Hope Center Newsletter October 2014

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I S S U E

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F A L L

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our mission

contents

Education Schedule. . . . 2 Staff Spotlight. . . . . . . . . 2 Thank You Corner. . . . . . . 2 Essentials Pantry. . . . . . . 3 Partner Schedule. . . . . . . 3 Tasha’s Recipe Corner. . .4 Food Pantry. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 In Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

UPCOMING EVENTS Nights of Impact

Friday, September, 19 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Friday, October 17, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Friday, November 21, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Please join us for a night of dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, and more! All activities and content are family-friendly, so bring the kids! Thank you to DJ Henri Tee for leading these fun-filled nights!

Trunk-or-Treat

Thursday, October 30, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Bring your children to our safe trick-or-treating alternative! Children will get to trick-or-treat from trunk-to-trunk of decorated vehicles. Other activities will be available for kids, such as hay rides, face painting, and a pumpkin patch!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Wednesday, November 26, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Join us for dinner at the Urban Diner by Friends of Night People on the day before Thanksgiving for our special Thanksgiving meal! You’re sure to find all of the traditional trimmings!

Matt Urban Hope Center 385 Paderewski Drive 893-7222, ext. 310 MAT T URBAN HOPE CENTER FUNDERS & PARTNERS

The Matt Urban Hope Center responds to the needs of the community by hosting family-focused events, informative workshops, free tax preparation, benefits screening, housing and job assistance. We assist individuals who are homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless, families suffering from domestic violence, loss of income, no utilities, and eviction.

Additionally, we serve dinner five times per week which is open and free to the community.

info

Matt Urban Hope Center

385 Paderewski Drive Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 893-7222 ext. 310 Hope Center Hours

Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Urban Diner

by Friends of Night People

Dinner Hours: Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Food Pantry

1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of every month 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

FALL 2014 Community Education Schedule Affordable Housing Workshops

Are you looking for new housing? Belmont Housing Resources for WNY offers free Housing Search Workshops at the Hope Center! These workshops explain different types of subsidized housing that are available and how to apply, give tips on locating an apartment, and answer other housing related questions. Upcoming Housing Workshops are scheduled for the following dates: Tuesday, September 16, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 21, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 18, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Credit Report Assistance

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Buffalo will be available to help you print your credit report and review it with you. This is a valuable service for anyone who wants to monitor, build, or improve their credit.

Thursday, September 18, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 16, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 13, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Fair Housing Trivia Nights

Housing Opportunities Made Equal will provide a fun trivia game for everyone during dinner in the Urban Diner! Learn more about your housing rights and responsibilities!

Monday, September 22, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Monday, October 27, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Monday, November 24, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

All community education programs are held at the Matt Urban Hope Center at 385 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212. Please call (716) 893-7222, ext. 310 to register.

Thank You Corner

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he Hope Center would like to thank Ingram Micro for their ongoing support!

In September, a group of Ingram Micro employees came to the Hope Center and cleaned up our grounds, maintained our flower beds and vegetable garden, and planted flower bulbs that will bloom in the Spring! Thank you for your hard work! Our flower beds are going to be very colorful and cheerful this Spring! Several other groups of employees from Ingram Micro are also

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Staff Spotlight

Amanda Frank

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elp that women and children receive at Hope House continues to be available to them after they leave the emergency shelter that opened in June. Amanda Frank, the Hope Center’s after-care specialist, works with people who move on from the shelter to ensure that they have the public benefits and other resources they need to not become homeless again.

“They tell me what they need and what they want to work on and together we do what they want to do next,” Amanda said. “It’s everything from making sure they have utilities, food stamps, appliances and furniture to helping them get what education, child care and medical care they need. I make sure they know they’re not alone.”

Amanda is pleased that some of the people who have stayed at Hope House have expressed an interest in returning to volunteer helping others at the shelter.

“It’s just nice to hear their feedback and their good ideas,” she said. “We’re off to a good start and they are helping to make it even better.”

For Amanda, this work marks a return to the Hope Center. She was a student intern here in 2012, before she left to work in Matt Urban’s Senior Services department and to complete her master’s degree in social work at the University of Buffalo.

“I fell in love with the Matt Urban Hope Center as an intern. This is a great team of people who are making a difference and stepping up to make great things happen.”

– Peter Warn

planning to support the Hope Center with various volunteer activities in the near future. Some will be working on the redevelopment of our Food Pantry, and others will be assisting with our annual Trunk-or-Treat event. We are excited that Ingram Micro has partnered with us and we truly appreciate all of the support! Thank you!

he lp t he h ope c e n t e r: volu n t e e r or don at e today ! 893 -7222 e x t. 310

Program Spotlight

Hope Center Essentials Pantry

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oon there will be more on the Hope Center pantry’s plate than food. The staff is gearing up to offer also a variety of free personal care and household products, including toothpaste, diapers, shampoo, toilet paper and laundry, dish and body soaps.

“Research shows this helps with nutrition because low-income people don’t have to make hard decisions between buying food and buying things to keep themselves and their households clean,” said Amanda Frank, who is directing the launch of the new program.

“Anyone in need will be eligible.

It already takes enough courage and strength to come in and ask for help so we want to make it as easy as possible.”

The Hope Center plans to begin the program, the first of its kind in Buffalo, on Tuesday afternoons starting in mid-September. The center is working with PEP Partnership, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit organization that began the initiative in Madison, Wis. and is working to make it available nationwide.

