2012 Fall

urban times V O L U M E

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I S S U E

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contents Workshop Schedule . . . . 2 Housing First. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Project Homeless Connect 2012 . . . . . . . 3 Hope Gardens . . . . . . . . . 3 Partner Schedule. . . . . . . 3 Thank You! . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Tasha’s Recipe Corner. . .4 Crossword. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 i n s u pp o r t

Donation Form. . . . . . . . . 5 Volunteer Form. . . . . . . . . 5

Contact us to help raise money for an outreach van!

upcoming events Trunk-or-Treat

Tu e s day, Oc t o b e r 3 0, 4 : 0 0 – 6 : 0 0 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!

Halloween Dinner

W e d n e s day, Oc t o b e r 31 , 3 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

Join us for dinner at the Urban Diner by Friends of Night People on Halloween! If you wear a costume, you’ll receive an extra ticket for our Halloween basket raffle!

Housing Fair

Tu e s day, N ov e m b e r 27, 2 : 0 0 – 4 : 3 0 p. m .

Looking for affordable housing opportunities? Come to our Housing Fair, where various housing agencies will be on hand to help you with your housing needs. Information will also be available on programs that help with things like weatherization and home improvement!

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our mission

ac t i v i t i e s & Events

contributions

F A L L

Thanksgiving Dinner

We dn e s day, Nove m b e r 21 , 3 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 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!

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

M at t U r ba n H o pe C e n t e r

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.

U r ba n D i n e r

by F r i e n d s o f N i g h t Pe o ple

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.

Activities & Events Workshop Schedule Housing Workshops

Are you looking for new housing? Please register to attend one of the Hope Center’s Housing Workshops.

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: Tu e s day, Oc t o b e r 9, 1 : 0 0 t o 2 : 0 0 p. m .

Tu e s day, Oc t o b e r 2 3 , 1 : 0 0 t o 2 : 0 0 p. m .

Tu e s day, N ov e m b e r 1 3 , 1 : 0 0 t o 2 : 0 0 p. m .

Tu e s day, N ov e m b e r 27, 1 : 0 0 t o 2 : 0 0 p. m .

Financial Fitness Workshops

Get financially fit! The Hope Center offers Financial Fitness Workshops that will help you create a household budget and stick to it, answer your questions about personal finances, and help you build or repair your credit. Upcoming Financial Fitness Workshops are scheduled for the following dates: Tu e s day, Oc t o b e r 1 6 , 3 : 3 0 t o 4 : 3 0 p. m .

Tu e s day, N ov e m b e r 2 0, 3 : 3 0 t o 4 : 3 0 p. m .

Housing First housing first luncheon

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n Friday, October 26, 2012, all Housing First clients are invited to attend a special luncheon from noon to 2:00 P.M. We will provide food, great company, free prizes and raffles, and valuable services. If you would like to open a bank account, obtain identification, or get a copy of your credit report, Citizen Bank and Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Buffalo will be there to help you. For more details about this event, talk to your Housing First case manager.

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Job Search Workshops

Does your search for a new job need a boost? Try participating in one of the Hope Center’s Job Search Workshops for help with your resume, cover letter, interview skills, and search for job openings. Upcoming Job Search Workshops are scheduled for the following dates: M o n day, Oc t o b e r 1 , 3 : 3 0 t o 4 : 3 0 p. m .

Tu e s day, N ov e m b e r 6 , 3 : 3 0 t o 4 : 3 0 p. m .

Nutrition Workshops

Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables will be presenting information on how to shop healthy on a budget and prepare healthy foods for yourself and your family.

Each Nutrition Workshop includes a recipe demonstration with free samples and giveaways for participating!

Upcoming Nutrition Workshops are scheduled for the following dates: F r i day, Oc t o b e r 5 , N o o n t o 1 : 0 0 p. m .

F r i day, N ov e m b e r 2 , N o o n t o 1 : 0 0 p. m .

F r i day, D e c e m b e r 7, N o o n t o 1 : 0 0 p. m .

Utilities Workshop

Tired of high utility bills? Want your home to be warm and comfortable this winter? Come and learn about smart energy use, how to lower your utility bills, and how to keep your home comfortable this winter!

Thu r s day, Oc t o b e r 1 8 , n o o n t o 1 : 3 0 p. m .

Lead Paint Workshop

Enjoy a free dinner from the Urban Diner while you learn how to keep your family safe from the dangers of lead poisoning!

F r i day, Oc t o b e r 2 6 , 3 : 0 0 t o 4 : 0 0 p. m .

Not Your Garden Variety Gnome

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or Jeff S., known as the “Gnome on the Street,” life certain hasn’t been a rose garden. Instead of in a bed of roses, Jeff slept under a bridge near the train station. Before that, he lived for a time in a storage locker, until he was seen and reported. Jeff describes that situation as “affordable” and “not too bad” because even though there was no heat, he was in “some kind of shelter.” Jeff was housed directly from the street through the Housing First program for the chronically homeless. Nowadays, things are definitely coming up roses. Jeff has remained housed in his apartment on the West side of Buffalo. After spending some time in the job development program, he has been hired on a part-time basis by one of our partner agencies with prospects for more hours in the future! Congratulations to Jeff on his success!

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Hope Gardens Coming Soon!

Partner Agencies Schedule

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Project Homeless Connect Buffalo 2012 n Thursday, September 13, the WNY Coalition for the Homeless hosted Buffalo’s fourth annual Project Homeless Connect event at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Project Homeless Connect provides a wide array of services in a one-stop location for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This year’s event served over 600 individuals.

The Matt Urban Hope Center was at the event again this year, assisting clients with their housing needs and assessing clients for other needs that the Hope Center might be able to help them with. The Hope Center team set up a mini-office in the middle of the exhibit floor, complete with a copy machine, laptops, forms, files, and other supplies, so that that they could help as many clients as possible on the spot!

These agencies visit the Hope Center on a regular basis and provide free services. We encourage you to take advantage of these programs while they are in your neighborhood!

Ag e n cy N a m e

Sch e du le d Ti m e

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

Alianza Latina, Inc.

2 n d & 4t h M o n days 2 : 3 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

HIV testing

Evolation Yoga

F r i days 1 : 0 0 – 2 : 0 0 p. m .

Free yoga classes

Planned Parenthood of WNY

2 n d & 4t h W e d n e s days 3 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

GYN exams, birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, STI & HIV testing, pregnancy testing, cancer screening

UB Educational Opportunity Center

3 r d Tu e s day 2 : 3 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

Information about educational and training programs offered at EOC

Veterans’ Services Goodwill Industries of WNY

Thu r s days 3 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

Job search for veterans

Family Justice Center

3 r d W e d n e s day o f e ach m o n t h 3 : 0 0 – 5 : 0 0 p. m .

Services for victims of domestic violence and their children

MOCHA

1st & 3rd Tu e s days 3 : 0 0 - 5 : 0 0 pm

HIV services

Fidellis Care

L a s t Thu r s day o f e ach m o n t h 3 : 0 0 - 5 : 0 0 pm

Health insurance services

New Supportive Housing Program for Chronically Homeless Women

he Matt Urban center has been awarded $3.6 million from the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance Program, and $1.6 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to build a new home for 20 chronically homeless women. Each of the women will enjoy their own furnished studio apartment and on-site laundry facilities while living in a supportive community environment.

Hope Gardens will offer breakfast and dinner in the main dining room, as well as movie night and other fun activities. Case managers and counselors will be available to assist residents achieve their individual goals.

The building also surrounds a garden which will be designed by the residents and enjoyed by all.

The garden will include a variety of spices, vegetables, fruits and flowers. The garden will be available to residents 24/7 for those who prefer a midnight stroll, or those who enjoy the fresh fragrant air of early morning.

We are very excited about this new project and hope to see it come to fruition by spring of 2014.

However, despite our good fortune with funding, we still have a small short-fall.

If you would like to help the Hope Gardens meet its fundraising goal of $25,000, please contact Karen Carman, Homeless Services Coordinator at 716-893-7222 extension 301.

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Contributions Thank You!

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his month, we would like to thank Chrystine Tedeschi for volunteering enthusiastically at the Hope Center! Chrystine volunteers every Friday afternoon answering phones, providing counseling to clients, helping out in the Urban Diner, and working on a variety of projects in the office. Chrystine brings a vibrant personality and positive attitude with her every week, and is a true blessing to both clients and staff. Thank you for everything you do, Chrystine!

Urban Diner by

crossword Puzzle e v e n t s & wo r k s h o p s AC ROSS

1. Get help finding an affordable place to live at this workshop.

3. Learn how to eat healthy on a budget at this workshop.

6. Bring your kids trickor-treating at this fun Halloween event.

7. Find out how to lower your energy bills this winter at this workshop.

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ta s h a’ s R e c i pe C o r n e r

Shepherd’s Pie

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ant to make a delicious meal in a single dish? Try this meal my grandma used to make for us!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season and fry your meat to your taste. Prepare your mashed potatoes and have those set aside. Spread ground beef out on the bottom of a square baking dish.

Then cover the meat with cheese to create two layers.

Next, mix the can of corn with the mashed potatoes and spread the mixture on top of the cheese layer. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with a slice of bread and a glass of Kool Aid! Ingredients: 1.5 lb. ground beef 1 can corn 1 16 oz. box mashed potatoes .5 lb. American cheese

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1. Talk to various agencies about housing opportunities at this event.

2. Learn how to keep your family safe from lead poisoning at this workshop.

4. Improve your resume and interview skills at this workshop.

5. Learn more about budgeting and credit at this workshop.

POETRY

“I Cry”

By A l a n n a h S i m s I cry thinking about the day I die.

I cry thinking what am I here for.

I cry ’cause I cry.

I cry for the bad sins inside of people.

I cry for my uncle’s lives.

I cry for my friends who lost their special ones.

I wish to cry no more.

But I cry for sorrow, I cry for anger.

I’d hate to cry for long.

But I must cry to let it all out.

I cry for you, you cry for me. ’Cause that’s the way love’s supposed to be.

I cry for my mother, cry for my sister.

Yes, I even cry for my brothers.

You people know how I’m feeling inside.

So why must you tease me; taunt me.

For I cry for the hurt inside.

I cry cause you act dumb.

You cry cause you want some.

Well I know why I cry.

And I cry for the pain inside.

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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 shelters, or to help them move into their new homes.

Sponsorship Opportunities □ Formerly Homeless Job Development Worker

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

No. in Group

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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: