The main event will take place at 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 with the Buffalo Fire Department holding a special activity. At 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. special guest readers Marilyn Ballard & Laura Cardenas from the Child Care Resource Network will read “Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten” and do a fun activity while discussing what the children think kindergarten will be like. This will be held at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201 in the Day Care Wing.

The theme this year is Early Years Are Learning Years and throughout April 23rd–27th, 2012 various Youth Advocates will read their favorite stories to children at The Belle Center. In addition, there will be a Week of The Young Child Parade, Family Swim Day, (Ice-cream Social open to public 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. April 26, 2012), fun give-away items and more.

Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The week-long celebration provides an opportunity for early childhood programs across the country, to hold activities that bring awareness to the needs of young children and the programs that meet those needs. Laurie Beck, Early Childhood Director at The Belle Center said: “This week is a special time to recognize that it is our responsibility as child care providers, parents, caregivers and the community to provide every child with the best tools to succeed in life.”

During this special week it allows participants to reflect on the importance of children's experiences in their early years, while building learning and literacy skills that will continue on with them as they grow. The ultimate goal at The Belle Center is to have each day care child cross the stage in their cap and gown and receive their college degree, enroll in the military or learn a skilled trade in order to advance in life.

The “Journey to College” workshop will take place at 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 26th, at The Belle Center 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201. Bonner Scholars students and staff will participate in high impact service with members from the Young Heroes and Buffalo AmeriCorps programs at The Belle Center. Growing out the workshop will be three days of service March 26-28th; When Bonner Scholars students will serve in the Buffalo community working to sweep-up and beautify some local community gardens and tutor/mentor students in the after-school programs at The Belle Center.

With the culmination of Women’s History Month, many of the young women from the Bonner Scholars Program who are first generation college students will get to reflect, while creating a history of their own. They will share their stories on service and higher education with youth at The Center who are ages five through sixteen that plan to be first generation college students in the future.

The importance of attending college and graduating is heavily emphasized to youth in all programs at The Belle Center-a non-profit on the Lower West Side of Buffalo that bridges the gaps to success for children and families. Youth at The Center are taken on college visits and taught the importance of serving and giving back to the community by taking part in meaningful service projects throughout the year.

Daytuan Antonetti-Young Heroes program Director and coordinator of this service initiative said: “We are honored to have all the Bonner Scholars Program volunteers join us, as they share their experiences concerning service and education with our youth. We are doubly honored to serve while acknowledging the end of Women’s History Month. It is through the sacrifices, long-suffering and endurance of women that makes our nation so great!”

The Bonner Scholarship program at Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH assists students who have a commitment to community service with financial support for college. Students volunteer and work on various service projects throughout all four years of college.

The Buffalo Warriors donated fifteen customized uniforms that closely resemble their own to their understudies, “The B.C. Warriors”- youth basketball team at The Belle Center. A “Warriors Celebration” will take place 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201. At the event The B.C. Warriors will be presented with customized uniforms by The Buffalo Warriors. In addition, the event will create awareness about how the basketball program transcends hoops and provides mentorship and tutoring to team members.

The basketball program at The Belle Center allows fifteen disadvantaged youth between the ages of 12-15 to become involved in an empowering and structured athletic program. Not only does the program place a demand on the youth to have a commitment to physical fitness, but also to academics. All youth must have a minimum average of 85% in order to play on the team. If they score less than 85% they are provided with the support of a tutor and placed on probation until the requirement is met. In addition, the team encourages parental involvement to increase and strengthen the network of support for youth on the team.

The partnership with The Buffalo Warriors and youth basketball team at The Belle Center-a nonprofit organization on the Lower West Side of Buffalo offers a positive outlet for underserved youth in the City. The Belle Center works daily to improve lives, create opportunities and foster self-sufficiency for hundreds of underprivileged children and families to attain their goals and have success in life.

With the new innovative educational services that The Belle Center now offers, it also boasts a rich history filled with memories of exciting community basketball games on the indoor and outdoor courts dating back to the 1970’s. Buffalo basketball’s best talent played on The Belle Center’s floor! New memories are now being created on these same courts that now have youth bouncing basketballs towards better grades in school and ultimately, success in life. The Belle Center is helping to create the world’s future leaders! “I just love playing basketball, I picked the Warriors over any other team because I like the family aspect of the team and the coaches are teaching me to be more vocal and a leader” said Michael Torres, 14 year old guard for The B.C. Warriors.

The kick-off event to AmeriCorps Week 2012 will take place at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. March 5, 2012 at 425 Normal Avenue Buffalo, NY 14213. During the kickoff, volunteers will help begin renovating the home by rebuilding stairs, removing debris and painting.

A ribbon cutting will mark the official start to AmeriCorps Week 2012 where members will continue to assist rehabbing the home for the day; in addition to, partaking in team building exercises and trainings. The main event will be at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. March 12, 2012 at 425 Normal Avenue Buffalo, NY 14213. AmeriCorps week is a time when a direct focus and awareness is placed on the positive impact of AmeriCorps in communities nation-wide. Members focus on issues such as disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families.

Buffalo AmeriCorps members who have recently earned OSHA 10 certification will help spearhead the beginning of the home rehabilitation. The property to be renovated was donated to a local non-profit-It Takes A Village by United States Attorney William Hochul and Mayor Byron Brown to be transformed into a transitional house.

Once It Takes A Village (I.T.A.V) completes the renovations, the house will serve as a transitional home for females ages 15 to 25 where members will also be able to receive training classes in life skills, work ethics, career placement, construction, social skills, re-entry mentoring, CDL permit / license, Veteran assistance, G.E.D. and more. Some classes are being provided by Erie Community College and Cornell University. "Empowering Communities to take ownership of their neighborhoods fosters unity and reduces crime." said Pamela James-Buffalo AmeriCorps Program Director

'It Takes a Village' Executive Director and Buffalo AmeriCorps member, Beverly Newkirk said, “through building relationships and collaborating with local organizations that have shared missions, allows us to create greater avenues for underserved members in our community to develop self-sustainability.”

For more information about volunteering during AmeriCorps Week 2012 contact: Jacqueline Ornsby, Buffalo AmeriCorps Program Coordinator at (716) 845-0485 extension 224 or jornsby@thebellecenter.org

The “Ball” will take place from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. February 24th, 2012 at the Richmond Summer Senior Center located at 337 Summer StreetBuffalo, NY 14222. The purpose of the event is to “bridge the gap” between our older Senior and younger teenage populations. Seniors will be able to socialize, enjoy light refreshments & dance the evening away with a live D.J. all while being catered to by young men from the Young Heroes program and other youth from programs at The Belle Center.

Daytuan Antonetti- the organizer of this event and program director of the Young Heroes stated: “It’s important that the younger generation learn how to honor and serve our Seniors; they have paved the way for us to be here today and what better way to honor them, than to host a formal ball that promotes love and unity. Our youth will have the opportunity to be fitted, and wear their first tuxedo and we’re looking forward to a memorable evening of fun, sharing and caring with our Seniors and youth.”

The young men catering to the Seniors at the event will be adorned in formal attire, complements of Tuxedo Junction-Walden Galleria location who donated the tuxedo rental costs to the nine underprivileged young men from programs at The Belle Center. “Tuxedo Junction wants every student to look their best for an important occasion like the Senior Ball. At a cost of approximately $110 per tuxedo rental, Tuxedo Junction is happy to donate nearly $1000 to The Belle Center and the youth they serve said Melissa Hallinan-Tuxedo Junction Marketing Coordinator.”

This is a Free event for Seniors Only & Transportation is available by calling 716-845-0485 ext. 204.This event is in collaboration with The Belle Center- Young Heroes and Buffalo AmeriCorps programs, Tuxedo Junction-Walden Galleria location, the Richmond Summer Senior Center, Dorothy Collier Center, West Side Community Services & Others.

The event will take place at 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. February 17, 2012 at The Belle Center located at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY. This inter-generational reading of Dr. Martin Luther King’s the “Drum Major Instinct” will focus around a short, shared text and a set of open-ended, thought-provoking questions that will provide an opportunity for members of the community to engage in a meaningful discussion about public service and civic engagement.

While all the Corps members are preparing for this discussion, one Buffalo AmeriCorps member is especially excited over this celebration that not only allows her to celebrate her African-American ancestry, but that also provides her with the opportunity to contribute value feedback to the Conversation. She is one of the fifty-one Buffalo AmeriCorps members who serve the Buffalo community on a daily basis and an undergraduate Business Administration student at Medaille College. “I think I can learn a lot from the older generation and offer insight about how my generation views Black history and civic engagement. I’m excited to discuss such a profound literary work from 1968 and examine how some of the views in the reading still hold true in 2012,” said Naomi Porter.

The Community Conversations program will be facilitated by Jacqueline Ornsby-Buffalo AmeriCorps Program Coordinator. It will combine over 50 Buffalo AmeriCorps members from diverse age groups and adult members of the community to engage in an afternoon of powerful dialoguing. This event is free and open to the public.

Mayor Byron Brown will be swearing-in the new 53 AmeriCorps members for a brand new year of service at 11:00 a.m. January 30, 2012 at The Belle Center located at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY. A “Future Leaders” service project will follow the ceremony. AmeriCorps members will proceed into the Early Childhood Wing of The Belle Center and read their favorite books and work on a “When I Grow Up Exercise” with the students. This will allow the Early Childhood students to begin thinking about education in greater depth as they work with a Corps member to identify a career goal for their future and artistically design a personalized book with the steps needed to reach their goal.

Throughout the year Corps members will be a part of the Mayor’s Impact Team; working to beautify the City of Buffalo by working in Clean Sweeps, removing graffiti, shoveling snow for senior and disabled citizens, cleaning abandoned lots, and planting flowers and trees. “I wish to congratulate the newest members of the Buffalo AmeriCorps Program for making a vigorous but vital commitment to a year of service in the Buffalo community,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “A few weeks ago, we remembered America’s great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who stood for service. Buffalo AmeriCorps members have always delivered on their promise to help and serve those in need, be it through my Mayor’s Impact Team, or tutoring youth. I look forward to working with AmeriCorps’ newest members in the months to come.”

The AmeriCorps program has a major impact on the Buffalo community as it provides vital resources towards socio-economic advancement for members in the community through service. From its inception in 2007, the Buffalo AmeriCorps program has awarded over $500,000 in education awards and over one million dollars in stipends. Members have tutored over 1,000 school-aged children in kindergarten through grade 12, eradicated over 26 miles of graffiti, shoveled snow for 500 senior and disabled citizens and have recruited over 30,000 volunteers to work in low income communities.

Pamela James, Buffalo AmeriCorps Program Director stated- “Having the opportunity to serve the Buffalo community is something that we count as a privilege. We are excited to partner with the Mayor’s Impact Team, and work in Clean Sweeps. We are also enthused about working on our predominate focus which is education- as we help to strengthen and build the capacity of academic programs throughout the City of Buffalo.”

Corps members will be embedded in fourteen community based organizations and local schools. Buffalo AmeriCorps is partnering with such organizations as Buffalo Promise Neighborhood (BPN) and the Westminster Charter School; Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Perry Choice Neighborhoods (PCN) and University of Buffalo; Roswell Park and others.

The MLK Day of Service project will take place at 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. January 16, 2012 at 276 Southampton Street Buffalo, NY 14208. The Belle Center & None Like You/We Care volunteers will assist with scrapping and painting the facility and building an in-door green house. Tools and supplies for the service project are being supplied by The Home Depot Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY location.

On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy prompts community members of all ages and ethnicities nationwide to spring into action and not take a day off, but commit to a day on, by serving and making a difference in the community. Members of the Young Heroes and Buffalo AmeriCorps program’s from The Belle Center are excited to unite in order to help a local organization in need. “Service is a part of our lifestyle at The Belle Center and to get the opportunity to help another non-profit organization’s dream come to fruition on such a historic day as MLK day, makes this project all the more meaningful.” Young Heroes Program Director-Daytuan Antonetti

This eco-friendly renovation project is being performed in dedication to Willie Cantyand N. Massy who are now deceased, but former stakeholders in the Buffalo community. The two men “had a dream” of creating a house big enough to serve and teach members in the community about how to perform internal home improvements and community gardening. Ultimately, plans for this house include: creating a library room, a green house, tutoring/mentoring areas, a workshop area and an outside community garden.

This event will take place 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 20th, at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201. During the event students will participate in fun, festive activities including decorating special holiday cookies with their classmates and parents.

The Belle Center is a multi-purpose community center located on the Lower West Side of Buffalo, NY that provides comprehensive programs and services to the citizens in Western New York. Under the direction of the Executive Director-Nestor Hernandez and staff, the Center is host to over 15 programs and services. The core programs include: The Belle Child Early Child Care Center ages 6 weeks to 4 years old; Universal Pre-Kindergarten age 4; School Age Child Care Program ages 5-12; 21st Century Learning Center ages 13-17 and Buffalo AmeriCorps that has Awarded over $500,000 in Education Awards and over one million dollars in Stipends. Family, Community, Health Programs and Services include: Parent Child Home Reading Program (1.5-4yrs old), ELL/GED classes, Food Pantry, Site Based Mentoring, a community-based alternative to detention program for youth and more.

GO Buffalo is always looking for new volunteers and members, as well as accepting donations of used bicycles and parts. People are welcome to stop by the Community Bicycle Shop at 98 Colvin Avenue Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 10pm, Sundays 1 to 5pm, or call the shop at (716) 320-0193.

This event will take place 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 22nd, at 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201. During the event students will participate in fun, festive activities with their classmates and parents while feasting on a classic Thanksgiving meal and reflecting on what they are most thankful for on this holiday.

Longtime Feed The Children supporter PepsiCo are generously donating products along with Tops Friendly Markets. Buffalo area employees from these companies will donate their time to help distribute boxes of food and products to families.

The Buffalo Dream Center and The Belle Center pre-identified families to receive the boxes. Each family will receive a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items and a box of Avon products. The boxes are designed to help a family of four up to one week.

The distribution is part of Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 300,000 families across the country since it began in 2009.

More than one in three children living in Buffalo (41.7 percent) is at risk of hunger. The number of impoverished children living in New York (881,663) could fill Ralph Wilson Stadium more than 12 times.

"We sincerely appreciate the tremendous contribution by PepsiCo, Tops Friendly Market and their employees to help children and families in Buffalo,” said Tony Sellars, spokesperson for Feed The Children. "Our Americans Feeding Americans project is geared toward people who are still being affected by the economic downturn, including many who until recently considered themselves middle class. A lot of these people for the first time in their lives have not been able to provide for their families and this distribution will provide relief for them at a crucial time.”

To see the impact of Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan in your area visit www.AmericansFeedingAmericans.org .

Feed The Children
Founded in 1979, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Our mission is providing hope and resources for those without life’s essentials. In FY 2010, Feed The Children distributed more than 133 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. For more information, visit www.feedthechildren.org

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 19 different product lines that generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales each. Our main businesses -- Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, and Pepsi Cola -- also make hundreds of other enjoyable and wholesome foods and beverages that are respected household names throughout the world. With net revenues of approximately $60 billion, PepsiCo’s people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo’s promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment, including by conserving energy and water usage, and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support, and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visit http://www.pepsico.com/

Tours are one hour, twice a month at The Belle Center 104 Maryland St. Buffalo NY. To register for The Memorable Experience Tour contact: Michael Szymanski at 716-845-0485 ext. 215 or go to: www.thebellecenter.org/take-a-tour Allow us to have one hour of your time. Take a look below to view just a fraction of the amazing things that are taking place at the Center!

Jocelyn Rivera is a 4th grade student in School Age Child Care (SACC) at The Belle Center. She attends Waterfront Elementary School. Before Jocelyn enrolled at The Belle Center she was failing nearly every subject in school. Today, thanks to tutoring and mentoring by SACC staff, she now has an average of 82! She wants to make the Merit Roll next quarter and we believe she’s right on track to do so!

