community as possible, will take us far, but, collaborating with each other, making the whole of us greater than the sum of our parts, is the path that will take us farthest.

The CAO’s Eastside Family and Educational Campus brings several agencies together, targeting a small residential community with the goal of identifying and finding solutions to every need in that community’s households. Our goal is to determine whether a coordinated, dedicated effort can enable us to transform a community into one which people are trying to move into, rather than to move out of.

The CAO is using its size and base of resources to transform areas afflicted by disinvestment, working with the Greater Martin Luther King area Business Association to invest in and attract investment to the North Fillmore Avenue Business District. We have helped the residents of that community improve business facades to complement the City’s investment in sidewalks and curbing. We have helped establish a visible character to that community through signage, banners and self-help activity, identifying the district with the residents around it.

The CAO is modernizing its system of operations and, working with the McGuire Development Company, will soon sponsor the construction of a new Head Start Academy on the former Deaconess Hospital property to be surrounded by new, single family homes with the goal of neighborhood transformation. The Head Start Academy is working with the Community Health Center to incorporate a pediatric and family health clinic and a dental practice, helping to address the primary health care needs of that community.

Working together with you, we have the wind in our sails, forging the future of the war on poverty movement together, full speed ahead.

L. Nathan Hare, President and CEO

Collaborating with each other, making the whole of us greater than the sum of our parts, is the path that will take us farthest.

COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF ERIE COUNTY, INC STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

Year Ended February 28, 2018

SUPPORT & REVENUESSupport:Grants from Governmental Agencies $35,103,587Contributions $139,202Donated Goods & Services $8,728,015

TOTAL SUPPORT $43,970,804

Revenues:Medicaid $3,691,471Client Fees $76,539Rental Income $507,674Interest Income $16,265Special Events, Net of Expenses $58,389Other $202,935

TOTAL REVENUES $4,553,273

TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUES $48,524,077

EXPENSESPreschool $40,786,573Community Services $5,436,683Drug Abuse Prevention/Treatment $2,950,537Housing $2020,898Pension Related Changes ($1,918,658)

TOTAL EXPENSES $49,276,033 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS ($751,956)NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR $8,600,461

NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $7,848,505

A MESSAGE FROM CAO BOARD PRESIDENTA New Beginning (Colossus)

Give us your tired, your poorYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free.The wretched refuse of your teaming shore.Send them [all], the Homeless, tempest-toss to me…

Emma Lazarus

Dear Friends:

Little did we envision, a half century ago, that our programs and services would have expanded from ‘fighting the war on poverty’ and now extended to educating children and families; employment and job readiness training; drug abuse research and treatment; and providing housing assistance and ancillary family services. Over the years, we have learned that the forgoing are the latent (hidden) effects of poverty and we, the willing, must focus our energies, strengths, talents and resources in providing for the less fortunate in our community. To much is given, much is required.

As fortune favors the bold, and as we celebrate 54th year of services to the citizens of Erie and Niagara Counties, the Community Action Organization of Western New York (CAO) will boldly embark on several new changes and initiatives. Change does not come easy; sometimes it comes with resentment and trepidation. In the words of President Obama, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek”.

Now that we have positioned ourselves as community change agents and servant leaders, the CAO, along with our community partners and volunteers, will continue to be in the forefront of “fighting poverty one action at a time” to ensure a brighter future for our constituency.

To God, who continually empowers us to be good stewards of his gifts, and to all of you, who continue to help us fulfill our mission – Fighting Poverty One Action at a Time, we say THANK YOU!!!

Craig D. Hannah

Fighting Poverty One Action at a Time

Fighting Poverty One Action at a Time#100Actions

100 ActionsEducational Advancement

A number of zip codes in the City of Buffalo have extremely low high school and higher education graduation rates. There is a direct correlation to rates of unemployment, crime and

poverty when this data is looked at simultaneously.

CAO provides diapers and formula to over 500 infants/toddlers each day in Erie and Niagara County through their Early Head Start program.

1Head Start provides over 2 million meals a year that includes breakfast, lunch and snacks.

2

Head Start provides comprehensive early child development services to 2,718 children in Erie and Niagara County.

3There are over 30 Head Start/Early Head Start Academies across Erie and Niagara County.

4

Initiatives like Head Start help children across Erie and Niagara counties get a head start in life.

5 CAO serves over 2,700 infants and toddlers in Erie and Niagara counties.6

CAO has 33 Early Head Start and Head Start Schools in Erie and Niagara counties.7 CAO has 12 child care provider partner

schools in Erie and Niagara counties.8

In 2017-2018, CAO opened two new 21st Century Community Learning Century programs: PS. #61 Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction and Stanley Makowski ECC #99.

9In 2017-2018, CAO expanded STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Activities for children via Engineering for Kids.

10

100 Actions Educational Advancement

A number of zip codes in the City of Buffalo have extremely low high school and higher education graduation rates. There is a direct correlation to rates of unemployment, crime and

poverty when this data is looked at simultaneously.

CAO’s Youth Services department serves over 2,500 school-aged youths and families a year across the region through a holistic approach to grow and develop young people of Erie and Niagara County by promoting self-sufficiency.

11 In 2018, almost 500 youths enrolled in CAO’s Youth Services.12

Each year, 15 scholarships ranging from $500-$1,000 are provided to graduating seniors across WNY by CAO’s Education Task Force.

13The Head Start program helps about 25% of the 3-4 year olds in Erie and Niagara Counties who are at or below the poverty line.

14

CAO supports Minority/Women Business Enterprises in WNY.15

CAO provides 210 children with a 6-week, full-day summer camp experience to prevent their summer learning slide loss.  

16

CAO exposes more than 900 high school juniors and seniors to 55 collegiate institutions.

17CAO provides 765 students with 36 weeks of positive youth development programs.

18

50 children increased scholastic success in academic, athletic, or social skills by participating in the CAO CBMI (Community Based Mentoring Initiative).

1985 Students received direct access to representatives awarding scholarships and financial aid for college education at the Annual Scholarship Fair.

20

100 Actions

CAO organized 20 new block clubs in low-income communities serving 300 residents.

2180 registered Block Club Organizations now have access to services such as the creation of  newsletters, agendas, flyers and grant applications thanks to CAO.

22

4 community resources centers throughout Erie County provide CAO programs and services that promote self-sufficiency.

23CAO developed 10 partnerships to improve public safety and the neighborhoods appeal.

24

CAO received $450,000 to support rehabilitation activities for 11 homeowners in Erie County through the HOME local Program.

25New Venture Housing assisted 41 low income homeowners with home repairs, allowing them to address health, safety, code violations and energy modifications.

26

CAO provided assistance to over 45 low-income home renters that allowed them to either remain in their homes, locate affordable housing or prevented foreclosure for homeowners.

27CAO has developed 60 units of low-income to moderate housing units in their St. Martin Village complex.

28

CAO provided 40 advocacy efforts for state and federal funding for commercial corridor neighborhood improvements.

29 CAO’s New Venture Housing program preserved or improved 25 homes.30

NeighborhoodRevitalization

Erie County has a median household income of around $51,247, so assuming at least 20% of that income is withheld from paychecks, the median income earner would have $33,997 to

spend or $2,833/mo. If that median income household required three bedrooms for their family, the average of $959 in rent cost/month would equal nearly 34% of their monthly income,

excluding costs for gas, electric and insurance. Housing for such families, including utilities and insurance could easily consume 50% of their household income.

100 Actions

20 CAO clients received a free home energy audit by Prime Time Energy to improve energy efficiency in their homes.

3135 CAO clients received emergency rental were assistance with first month’s rent, past due rent, or past due mortgage payment to prevent foreclosure.

32

CAO provided 20 individuals with First Time Home Buyers workshops featuring realtors, banks, and credit counselors.

3320 home owners received a $30,000 grant to make repairs for health, safety and code violations on their homes through CAO’s New Venture Housing program.

34

CAO partners with over 40 government agencies, faith based groups, human service organizations and local businesses to identify services and resources for individuals to thrive in their community.

352,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities received services to increase their independence.

36

CAO provided 50 small business owners with support service and information.37

35 houses were renovated through CAO to improve neighborhood stability in high-poverty areas.

38

120 homes received better weather insulation and window replacements in 2018 though CAO.

39CAO collaborates with local organizations and elected officials to improve student commitments and academic outcomes.

40

NeighborhoodRevitalization

Erie County has a median household income of around $51,247, so assuming at least 20% of that income is withheld from paychecks, the median income earner would have $33,997 to

spend or $2,833/mo. If that median income household required three bedrooms for their family, the average of $959 in rent cost/month would equal nearly 34% of their monthly income,

excluding costs for gas, electric and insurance. Housing for such families, including utilities and insurance could easily consume 50% of their household income.

100 Actions

CAO distributed more than 67,000 lbs. of food to 4,000 families throughout Erie and Niagara counties.

41Over four dozen Erie County residents volunteered over 700 hours for the Community Action Angels.

42

CAO distributed over 2,200 toys, school supplies and personal care items to low-income families.

43

With the assistance of The John R. Oishei Foundation, CAO distributed more than 500 boxes of food to underserved, rural, low-income families, seniors and individuals through our privately funded Mobile Food Pantry and Emergency Home Food Delivery Programs.

44

As a member of the WNY Holiday Partnership, CAO distributed toys and holiday gifts items to over 1,000 children 18 years old and under.

45In a CAO Customer Survey, more than half of the respondents felt their self-sufficiency improved and over a third said their income improved due to CAO’s services.

46

70 community members were trained on how to grow and sustain suburban and urban gardens.

47Through CAO, 50 Seniors receive socialization services at our community centers including prepared meals and transportation.

48

Through CAO, 50 Seniors remain living independently due to receiving needed services.

49Through CAO, 50 Seniors obtained access to either reliable transportation or obtaining a driver’s license.

50

EconomicEmpowerment

11 of the 53 most economically distressed communities in New York State are in Erie and Niagara Counties, 9 of them are in the City of Buffalo.

100 Actions

5000 rides were provided to seniors for medical appointments, prescription pickups and grocery shopping, through CAO and their partnerships.

51 In 2018, there were 37 youth summer job placements.52

800 CAO clients received services based on their own individual, family or household needs.

53CAO established and/or maintained 24 partnerships with private or faith based groups.

54

CAO established 61 partnerships and/or collaborations to promote access to Emergency Services

55CAO provided 150 individuals with workshops/training on Disaster Prep, Fire Prevention, Health and Safety Awareness and Financial Literacy.

56

CAO provided assistance to 50 families who were dealing with challenges and completed a family development plan.

571,600 individuals received essential items through the Community Action Angels of CAO.

58

200 participants received school supplies through Community Action Angels of CAO.

59 1400 Community Action Angels of CAO participants received hygiene kits.60

EconomicEmpowerment

11 of the 53 most economically distressed communities in New York State are in Erie and Niagara Counties, 9 of them are in the City of Buffalo.

100 Actions

115 of CAO consumers over the age of 65 established and maintained an independent living situation.

6185 CAO consumers with disabilities maintained an independent living situation.

62

CAO collaborates with the Community Health Center and the Primary Care Development Corporation to improve low income residents’ access to primary and preventive care.

63CAO connects homeowners to the Erie County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

64

CAO’s Fresh Food Fridays initiative provided more than 1,200 individuals with access to fresh produce and healthy eating education.

65CAO organized community outreach events benefiting over 5,500 individuals and families.

66

Through the CAO’s advocacy with the Primary Care Development Corporation, the Community Health Center received a $1.5 Million low interest loan to relocate its primary service operation to the much larger former St. Frances hospital location.

67CAO’s DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program provides medication assisted treatment to over 530 consumers across the 8 counties of WNY.

68

CAO’s DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program is one of only four medication assisted treatment programs located in WNY.

69CAO’s DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program assisted over 50 consumers obtaining employment over the past year.

70

CommunityHealth

73 percent of the Erie County Department of Health clinic patients come from zip codes in the City of Buffalo. Within these zip codes, the socioeconomic status is much lower than the county

as a whole, leading to significantly poorer health outcomes. Where poverty is most prevalent, poor health outcomes are the greatest.

100 Actions

CAO’s DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program assisted 20 consumers with medication treatment that eradicated their Hepatitis C diagnosis.

71In 2018, the CAO helped more than 46,000 people through its DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program, employment and training program, housing program, and many more.

72

The DART (Drug Abuse Research and Treatment) program maintained its operating capacity of 530 CAO consumers.

73CAO Sports P.L.U.S. (Partners in Learning and Urban Sports) program serves boys and girls ages 8-15 residing in the City of Buffalo who are in the lowest poverty zones of our community.

74

175 CAO consumers were referred to other CAO services or partners to address their employment, education, health care and emergency needs.

75CAO provided 500 individuals with access to fresh food and education about healthy eating, increasing neighborhood quality of life.

76

CAO assisted 200 individuals with free tax preparation, which resulted in a total of $250,000 in refunded Federal and State dollars.

771,100 youth improved their physical health and wellbeing by participating in exercise and fitness through CAO.

78

200 community residents volunteered to coach or act as ‘team mothers’ resulting in 30,000 volunteer hours through CAO.

79CAO maintains partnerships with several local service agencies, employment resources, and employers to achieve the goal of full employment for individuals.

80

CommunityHealth

73 percent of the Erie County Department of Health clinic patients come from zip codes in the City of Buffalo. Within these zip codes, the socioeconomic status is much lower than the county

as a whole, leading to significantly poorer health outcomes. Where poverty is most prevalent, poor health outcomes are the greatest.

100 Actions

CAO assists businesses with their hiring and recruiting needs through job fairs, customer recruitments, human resource services and job service workshops.

81CAO’s College Prep Program focuses on mentoring and counseling underrepresented high school students.

82

In 2018, 144 individuals were placed in jobs after receiving job readiness education, career coaching, or interview skills training through CAO.

83 CAO sponsored 6 Job Fairs.84

CAO provided 25 individuals with 20 computer literacy training sessions.85

125 low-income youth received information on educational and training placement opportunities through CAO’s College Prep workshops.

86

CAO connects block clubs, parents, schools, and businesses – improving the character of the community.

87CAO strengthens the positive forces impacting the lives of children and families in WNY by developing business opportunities to anchor our communities.

88

CAO’s College Prep program provides parental guidance for FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), career exploration, summer youth employment, and high school and college internships and more.

89CAO’s College Prep program provides assistance with FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), college applications, scholarships, grants and college tuition.

90

WorkforceDevelopment

Unemployment in the Buffalo metropolitan area is a slightly more serious problem than in most U.S. regions of comparable size. The jobless rate for Erie and Niagara counties was 4.1 percent in

December 2018, .4 percent worse than the national average of 3.7 percent for that month.

100 Actions

CAO’s Employment and Training program strives to help families as well as individuals improve the quality of their lives through programs and services that support their emotional and financial well-being.

91CAO STEPS (Strategies to Empower Personal Success) Employment and Training Division provides support to job-seekers while simultaneously working to help them move toward self-sufficiency.

92

In 2018, STEPS (Strategies to Empower Personal Success) partnered with Bryant and Stratton College to offer CAO employees an opportunity to take a free, credit-bearing college course at CAO headquarters. Over 20 CAO employees participated, earning 66 credit-hours and a Certificate of Completion in Human Services.

93300 individuals received job readiness education, career coaching or interview skills training through CAO’s STEPS (Strategies to Empower Personal Success) Employment and Training Program.

94

100 low-income youth received assistance with completing their college applications, scholarship application, financial aid application through CAO’s Employment and Training - College Prep Program.

9575 low-income youth pursued post-secondary education and/or training through College Prep assistance with college, scholarship and/or financial aid application(s).

96

CAO’s workforce has grown to over 800 employees serving 46,000 individuals and families annually.

97

30 Summer Youth Workers committed 2,300 hours to receive on the job training for professional development, building healthy business relationships, working with children, and handling classroom management.

98

30 Youth received leadership training.99CAO computer labs boast 8-10 units at each of our 4 locations so residents can research, apply for jobs, take online courses, workshops, and test-prep.

100

WorkforceDevelopment

Unemployment in the Buffalo metropolitan area is a slightly more serious problem than in most U.S. regions of comparable size. The jobless rate for Erie and Niagara counties was 4.1 percent in

December 2018, .4 percent worse than the national average of 3.7 percent for that month.

Directory of Programs

COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF WNY, INC.Headquarters

45 Jewett Avenue, Suite 150 • Buffalo, NY 14214716.881.5150 • caowny.org

Program AdministrationCatherine M. Roberts, MBA, NCRT, Senior Vice President • croberts@caowny.org

Alphonso “RAFI” Greene Jr.Masten Resource Center716.332.3773Samuel L. Radford, III, Directorsradford@caowny.org

DART Clinic716.884.9101Kenneth Bossert, Directorkbossert@caowny.org

Employment & Training716.881.5150Tiffane Ingram, Directortingram@caowny.org

Sports P.L.U.S.716.881.5150Demeris Johnson, Directordjohnson@caowny.org

Head Start Administration716.878.0220Phyllis A. McBride, Administratorpmcbride@caowny.org

Emergency & Family ServicesCAgrO Urban Argiculture716.881.5150Brandi L. Haynes, NCRI, Director bhaynes@caowny.org

New Venture Housing716.881.6543Robin Young, Directorryoung@caowny.org

Youth Services716.881.5150JoAnna Rozier-Johnson, Directorjrjohnson@caowny.org

Special Events & Media716.881.5150Yvonne Hairstonyhariston@caowny.org

Data & Assessment716.881.5150Janice Machowski, NCRI, Managerjmachowski@caowny.org

Center Services716.332.4381

Follow Us on Social Media @caowny

Directory of CAO Outreach Centers

ALPHONSO “RAFI” GREENE JR. MASTEN RESOURCE CENTER1423 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211 • 716.332.1009

Samuel L. Radford, III, Director • sradford@caowny.org

ANGOLA COMMUNITY CENTER251 N. Main Street, Angola, NY 14006 • 716.549.6382

Beth Jamalkowski • bjamalkowski@caowny.org

JFK COMMUNITY CENTER114 Hickory Street, Buffalo, NY 14204 • 716.332.4554

Catherine M. Roberts, MBA, NCRT, Senior Vice President • croberts@caowny.org

PRATT WILLERT COMMUNITY CENTER422 Pratt Street, Buffalo, NY 14204 • 716.852.1671

Catherine M. Roberts, MBA, NCRT, Senior Vice President • croberts@caowny.org

EDWARD SAUNDERS COMMUNITY CENTER2777 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215 • 716.332.4381

Catherine M. Roberts, MBA, NCRT, Senior Vice President • croberts@caowny.org

ST. MARTIN VILLAGE COMMUNITY ROOM564 Dodge St. Building 400, Buffalo, NY 14208 • 716.881.6543

Robin Young, Director • ryoung@caowny.org

Directory of CAOHead Start/Early Head Start Sites

1461 Academy1461 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14209716-878-0220 / F: 716-240-9755Head Start Program

1424 Academy1424 Jefferson Street Buffalo, NY 14208 716-878-0226 / F: 716-878-0243 Head Start/EHS Program

Chapel Park Villa Academy 7008 Erie Road Derby, NY 14085 716-947-0064 / F: 716-947-0099Head Start Program

Deck Academy909 Dick Road Cheektowaga, NY 14225 716-630-5912 / F: 716-630-5916 Head Start/EHS Program

Drexel Academy122 Schiller Street Buffalo, NY 14206716-362-8952 / F: 716-362-9844 Head Start Program

Ferry Academy909 East Ferry St Buffalo, NY 14211716-348-3322 / F: 716-348-3330Head Start/EHS Program

Frontier Academy3780 South Park Ave Blasdell, NY 14219 716-828-9297 / F: 716-332-0439Head Start Program UPK

Fruit Belt Academy833 Michigan Avenue Buffalo, NY 14203 716-249-4343 / F: 716-436-3059Head Start/EHS Program

Gates Academy100 Old Maryvale DriveCheektowaga, NY 14225 716-246-1200 / F: 716-322-0421Head Start Program

George K. Arthur Academy2056 Genesee Street Buffalo, NY 14211716-931-5084 / F: 716-931-5365Head Start Program

Gowanda Academy64 E. Main Street Gowanda, NY 14070 716-532-5927 / F: 716-532-2101Head tart Program

Grace Academy1653 Kensington Ave Cheektowaga, NY 14215 716-836-2021 / F: 716-836-4982Head Start/EHS Program

Infant of Prague Academy921 Cleveland DriveCheektowaga, NY 14225716-631-5200 / F: 716-631-7289Head Start Program

King Urban Life Center25 Rich Street Buffalo, NY 14211716-245-6900 / F: 716-464-3563Head Start Program

Langfield Academy175 Oakmont Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 716-833-8337 / F: 716-832-0789Head Start/EHS Program

McKinley Academy245 South Shore Blvd Buffalo, NY 14218 716-827-6750Head Start/EHS Program

Memorial Temple Academy800 Sycamore St Buffalo, NY 14212716-894-0616 / F: 716-893-1706Early Head Start Program

Springville League Academy393 North Street Springville, NY 14141 716-592-2595 / F: 716-592-2597Head Start/EHS Program

St. Agatha’s Academy65 Abbott Rd Buffalo, NY 14220716-823-9757 / F: 716-823-3608Head Start Program

St Hyacinth Academy257 Ridge Road Buffalo, NY 14218716-822-2402 / F: 716-822-0552Head Start Program

St. James Academy500 Terrace Blvd Depew, NY 14043716-681-2625 / F: 716-681-9702Head Start Program

Weinberg Academy2700 N. Forest Rd Getzville, NY14068716-639-3330 / F: 716-568-0951Head Start Program

NIAGARA FALLS HEAD START

9th Street Academy3001 9th Street Niagara Falls, NY 14305 716-304-4500 / F: 716-205-8724Head Start/ EHS Program

Difransesco Academy901 24th Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 716-216-3880 / F: 716-285-8922Head Start Program

Donovan Academy1631 Main Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 716-217-9540 / F: 371-0594Early Head Start Program

Lockport Academy85 N. Adams Street Lockport, NY 14094 716-216-3990 / F: 716-201-1608Head Start Program

Lockport Early Head Start6255 Campbell Blvd. Lockport, NY 14094 Early Head Start Program

Newfane Academy6048 Godfrey Road Burt, NY 14028716-638-9100 / F: 716-778-6860 Head Start/EHS Program

North Tonawanda Academy1135 Oliver StreetNorth Tonawanda, NY 14028716-262-9919 / F: 716-389-2257Head Start/EHS Program

Ready to Grow Academy300 Hyde Park BlvdNiagara Falls, NY 14303716-285-8561 / F: 716-304-5343Early Head Start Program

HOLY CROSS HEAD START

Central Academy89 Military Road Buffalo, NY 14207716-875-1506 / F: 716-875-1567Head Start Program

Dewitt Center Academy368 Dewitt Street Buffalo, NY 14213716-424-0571 / F: 716-424-0574 Head Start Program

Holy Cross Academy150 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201 716-852-8373 / F: 716-854-7046Head Start Program

North Buffalo Academy203 Sanders Road Buffalo, NY 14216 716-464-7771 / F: 716-464-7773Head Start Program

Northwest Academy155 Lawn Avenue Buffalo, NY 14207 716-877-5022 / F: 716-877-4910Head Start Program

Parkside Academy169 Sheridan-Parkside DriveTonawanda, NY 14150716-876-1001 / F: 716-876-2305 Head Start Program

CENTER SERVICES & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTThe Center Services Department oversees center management and neighborhood-based programming at four community resource centers throughout the City of Buffalo and Erie County which include the Edward A. Saunders Community Center, JFK Community Center, Pratt-Willert Community Center and the Southtowns site located in Angola NY.

Center Services provides neighborhood access to CAO programs and services through our information and referral process. In addition, our community resource centers serve as a host for a myriad of programs designated to help move individuals and families towards self-sufficiency and success. These programs include, but are not limited to, the following:

SENIOR SERVICE PROGRAMMING:Our Senior Program provides a daily healthy lunch program, field trips, health and nutrition presentations and educational information sessions among a host of other activities and initiatives. We also provide transportation services which include rides to and from doctor appointments, light grocery shopping, post office stops and trips to local pharmacies. Senior programming is available Monday - Friday from 10am - 2pm at our Edward Saunders and Pratt-Willert locations.

COMMUNITY COMPUTER LABS:Our computer labs boast 8-10 units at each location and are equipped for residents to research and apply for jobs and gain access to online courses, workshops and test-prep. Additionally, residents young and old can obtain assistance and training for all of their technology needs such as conducting searches for information online, making updates to a resume, homework assistance or completing an online application.

NEW GYM & WEIGHT ROOM:This program year, the City of Buffalo installed a brand new gym floor at the Edward Saunders Community Center. A fully-furnished weight room was also donated thanks to our partnership with our Sports P.L.U.S. program and the generosity of the GronkNation Foundation.

The Head Start/Early Head Start Policy CouncilWould like to congratulate the

CAO OF WNY, Inc.On 54 years of successful work

in Western New York

DIVISION OVERVIEW:The primary goal of the Emergency & Family Services Division of the Community Action Organization of Western New York is to assess and provide short-term assistance to individuals and families during an emergency or crisis that threatens their ability to maintain basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter. The program provides information, referrals and financial assistance (based on budget available) to eligible households, following an assessment and in accordance with our emergency assistance guidelines.

Emergency Services focuses on the following areas:

• Nutrition Assistance & Healthy Eating Education Programs (Food Pantries, Emergency Home Food DeliveryProgram and Fresh Food Fridays)• Baby Needs Pantry• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program• Holiday Toy Assistance• Emergency Preparedness Training• Financial Literacy Training & IDA Savings Program• Case Management• Household Establishment Program (provides eligible families with household necessities such as furniture or appliances after relocating from a from a transitional housing shelter)• Community Outreach, Intake & Referral Network (pairs income qualifying area residents with available services that are available throughout Erie County)• Assistance with applying for local programs and services including: Food Stamps, HEAP, Weatherization, WIC, Daycare, TANF, Temporary Assistance, School Meals, Unemployment Insurance and Health Insurance

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Within the past program year, the Emergency & Family Services Division has:

• Secured over $230,000 in in-kind donations and administered over $500,000 in grant funding.• Distributed over 61,000 lbs. of food to nearly 3,400 families and individuals through the various CAO nutrition assistance programs with the assistance of the John R. Oishei Foundation and the FeedMore WNY.• Provided approximately 150 individuals with access to workshops/training on Emergency Preparedness, Fire Prevention, Health and Safety Awareness and Financial Literacy. • Provided access to human needs services to more than 2,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities in order to help them maintain an independent living situation. • Partnered with over 75 government agencies, faith based

EMERGENCY &FAMILY SERVICESBrandi L. Haynes, NCRI, Director

Nationally Certified ROMA (Results Oriented Management & Accountability) Implementer

organizations, human service agencies and local businesses to identify programs, services and resources and expand outcomes for our customers.• Screened over 660 Erie & Niagara County residents for eligibility for programs and services offered through the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance as well as the Office of the NYS Comptroller for Unclaimed Funds.• Hosted/partnered on 49 community outreach events for low-income families benefiting over 5,500 low- income individuals and families.• Provided more than 1,270 individuals with access to fresh produce and healthy eating education through our Fresh Food Fridays initiative sponsored in part by Wellcare.• Assisted Erie County residents with obtaining approximately $170,000 in Federal and State income tax refunds at no-cost through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. • With the recent addition of a new Case Manager we have been able to provide emergency assistance to over 50 low-income families in crisis situations within the past few months.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:We are currently looking forward to officially launching our CAO Mobile Market, a food truck delivering fresh produce to some of our area’s most underserved communities thanks to a grant provided by the General Mills Foundation and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

COMMUNITYACTION ANGELS Brandi L. Haynes, NCRI, Director

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:The Community Action Angels Program is dedicated to assisting The Community Action Organization of Western New York in their efforts to meet the needs of the low income and the disadvantaged population by providing volunteers that will bring to this agency resource from the community to meet those needs.

The Angels program sponsors several year round community initiatives including: Holiday Toy Assistance, senior food giveaways, School Supply/Backpack Giveaway and Haircuts for Kids. EMERGENCY SERVICESMOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM:In an effort to broaden the reach of our nutrition assistance initiative, the Mobile Food Pantry program provides easy access to services within the most impoverished and underserved communities. Currently operating inside of the Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority Resource Center as well as the JFK Community Center in Buffalo. In addition to receiving food, each family has access to all other CAO services or programs and services offered through or partnering agencies. A CAO Family Development Credentialed case worker who through strength based analysis, will assist each individual in meeting their needs, which often include, but are not limited to: assistance with obtaining clothing, medical insurance, prescription assistance, WIC, SNAP, flu shots, dental health, diabetes testing, child care, HEAP, furniture assistance, mental

health assessment, budgeting and financial literacy education, free tax preparation and emergency home repair assistance. Each family is screened for work supports provided by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) using the OTDA My Benefits analysis as well as the Office of the New York State Comptroller’s Unclaimed Funds website. ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHIN THE PAST PROGRAM YEAR:• With the assistance of the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Emergency Services/CAA has distributed nearly 500 boxes of food to low-income families, seniors and individuals residing in underserved rural communities through our privately funded Mobile Food Pantry and Emergency Home Food Delivery Programs.• As a member of the WNY Holiday Partnership, Emergency Services/Community Action Angels distributed toys and holiday gift items to over 1,000 Erie & Niagara County youth ages 0-17.• Organized dozens of community residents to donate several hundred hours of their time volunteering for the Community Action Angels Program at community outreach events and county-wide initiatives.• Distributed over 7,500 essential items to low-income individuals and families (these include toys and holiday gift items, hygiene kits, school supplies and more.)• Hosted our first CAO in the Community Day to celebrate National Community Action Month. Hosting over 300 residents and students of the Central Park community.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:

With the constant need for assistance throughout Erie & Niagara Counties, the Community Action Angels Program is always looking ways to expand our programming. We are actively seeking funding opportunities to make this happen.

CAgrO GREEN ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTERBrandi L. Haynes, NCRI, Director Our urban farm provides high nutrition organically-grown produce to individuals who happen to be low-income / low-access on the East Side of Buffalo. With 2 acres of growing beds, we are able to provide much needed fresh produce for our food pantry consumers at LBJ apartments every week throughout the growing season. Our outreach also extends to residents of St. Martin Village, Gethsemane Manor, businesses, and families which are located adjacent to the farm.

In partnership with local groups, we train individuals in many aspects of urban farming, from saving seeds, to harvest, to small business development. Site development, soil testing, and business planning are components that we are able to lend out expertise to create more urban farms and place more urban farmers at jobs and entrepreneurial startups in the City of Buffalo.

What is Development?Development is not the same as Fundraising. Development is the process of creating and enhancing relationships with (potential) donors. It is the introduction of (prospective) donors to a non-profit organization, building their interest in the organization’s mission/services, developing in them a passion for the mission and a commitment to the organization’s future, so that they will continue to support the mission.

What is Fundraising?Fundraising only addresses the “giving” aspect of the process. It is the actual gift itself. The Development process should result in having an individual want to give … feeling good about giving because s/he wants to advance the mission and services, that’s a desired result of the development process.

Development OfficeThomas Kane, Vice President, Development

Our operation maximizes the use of free natural local inputs. We use a rain catchment system for watering. When possible, we use compressed soil blocks to reduce our dependence on plastic growing containers. Our use of locally sourced compost reduces our carbon footprint, and our use of Olivine sand in all of our growing mixes sequesters carbon from the atmosphere as it weathers. We completely avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, growing everything organically, and our growing beds are benefited by using wide rows of grasses and legumes growing between each bed as a source of fertilizing mulch, and a home for beneficial insects. ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHIN THE PAST PROGRAM YEAR:• Secured a grant award from the Ralph Wilson Foundation to build an educational greenhouse to provide inner city youth with a quality, STEM based urban agriculture focused afterschool program.• Awarded a Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) Spark grant to purchase a smartboard for the educatinal greenhouse to provide a hands on, state of the art learning experience. • Secured a Seed Grant from FeedMore WNY to assist with capacity building and expanding our program. • Provided hundreds of pounds of fresh, organically grown, locally sourced produce free of charge to our CAO food pantry customers with a retail value of over $5,000.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:

We are currently in the process of expanding our program operation. We are partnering with a local organization to construct a state of the art 2,200 sq. ft. green house which will be used to provide inner-city youth with a comprehensive, STEM-based after school program focused around urban agriculture and hydroponics growing. This facility will also allow us to have a year-round growing season, therefore increasing the amount of produce available for distribution through our CAO Mobile Market Truck and food pantry program and improving our impact on the health and well-being of community residents.

DART - DRUG ABUSE,RESEARCH & TREATMENTKenneth Bossert, DirectorPROGRAM PURPOSE:The CAO DART Program was established in October 1971 as a multi-modality treatment clinic designed to treat individuals addicted to opiate drugs through the provision of a variety of rehabilitative services and through linkage with other human services providers. Methadone has a long history of treatment efficacy and scientific reliability among the many current forms of drug treatment available. The program encourages and facilitates productive life style changes.

ELIGIBILITY:Prospective applicants must verify a history of at least one year of opiate use. Applicants must also be at least 18 years of age. Referrals are confidential and can be made to a member of our intake staff, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours (8:00am-4:00pm).

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:The DART Program continues to respond to the emerging needs of our consumers through an ongoing process of assessing strategic outcome indicators, soliciting input from our consumers and all stakeholders and developing best practices. We continue to respond proactively to New York State’s transition to managed care for all our Medicaid recipients. This paradigm shift will influence the types of services we deliver, how we evaluate outcomes and in turn bill for services.

NEW VENTURE HOUSINGRobin Young, Director

PROGRAM PURPOSE: Housing instability causes an economic domino effect. Often the attempt to prevent the loss of housing leads to additional hardships as families struggle to pay bills and feed their families. The CAO recognizes the need to provide resources that ensure housing stability. We strive to provide resources that offer homeowners and renters with the most beneficial resources to ensure housing security.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:New Venture Housing has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal (Affordable Housing Corporation) to provide home repair grants to homeowners of low-to-moderate income. Funding is expected to provide home repair grants to 30-35 low-income homeowners.

We were also awarded $450,000 from the Housing Trust Fund Cooperation (HOME LPA) program to provide home repair to senior and disabled homeowners residing in the Masten District.

In order to provide a more comprehensive home repair program, New Venture Housing partnered with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Green and Healthy Homes Initiative. Additional grant funds of up to $10,000.00 may be available for eligible homeowners participating in our program.

Our United Way Emergency Food and Shelter Program grant award for 2018 was $28,399.00. We were able to provide grants to forty-six individuals and families seeking homeless prevention services.

EMPLOYMENT & TRAININGTiffane M. Ingram, Director The CAO Strategies to Empower Personal Success (S.T.E.P.S) Employment and Training Divisions mission is to be the community’s connection to employment and training opportunities that will lead to self-sufficiency. STEPS reduces the cost of an employer’s search for the best candidates by utilizing our FREE comprehensive services including individual case management, career counseling, skills assessment, job readiness, and soft-skills training. The community’s needs directly impact the value of these services. STEPS coordinates job fairs, the recruitment of industry specific applicants, referrals of qualified applicants, as well as summer youth enrichment and employment. As a core division of the agency, the CAO STEPS Employment and Training Division provides support to the job seeker, while working to move them towards self-sufficiency.

The Employment and Training College Prep Program provides high school students with access to information, training and resources to help them pursue a post-secondary education. It also offers support to participants with obtaining summer employment, securing paid and unpaid internships and career exploration.

The Learn Earn & Achieve Program known as L.E.A.P operates from July through August. This program is in conjunction with the City of Buffalo’s Mayor Summer Youth Program. Youth between the ages of 14 and 21 are employed in the six-week summer program. This year we are connecting youth with various entrepreneurs who grew up right here in WNY and have chosen to keep their business here, giving them valuable insight on starting a business and giving back to the community. Summer employment gives youth a firsthand work experience, while developing skills that will last a lifetime.

As we continue to build partnerships with companies throughout the area, future directions include hosting job fairs and “Meet the Employer” sessions. We plan to collaborate with trade organizations to recruit and train prospective candidates for the industry at hand, right now. Construction & welding are on the rise in our region, introducing this to our community would give individuals the skills needed to work in these industries.

Our Affordable Housing Corporation award of $750,000 from the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal gave us the opportunity to award grants to twenty-seven homeowners for home repairs in the Masten Park District.

We received $150,000.00 from the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal-RESTORE Program. Seventeen seniors were assisted with home repairs.

Lastly, our Community Housing Improvement Resource Program (CHIRP) continues to support homeowners looking to lower their energy costs. By utilizing the NYSERDA program, homeowners can identify strategies and additional resources to lower their energy usage and save money on utility costs.

SPORTS P.L.U.S.Demeris Johnson, Director

PROGRAM PURPOSE:The CAO Sports P.L.U.S. program was formulated to create a youth sport and recreational culture. Our mission is to produce student athletes on a mission to achieve success both academically and athletically. The concept behind SPORTS P.L.U.S. is partners in learning and urban sports. Too often, there is a divide between the two that limits the experience for the athletes. We strongly believe in, “The Power of Sport and Recreation.”

Sports has the power to impact the lives of athletes and parents in many ways. Our student athletes are impacted spiritually, educationally, socially and athletically by the culture created in the Sports P. L.U.S. program.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Since the inception of our Sports P.L.U.S. program, great things have taken place within the lives of the youth sport community. We are in our sixth year of rewarding the teams that qualify academically and athletically to compete in Orlando, Florida for the youth football national championship. Currently, we have won 7 championships with our Sports P.L.U.S. organizations. In December of 2018, the Beast Elite Ducks joined the winners circle by dominating the National Championships in two divisions.

TRIPLE A INITIATIVE (ACADEMICS, ATTENDANCE, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT):Under this initiative, our participants are required to have no unexcused absences, and demonstrate the proper attitude and positive behaviors that help to promote academic success in a school environment. Any violation of the policies under this initiative results in suspension from youth sports activity. This helps to foster the STUDENT FIRST mentality we are creating in the minds of our student athletes. We have received an overwhelming response from Buffalo Public School administration and teachers, as they welcome our initiative with open arms. Many of the teachers are grateful to have the CAO as a partner in helping to create a better learning environment.

SAAV (STUDENT ATHLETES AGAINST VIOLENCE):Sports P.L.U.S. takes a very direct approach to curb the violent activity that youth may be engaged in throughout the school year. The SAAV initiative has enabled us to bring great awareness to the anti-violence movement within our community. We are currently into our third year of bringing awareness to the anti-violence message to our student athletes. For the past two years, we have increased the number of community organizations that have expressed interest in partnering with our anti-violence initiative. The Buffalo Police Department has participated with us by coming out throughout the season to speak to the student athletes about ways to avoid violent situations and other anti-violence methods.

MORE THAN AN ATHLETE MENTOR PROGRAM:This initiative has quickly become the focal point of the program. The More than an Athlete Mentor Program develops our athletes to not only become a thriving student, but to focus on life after sports. We guide them through the process of mapping out their personal and professional endeavors in addition to a career in sports. Sports P.L.U.S. is training students to take responsibility for educating, edifying and developing the skills to compete in the marketplace. Overall, our goal is to concentrate on developing their primary gifts as well as the necessary skills to thrive in the current economic age. We believe this will help them overcome any obstacles and encourage them not to be denied future success.

HEAD START/EARLYHEAD START PROGRAMPhyllis A. McBride, Administrator

PROGRAM PURPOSE:The Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start Program is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children from age three (3) to age five (5) through the provision of educational, health, mental health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Head Start principles include comprehensive services; parent engagement and community partnerships. Early Head Start, another one of CAO’s core programs, is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, to enhance the development of very young children, and to promote healthy family interactions.

CAO Head Start/Early Head Start’s approach to service delivery is based on its Prime Directive (a roadmap to excellence) to provide exemplary, comprehensive and impactful services to our pregnant women, young children and families in a cooperative, collaborative and nurturing environment with dedicated, competent, qualified staff and community partners that will empower our families as they become self sufficient.

ELIGIBILITY:Head Start/Early Head Start provides comprehensive services to age and income eligible children and families. Income guidelines are established annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. Families who receive TANF, SSI, participate in the foster care system and/or are homeless are categorically eligible for the program. CAO Head Start/Early Head Start provides services to a minimum of ten (10%) percent of children with disabilities; services are provided in Head Start/Early Head Start locations in Erie and Niagara Counties.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Continue to serve to over 2,700 children/families in Erie and Niagara Counties in 33 Head Start/Early Head Start schools and in 14 child care provider schools• Collaboration with UB Smile Team and Community Health Center of Buffalo for oral health needs• 8th Annual CAO Head Start/Early Head Start Family Dance• 2nd Annual CAO Head Start/Early Head Start Family Dance in Niagara County• 8th Annual Head Start/Early Head Start Olympics for children and parents at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium• 2nd Annual Head Start/Early Head Start Olympics for children and parents at Veteran’s Park, Niagara Falls, NY• $15,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Western & Central New York• Collaboration with Homeless Alliance

• Collaboration with Every Person Influences Children (EPIC)• Collaboration with Lackawanna and Frontier Universal Pre-K• Expansion of EHS services in Lackawanna, NY

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:• To create an Early Learning School System that exemplifies excellence while providing each child with foundational strategies to achieve educational greatness and become strong outstanding citizens in our communities.• To create educational and employment opportunities within the Early Learning School System for the purpose of building a strong and compassionate educational army to ensure excellence• To establish the Early Learning School system as a laboratory hub for local colleges and universities to provide a scientifically evidenced and systematic success model for the 2,718 families served by CAO of WNY• To create career paths for the Early Learning School System employees and to provide unique individualized training challenges designed to thwart attrition and solidify a strong competent work force• To solidify educational and social service dominance in the Early Learning School System Erie and Niagara counties• To provide families with transformational programming that leads to self sufficiency

ALPHONSO “RAFI” GREENE, JR. MASTENRESOURCE CENTERSamuel L. Radford, III, DirectorMASTEN RESOURCE CENTER The CAO Masten Resource Center continues in its mission of being a valuable community resource to the residents of Western New York, providing a full range of services to include, but not be limited to, a computer lab, copy, fax and print services, video conferencing, youth activities, cultural events and audio/visual media communication resources to include social media live streaming. MRC is regularly utilized for meeting space by our community partners such as the Tradition Keepers, Kwanzaa Committee, Dorie Miller Club, Prisoners Are People Too, Masten Block Club Coalition, Jes Breathe, Umoja Inc. and the WNY Peace Center, to name a few. BETTER SCHOOLS BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS The CAO and PathStone Enterprise Center, Inc. (PECI) continues to offer technical support and assistance to entrepreneurs through our Business Development Series, offered three times a year, in twelve-week sessions. We also offer financial literacy sessions and access to business financing opportunities for individuals and families in low-income neighborhoods. When entrepreneurs write a solid business plan and can demonstrate the viability of their business, PECI can offers loans between $5,000 to $50,000 for start-up businesses and up to $250,000 for an existing business. Since its inception, 104 individuals have graduated from our Business Development Series.

Another program initiative is the Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace (YEM) which fosters the entrepreneurial mindset in youth ages 5-21 years old. This program provides young entrepreneurs with fun opportunities to learn about personal financial skills and basic business concepts. In addition, participants have the opportunity to vend in safe spaces around the city to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and products. With these experiences and the support of our facilitators and community stakeholders, we hope to develop a new generation of self-sufficient business owners. PARENT EMPOWEMENT As part of the BSBN program, we have been working to develop parent leadership within Buffalo public and charter schools. We provide ongoing training to the BPS District Parent Coordinating Council and the WNY Charter Parent Council. Additionally, we have been awarded an Equity Partnership grant from the Education Trust of New York to advocate for:

• Reduction of school suspensions• Educator equity to increase the number of minority teachers • Advance placement course access for middle and high school students in Buffalo Schools BLOCK CLUB DEVELOPMENT This program year, BSBN is working with community partners in the neighborhood surrounding the King Urban Life Center to develop the East Side Family and Educational Development Campus. One of our roles in the collaboration is the formation of a recognized, neighborhood association. The primary focus of this initiative is to build stronger, self-sufficient households, and to build self-empowered communities. BSBN has been working with local and neighborhood organizations to forge a strong base of shared expertise and community involvement. The adopted shared goals are crime reduction, nuisance complaint reduction, graffiti removal and prevention, and redirecting youth away from street groups into activities involving caring adults. In addition, the Campus will foster opportunities for neighbors to collaborate on home maintenance and neighborhood revitalization projects, community gardens and other self-help activities. Our goal for the East Side Family and Educational Campus is to serve as an anchor for community residents and our local partners that are committed to the restoration of this neighborhood and initiative. Together, we want to help stabilize and unite neighborhoods to reduce crime, increase safety and continue to beautify underserved communities, one block at a time.

YOUTH SERVICESJoAnna Rozier-Johnson, Director

EDUCATION TASK FORCE:A collective unit of educators, administrators and corporate partners whose mission it is to encourage,recruit and assist students with exploring post-secondary education options.   As a function of the Youth ServicesDepartment, the Education Task Force annually produces a minimum of two major events:  (1) College Day inSeptember and (2) Scholarship Fair in February, providing a base for us to award valuable scholarships to deservingstudents interested in pursuing a higher education.

• 10 Scholarships offered to graduating seniors across WNY.

21st Century Community Learning Center @ Arthur O. Eve #61, Early Childhood Center #17, Stanley Makowski #99 and @ McKinley High School

These programs provide students with a non-traditional way of learning through play in a school setting through various activities such as: academic enrichments, digital beat making, graphic design, cooking club, photography, fitness, exploratory field trips and much more.

We serve youth in grades K-4 and 9-12.2018-2019 Accomplishments:

• Recognized in the National Scholastic Magazine, in partnership with Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction, BPS #61, for our sponsorship of the first Book Vending Machine in Buffalo, NY.

• 21 st CCLC @ ECC #17 successfully expanded to serve Pre-K students for the first time.

• 21 st CCLC @ Arthur O. Eve started a drill team for the 2nd -4 th graders and competed in the NYS Drill &Step Competition (Drill –A-Rama) winning 3rd place.

• 21 st CCLC @ McKinley HS competed in the NYS Drill & Step Competition (Drill –A-Rama) winning 1stplace, Best Captain, Best Dressed and Most Outstanding.

• 21 st CCLC @ Edward Saunders and ECC #17 were accepted to participate in a project with NASA.

NURTURE ACADEMY & SUMMER CAMP:These after school programs & Summer Camps provide a safe place for families to send their children after school to receive assistance with homework help, improve academic performance and to participate in cultural/character enrichment. The camp is 6 weeks with at least 1 field trip. We serve youth in grades K-8.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY:This program operates 6 weeks in the summer and allows youth to engage and learn the fundamentals of becoming a great leader, participate in developmental activities including: community service projects, cultural field trips, book clubs and recreation. We serve youth in grades 6-8.

DEPARTMENT SUCCESSES:• 570 Youth served in After School Programs

• 1 Youth Services Counselor enrolled for School Aged Care (SAC) credential

• AmeriCorps Partnerships

• MWBE Partnerships

DEPARTMENT WISH LIST:• Donors for our $1,000 Education Task ForceScholarships

• Recurring donors to sponsor continuedsupport for ETF Scholarship recipients

• (2) New 15 Passenger Vans

• Increase funding sources to lower the tuitionfor our summer camps.

Mon 3PM-4PMWed 9AM-10AMFri 9AM-10AM

Living for the People

2019 CAO EDUCATION TASK FORCESCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Md Farhan AhmedFrederick Law Olmsted School

Barry AlphaBurgard High School

Shama IslamCity Honors School @Fosdick Masten Park

Juliet M MartinezEmerson School of Hospitality

Lay Dia SayHutchinson Central Technical High School

$1,000 Awardees$750 Awardees

Madison Edwards Newfane High School

Dahre LayHutchinson Central Technical High School

Quincy A MylesCheektowaga Central High School

Grace NsabimanaHutchinson Central Technical High School

Maliha Rahima Leonardo Da Vinci High School

Mon 3PM-4PMWed 9AM-10AMFri 9AM-10AM

Living for the PeopleSun 8:30AM-9AM

World of Community ActionMon 10AM-11AM

Living NowSat 11AM-12PM

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The Community Action Organization continues to be a dedicated champion for the residents of Buffalo and Erie County, providing valuable resources to our community including employment training, drug abuse research and treatment, housing assistance and educational opportunities. The work performed by CAO positively affects thousands of lives and helps spread opportunity to every person in our region.

MAYOR BYRON W. BROWN | BUFFALO, NY

45 Jewett Avenue, Suite 150 • Buffalo, NY 14214Office: 716.881.5150 • Fax: 716.881.2927 • caowny.org

To promote opportunities for low-income individuals, families and communities to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services and low-to-moderate income housing development.

OURMISSION