I’m leaving Buffalo with a much better grasp on community organizing. I’ve learned so much about the importance of building genuine relationships and a coalition of allies to support a network of change. I also have a new love for the city itself (and custard).

Buffalo was a good place to explore and made me want to explore more of my own hometown and community.

It's ok to have many passions. Encourage yourself to explore them and view them as "projects" that will lead you to other passions. There is no need to commit to one sole task for the rest of your life.

It's ok to have many passions. Encourage yourself to explore them and view them as "projects" that will lead you to other passions. There is no need to commit to one sole task for the rest of your life.

I took the high road because people need to have their voices heard in their community. So often, policies are created without listening to those in the community that are being affected. People matter and their voices need to be elevated.

The people united will never be defeated.

I learned a sleuth of skills ranging from running a mobile market to the process of grant-writing. I feel grateful being a jack-of-all-trades this summer and exploring my skills and passions with such an impactful organization.

I learned a sleuth of skills ranging from running a mobile market to the process of grant-writing. I feel grateful being a jack-of-all-trades this summer and exploring my skills and passions with such an impactful organization.

This summer, I learned what it truly meant to take the High Road: serving your citizens and embodying public service. That civic participation and community involvement is imperative for social justice victory

This summer I learned of the importance of developing programs that are person-centered and prioritize long-term sustainability.

This summer, I worked on a directory to help formerly incarcerated people find housing. I researched rental opportunities for Peaceprints’ clients and interviewed landlords to see if they rented to individuals with criminal records. If they did not, I would facilitate dialogue to educate them about Peaceprints’ reentry services.

My most meaningful takeaway is that talking to people in the community, relating to them, and understanding the issues they might face on a deeper level is a very powerful first step to change.

I wanted to gain experience working with public interest organizations, and to see what it is like to be a part of such a great community that is striving for so many different types of change. 

This summer, I was blessed with experiences where I was able to participate in hands-on advocacy and coalition building. I was able to witness the beauty, challenges, and strength of communities and contribute toward real change in the city of Buffalo.

This summer, I was blessed with experiences where I was able to participate in hands-on advocacy and coalition building. I was able to witness the beauty, challenges, and strength of communities and contribute toward real change in the city of Buffalo.

I learned about what community organizing and collation building looks like at the grassroots level. High Roads has reminded me that even when I may feel overwhelmed or exhausted in my struggle for equity and racial justice, I am never alone.

I've learned a lot about city government, and local public policy, as well as coalition building and the history of labor moments, all of which are things I would love to continue to learn about.

Seeing organizations come together to sponsor community-based events such as Shakespearean Idol was extremely riveting and enlightening, affording all of the High Road fellows a chance to see how vested powerful individuals were in the community and turning it into a better place to live, work, and play.

This fellow conducted research and design the structure and role for new District Directors, in collaboration with nonprofit partners, member businesses and the staff of Buffalo First.

 

I learned that Buffalo is going through an immensely difficult transition economically but I definitively believe that in the next couple decades some stabilization and growth will occur especially within the fields of medicine with projects such as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The relationships I developed with community members this summer really made the past 8 weeks ones I will never forget.

I worked on the HSCS Career Exploration team, in conjunction with major health care institutions, to develop an inventory of employment opportunities available, salary range, and experience/education required.

I researched funding for public transit, analyzed the budget challenges of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, continued research and advocacy for reform of the Erie County Holding Center, and supported PPG's work with the City of Buffalo’s Living Wage Commission.

I produced a public forum on community benefit terms in project labor agreements (PLAs), in cooperation with building trades unions and Cornell extension faculty.

I worked with CAC staff and Black Rock residents to identify environmental health threats, research targets for clean-up, and develop related educational materials for residents.

One of the most valuable aspects of living and working with the other fellows this summer has been seeing how we all apply our ILR education in so many different ways, and in particular the many paths we plan to take and have taken despite our similar academic backgrounds.  

I learned the capacity this city has for positive change and growth. Urban areas need a populace that has an investment in their surroundings.

There is such a great community dynamic—everyone is so helpful and friendly, and the people of Buffalo are very committed to fighting to improve their home. It is a beautiful place full of passion for culture.

I conducted research on workers’ centers, and developed training materials on workers’ rights for the worker education component of the center.

I learned how much character and potential the city has. I’ve learned to look at the utility every space could yield.