School Age Child Care works with the parents of the students enrolled in the program. Here is what Jocelyn’s mom had to say when coming to enroll her two children in SACC: “When I first arrived at The Belle Center, I noticed that the building from the outside is very well maintained and is not an eye sore, then I had to be buzzed in (ok, so far so good). Mr. James (SACC Director) explained to me the things that The Belle Center offers and one was assistance with homework, not just seeing if the kids did it, but helping them to better understand what it is that they are working on. School work comes first, there is time put to the side to allow for that and they try and make learning fun. There is also time for play, a reward if you will. Once you have finished your homework without feeling rushed to get it done you are allowed to have fun activities to rest your mind. The kids are also cooked a hot meal before I come and pick them up after I get off work. My kids seem to have a good time there and I see them growing and learning and maturing in ways that I never imagined. Dance, Science, the year book club… the list can go on with the things my children are coming home talking about and a shine on their little faces as they do, makes me as a mom not worry and happy that they are not only being taken care of but also are enjoying themselves.” -Sharon Turner-Rivera
P.S.: We are proud to say that Jocelyn Rivera reached her goal and made the Merit Roll and is now looking to go even further!

The event will take place outside at The Belle Center from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. September 2, 2011 at 104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. During the celebration there will be free food and beverages - hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, entertainment and activities – obstacle course, face painting, games, a live DJ and more.

This event is sponsored by The Belle Center, Buffalo AmeriCorps, Computers For Children Inc., WNY Shares and Best Buy which will also bring the first annual “Gear Up for School” backpack program. This program will supply hundreds of underserved children in grades K-8 with a backpack, schools supplies and other special gifts free of charge. A child must be school lunch eligible and registered by a parent/guardian to receive a backpack. Backpacks will be distributed on two dates: September 1, 2011 at True Bethel Church 907 East Ferry St. Buffalo, NY 14211 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. & September 2nd at The Belle Center 104 Maryland Street Buffalo, NY 14201 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Universal Pre-K program operates alongside the year-round Belle Child Care Center that is open to the public and provides services for children ages six weeks to 12 years old. Before and after school care is also available for students in grades k-5 with some holiday/recess care. Monday thru Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 104 Maryland Street, directly on bus route #29 and 2 blocks from the #5.

The event will take place at The Belle Center from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. July 1, 2011 at 104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. During the celebration students will be adorned in patriotic colors as they make red, white and blue cupcakes. Students will march around the interior and exterior parts of The Belle Center while carrying American flags and makeshift fireworks noisemakers in celebration of their diverse American patriotism.

The event will take place at The Belle Center in the Day Care Wing from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. June 17, 2011 at 104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. During the luncheon students will spend quality time performing activities and presenting their fathers with a special Father’s Day gift.

When asked why he chose to do this mission-Dan stated: "I love a great challenge. I know The Belle Center does too, and that's why I'm undertaking this hike to help raise money for the amazing, life-changing work they do. As someone who works in the field of youth development, I know a quality youth-serving agency when I see one. The programs for children and youth at The Belle Center are some of the most comprehensive and innovative in the entire City of Buffalo. In these tough economic times, more and more non-profit organizations are competing for fewer and fewer funding sources. My hope is that by doing this hike I'll be able raise awareness about The Belle Center's innovative approach to youth work, while helping raise $2,663 - a dollar for every mile I'll walk - to support their programs." Dan a - dedicated “through hiker” has already raised greater than half of the amount before even beginning the trek and now he is looking to not only meet but exceed his donation goal.

The Belle Center has made tremendous growth in the face of widespread cuts at the national and local level - but greater help is needed. Fiscally the operating budget increased from $544,000 (2006) to $1.4 Million (Present) and organizationally it’s maintaining a well-balanced Core of Programs for its Cradle to College model: Belle Center Early Childhood Center, School Age Child Care, 21st Century Learning Center, Portal (Career/College Training Center), Buffalo AmeriCorps (Over last 3 years Buffalo AmeriCorps has award over $450K in educational awards); with new initiatives to provide additional service within Core Program areas including: Parent Child Home Program, Asthma Initiative, SUMO Kids, ELL/GED classes, AIDS Testing, Food Pantry Support and Senior Support Services.

The event will take place at The Belle Center from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. May 6, 2011 at 104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. During the brunch students will present their mothers with a special Mother’s Day potted plant and card.

We are excited about this collaboration between local agencies to give back and share how their organizations help the Buffalo community. During the event 1000 bags of groceries will be distributed to event goers. There will be: Interactive Exhibits from More Than 15 Organizations, a Live Cooking & Urban Farm demonstration, Face Painting & Fun Children’s activities, Special Mother’s Day activities, a Community Cook Out with prizes and more! Free to the community!

This event is serving as a kick-off to AmeriCorps Week 2011. During the event Buffalo AmeriCorps, The Buffalo Dream Centers’ Adopt-a-Block and other volunteers, will perform a spring cleaning of The Belle Center’s neighborhood. They will dispose of debris left over from the long Buffalo winter season.

Sponsors include: The Belle Center, Buffalo AmeriCorps, The Buffalo Dream Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County (Agriculture, Eat Smart NY & 4-H Youth Development Programs), Dietrich Law Firm P.C., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Bremner Food Group, The Witness Project, American Diabetes Association, Asthma Screening Program, Erie County Department of Senior Services, American Heart Association, Olmsted Center For Sight, Independent Health, Catholic Health, Donate Life Upstate NY Transplant Services, American Cancer Society, PUSH Buffalo & more!

The theme for The 2011 Week of The Young Child is: “Early Years Are Learning Years”. The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Today we know more than ever before about the importance of children's learning and development. During this special week it allows us to reflect on the importance of children's experiences in these early years, while building learning and literacy skills that will continue on with them as they grow. Our ultimate goal at The Belle Center is to have each of our day care children cross the stage in their cap and gown and receive their college degree.

Please join us as we plant seeds for success today, for our children’s tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you there.

Students are spending an entire spring break week volunteering on 2 major service projects kicking off with the Buffalo Parking Enforcement Impound Clean Up, a project that will take place at the Buffalo Parking Enforcement Impound, located at 166 Dart Street, Buffalo NY. The project will begin on Monday, March 21, 2011 with hours of operation of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and will continue until finished. Partners include: Mayors Impact Team (MIT), Keep WNY Beautiful, The Belle Center- Buffalo Americorps, Allegany College and Dept. of Public Works.

Students will also serve hundreds of families in the 14201 community working with Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Food Bank of WNY, The Belle Center & Buffalo AmeriCorps for the Food Express Truck supplemental food giveaway. This will take place outside at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 25th, 2011 345 7th Street Buffalo, NY 14201.

We commend these students for seeing the need in our community for volunteer service and springing into action with solutions. When asked why they chose to spend their spring break volunteering Olivia Walter- an Allegheny freshman Biology student stated: “I am coming to Buffalo to be a part of a community that is actively involved in service to others. At Allegheny, I am a tutor at one of the local schools and have participated in many of our “Service Saturdays,” helping organizations in Meadville. I want to extend my dedication to helping others by volunteering my time at The Belle Center and by joining others in serving the Buffalo community.”

If left unchanged, the current language presented in the Resolution, recently passed by the House of Representatives, would mean an immediate, mid-year elimination of all AmeriCorps programs in the nation. Local AmeriCorps members serve through programs run by WNY AmeriCorps, Buffalo AmeriCorps from The Belle Center, and Self Advocacy AmeriCorps, in team-based crews or placed in supportive roles in local schools and non-profits.

Last year, over 800 people served as AmeriCorps members in WNY:

· Delivering over 2.4 Million lbs of food to area pantries to feed local families, enough to feed 316 families-of-four three meals a day for an entire year
· Serving over 40,000 local children, including providing significant tutoring services to almost 10,000 students
· Recruiting over 30,000 WNYers as volunteers, engaging them in over 80,000 hours of service to their community
· Receiving over $1 Million in federal scholarships to continue their education, often in local universities
· Remaining in WNY; encouraging a healthy local economy by retaining citizens while attracting college graduates from outside of WNY

“Hundreds of non-profits, schools, and educational organizations would be damaged by the elimination of AmeriCorps funding in Western New York, with some valuable non-profits possibly left unable to operate. These non-profits provide healthcare services to needy families on the West Side, they feed our neighbors in hard times, they provide a place for the homeless to escape our freezing weather, and they provide education to our children.” said Mark P. Lazzara, CEO of WNY AmeriCorps. “These are not luxuries, these are basic human needs. These are basic human rights.”

“Without the Corporation for National and Community Service the generations to come will be without this essential entity that not only allows them to develop an ethic of service, but be change agents and serve and in their own communities.” Said Nestor Hernandez, Executive Director of The Belle Center. “We must not allow the Corporation for National and Community Service to die; it means too much to the progress of our communities and the nation!”

A flood of initiatives to restore funding to the Corporation for National and Community Service have started across the internet, fueled largely by AmeriCorps alumni. Initiatives include SaveService.org and AmeriCorpsAlums.org as well as facebook movements such as “Stand Up for AmeriCorps.” The “Save AmeriCorps” campaign is also currently the most popular petition on Change.org, with 5-times the number of signatures than the petition to save NPR and PBS funding.

Other youth-service initiatives also risk defunding, including YouthBuild, which is focused on preparing at-risk youth to work as productive members of society in skilled trades.

For more information on the Continuing Resolution, visit http://www.SaveService.org

For more information on local AmeriCorps programs, visit http://www.WNYAmeriCorps.org and http://www.thebellecenter.org/americorps.

Buffalo, New York – February 16, 2011 –Everyday that The Belle Center opens its doors it is graced with the diverse and rich cultures of people from as distant as Burma, Sudan and Puerto Rico, among other abroad and national places of origin.

The Belle Center is uniting in celebration of the many diverse cultures that fill the corridors and classrooms of the Center on a daily basis. At 12:00 p.m. Rita Hubbard Robinson, JD - Director of Community Health Education and Outreach for Erie County Medical Center will present on “Diversity and Inclusion.” International Day will take place at 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. March 2, 2011 at The Belle Center 104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. During the event there will also be various entertainment performances.

The theme of “Diversity and Inclusion” will carry over into our Buffalo AmeriCorps 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 4, 2011 Meaning of Service meeting where Dr. Jack Norton and 31 Buffalo AmeriCorps members will delve into a powerful literary work: Naomi Shihab Nye, Gate A-4.

Whether it’s the north, south, east or west side of Buffalo, a small team of less than 4 AmeriCorps members have been tirelessly responding to the icy task of snow removal.

Daytuan Antonetti-Buffalo AmeriCorps Program Director stated: “Serving is what we do and the smiles on the senior and disabled faces when they are able to safely get in and out of their homes is simply priceless!”
Below are just some of the streets of homes that Buffalo AmeriCorps members have tackled: Barnard St., Madison St., Hewitt Ave., Sycamore St., Bailey Ave., South Hampton Pkwy., Kensington Ave., South Park Ave., Eaglewood Ave., Louisiana St., Lancaster Ave., Pennsylvania Ave., Winspear Ave., Richmond Ave., Richfield St., Hartwell St. and etc.

The Parent-Child Home Program has over 40 years of proven success in improving the IQ assessments of at-risk children and their parents. Children will build early literacy skills-learning about shapes, colors, numbers and other educational concepts that will better prepare them for success in school. Through convenient weekly in-home sessions with trained home visitors, families work on model reading, playing and other literacy activities that not only enhance literacy skills, but strengthen family ties. Families enrolled in the program are given free weekly educational books or toys.

There will be 8 consecutive workshops: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. February 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 2011 at The Belle Center-104 Maryland St. Buffalo, NY 14201. Topics will include but are not limited to: What is your Baby Trying to Say; The Secret Lives of Babies: Eat & Sleep; A Doctor Talk; Read, Baby, Read and more! A FREE Fisher Price Toy will be given upon successful completion of 4 consecutive workshops. For registration information call 716-332-4153.

Buffalo residents are seeing and experiencing the extra assistance as students working with Buffalo AmeriCorps members are springing into action to respond to the Mayor’s 311 snow removal requests. Buffalo AmeriCorps members and Allegheny students are also freshening up areas at The Belle Center and Vive La Casa with new paint.

Allegheny student Katie Beck (freshman, English/Theater major) stated: “I’ve found that Buffalo is the perfect place to understand the meaning of community service. As we confront the mounds of snow to shovel, it seems like an impossible task. But the more hands there are to help, the quicker our improbable goal becomes a tangible solution. Snow may never cease, but neither will the hands willing to help.” We thank the students from Alleghany College for taking the time to come and help serve the Buffalo community.