Partner Agencies Schedule Ag e n cy N a m e

Buffalo Employment and Training Center Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network Buffalo Public Schools Community Access Services Cornell University Cooperative Extension Fidelis Care Goodwill MOCHA Center Neighborhood Health Centers Planned Parenthood of WNY UB Educational Opportunity Center Wellcare

Hope Center members encourage churches, schools, community organizations and individuals to donate items. Other products the pantry will offer include all-purpose household cleaner, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, tampons, napkins, liners, baby wipes, diaper rash ointment and garbage bags.

– Peter Warn

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hese agencies visit the Hope Center on a regular basis and provide free services. Take advantage of these programs while they are in your neighborhood!

Sch e du le d Ti m e

S e rv i c e s Off e r e d

Last Thursday, 12:00-2:00

Employment and Job Training

3rd Monday, 2:30-4:30

Prenatal and Parent Support

Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00

GED Preparation Programs

3rd Thursday, 3:00-4:30

HIV Testing and Services

3rd & 4th Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00

Health & Nutrition

Mondays & 4th Thurs., 3:00-5:00

Health Insurance

Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30

Veteran Employment Services

Last Tuesday, 3:00-5:00

HIV Testing and Services

3rd Thursday, 3:00-4:30

Health Care

2nd Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00

Reproductive Health Services

1st Tuesday, 12:30-2:30

Adult Education & Training Programs

3rd Monday, 2:30-4:30

Health Insurance

learn more at urbanctr . or g and

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Urban Diner by Tasha’s Recipe Corner Sweet Potato Pie Ingredients:

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2 cups peeled, cooked sweet potatoes 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 stick melted butter 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 cup milk 9-inch unbaked pie crust 3 egg whites

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For the filling: Using an electric mixer, combine the potatoes, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, salt, and spices. Mix thoroughly. Add the milk and continue to mix. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Program Spotlight

Hope Center Food Pantry

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he Hope Center Food Pantry ushers in a fresh new way of doing things, giving more control to our clients. When the food pantry opened at the Hope Center, the traditional model of pre-selecting food items and packaging them for clients was the method of distribution. The items and quantities would be similar to what was given to another client. This way of doing things placed all or most of the control in the hands of the pantry workers.

This often also led to clients receiving food that was not wanted, preferred, or even permissible due to their dietary restrictions.

A new model is now in place at the Hope Center Food Pantry called “Client Choice.” Many people do not have the resources to take advantage of shopping markets. The new method allows clients – who meet preset income guidelines, or who find themselves in an emergency – to visit the pantry as they would a grocery store. After signing in, the client takes a basket or bag and then chooses items from each section of the pantry.

Each section has colored labels which indicate the num-

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ber of items each person is allowed (based on the size of the family). Once the individual has all of their items, a staff member will assist in bagging the food. The new Client Choice method allows people to have more freedom and opportunity over what food they consume in times of need. This is important not only for giving people more independence but it also ensures that less food is wasted.

If an individual receives pre-packaged food they don’t prefer or cannot eat, that food will likely go unused. This is food that another client may have preferred or needed. Additionally, a client will usually only take a few items they need, as opposed to the maximum number of items allowed. Not only does a client know what they like, but also what their family members like. It best serves them if they have the opportunity to choose from what is available at the pantry. With the Client Choice method we’re seeing the Food Pantry supply last longer, which allows us to assist more individuals.

The pantry is open on Tuesdays for the first three weeks of each month from 1:30-4:30p.m. and the last Saturday from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Individuals living in the 14212 zip code is eligible to visit the pantry. Anyone living in a different zip code will be assisted by a staff member in finding the closest pantry in their area.

– Andon Ticco

he lp t he h ope c e n t e r: volu n t e e r or don at e today ! 893 -7222 e x t. 310

In Support

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he Hope Center is always in need of volunteers and donations to help us continue to support the families and individuals in need in the Broadway-Fillmore district. We are a 501(c) organization, so all of your donations and services are tax-deductible! Checks can be made payable to “The Matt Urban Hope Center.”

d o n at i o n s i g n - u p

Yes, I would like to donate to the Hope Center!

Most Wanted Items These items are common, but indispensable:

□ Socks □ Soap □ Blankets □ Toilet Paper □ Deodorant □ Underwear □ Dishes □ Sheets □ Blankets □ Small Appliances □ Gift Cards

Major Items □ Outreach Van

The homeless outreach team is in need of a van to transport clients to and from the shelter, or to help them move into their new homes.

Sponsorship Opportunities □ Formerly Homeless Hope Works Participant

Sponsor one homeless individual in a job activity for one year. The goal of the program is to prepare individuals for employment. a n n ua l c o s t pe r pe r s o n : $ 2 ,0 0 0

□ Housing First Bowling Team

This therapeutic activity allows Housing First participants to bowl on a monthly basis for one year. a n n ua l c o s t pe r t e a m (o f f i v e ) : $ 2 , 4 0 0

□ Funshop

Funshops allow us to educate clients in a fun, creative environment.

Prizes, materials, decorations, and refreshments. c o s t pe r e v e n t: $1 0 0

vo l u n t e e r s i g n - u p

Yes, I would like to volunteer for the Hope Center!

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e are in need of volunteers for the Urban Diner, at Funshops, to sort donations, to answer phones and to do clerical work, or to join a fundraising committee. If you would like to lend a hand, we can find a way for you to help!

Name Email

Phone

Address

Group/Organization

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, NY PERMIT #1180

Help the Hope Center: volunteer or donate today!

Call 893-7222 ext. 310

Most Wanted:

Socks Soap Blankets Toilet Paper nt DeodoDrisa hes

Underwear

Sheets Blankets Small Appliances Gift Cards

de si gn & pre sen tat i o n d o n at ed by: