Buffalo Urban League

Message from the Board Chair and President

This past year has brought challenge and opportunity for the Buffalo Urban League as we continued to fulfill our mission. Our Board of Directors adopted the five empowerment strategies of the National Urban League (described on the inside cover) and a strategic plan which embarks on two initiatives designed to have sustainable impact on stabilizing neighborhoods and reducing poverty. The initiatives will strengthen families, improve educational outcomes and create and enhance economic opportunities for individuals and businesses. It will create a model which can be replicated neighborhood by neighborhood in this community.

The two interrelated initiatives have working titles of “Education Begins at Birth” and “Live Buffalo.” Each of these efforts begins by focusing on a specific neighborhood located in the 14215 zip code where the most significant indicators of need and disparities in economics, education and health exist. The Buffalo Urban League will work in partnership with the many other individuals, groups, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, government entities and educational institutions who share a commitment to making a positive long-term sustainable impact. “Education Begins at Birth” is a multi-generational approach to address the family and education issues that impact the future success of children and families. It will integrate services from the birth of a child through to adulthood to ensure each child is able to achieve their full potential. “Live Buffalo” is a comprehensive community and economic development focus where the housing, business, employment and safety needs of residents will be addressed by revitalizing, stabilizing and developing housing, businesses and employment opportunities.

Throughout the last year, the Board, volunteers and staff have found ways to improve and increase service. We established a Green Construction training program. Our Remarkable Woman program made a lasting impact on preventing and caring for diabetes. We awarded 177 college scholarships. We began a parent aide program to enhance our foster care prevention program services. Please read through this annual report to see how our services make a difference for those in this community facing challenges in securing economic self reliance and caring for their families.
2010 marks the National Urban League’s 100th Anniversary. We are proud to celebrate our Centennial and see it as a time to reflect on our legacy, as well as to address the challenges ahead.

This year’s economic downturn has brought financial challenges to the Buffalo Urban League which have affected our bottom line. Our Board, staff and volunteers have accepted the challenge of being more efficient and identifying more resources while not compromising the quality of service we provide to this community. We will continue to break the cycle of poverty one person at a time. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering communities and changing lives. We urge you to join with us to be part of the solution.



	Stephen W. Bell Chair of the Buffalo Urban League Board of Directors	Brenda W. McDuffie President & CEO

	Message from the Board Chair and President This past year has brought challenge and opportunity for the Buffalo Urban League as we continued to fulfill our mission. Our Board of Directors adopted the five empowerment strategies of the National Urban League (described on the inside cover) and a strategic plan which embarks on two initiatives designed to have sustainable impact on stabilizing neighborhoods and reducing poverty. The initiatives will strengthen families, improve educational outcomes and create and enhance economic opportunities for individuals and businesses. It will create a model which can be replicated neighborhood by neighborhood in this community. The two interrelated initiatives have working titles of “Education Begins at Birth” and “Live Buffalo.” Each of these efforts begins by focusing on a specific neighborhood located in the 14215 zip code where the most significant indicators of need and disparities in economics, education and health exist. The Buffalo Urban League will work in partnership with the many other individuals, groups, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, government entities and educational institutions who share a commitment to making a positive long-term sustainable impact. “Education Begins at Birth” is a multi-generational approach to address the family and education issues that impact the future success of children and families. It will integrate services from the birth of a child through to adulthood to ensure each child is able to achieve their full potential. “Live Buffalo” is a comprehensive community and economic development focus where the housing, business, employment and safety needs of residents will be addressed by revitalizing, stabilizing and developing housing, businesses and employment opportunities. Throughout the last year, the Board, volunteers and staff have found ways to improve and increase service. We established a Green Construction training program. Our Remarkable Woman program made a lasting impact on preventing and caring for diabetes. We awarded 177 college scholarships. We began a parent aide program to enhance our foster care prevention program services. Please read through this annual report to see how our services make a difference for those in this community facing challenges in securing economic self reliance and caring for their families. 2010 marks the National Urban League’s 100th Anniversary. We are proud to celebrate our Centennial and see it as a time to reflect on our legacy, as well as to address the challenges ahead. This year’s economic downturn has brought financial challenges to the Buffalo Urban League which have affected our bottom line. Our Board, staff and volunteers have accepted the challenge of being more efficient and identifying more resources while not compromising the quality of service we provide to this community. We will continue to break the cycle of poverty one person at a time. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering communities and changing lives. We urge you to join with us to be part of the solution.