22 Years and Counting

Anita Williams, founder of Takin' It to The StreetsAnita Williams is still at it, 22 years into it. She isn't giving up on the East Side, when so many others have. Williams started her annual summer outreach to Buffalo's East Side, Takin' It To The Streets and hasn't looked back since. The annual event attracts a steady following of city inhabitants, looking for community from some of the many vendors, healthcare providers, and friends at the event. Taking place this year August 14 and 15 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Buffalo. Williams believes people in the city are searching for answers and she believes she can point them in the right direction. "People are tired, and looking for answers, as well as solutions, deep down on the inside they really know it will take a power greater then themselves to solve these issues, over the years we have seen a greater and greater response to the gospel message of Jesus Christ," said Williams. Her faith based approach to urban problems is being met with open arms, as drug abuse, and violence still plague the city.

Speakers this year include Pastor Darius Prigden, Pastor Ronda Henderson, Rebecca Smith, Bishop Drayton, Dr. and Pastor Hunt of Trinidad, Elder Willis Walker, Prophetess Karva, and Dr. Anita Williams while music highlights feature New Beginnings and the WNY Youth Chapter music group, Just Us (Dance Team), Marsha McWilson, Pastor Rosetta Swain, Henri's School of Music, Oldies But Goodies, Delivered, Young People of Gospel, Carol Millhouse, Direct Impact, "Henry T," Moe Badger, George Miller.

The Health Tent will offer a UNYTS blood drive and free give-a-ways like ID pictures taken free for seniors. Additionally people from the Jefferson Medical Clinic, Ways to Work, Meals on Wheels, Buffalo Prenatal, Project Truth, Kidney and Lupus Foundation, VNA (Visiting Nurses), Kaleida Health, the Witness Project and many others

The Kidz Zone, run by Tammy Lee, will feature face painting, storytelling, jewelry making, free school supplies, book give-a-ways, special presentations by radio station WUFO, games, music, Bubble fest and more; under the Community Tent in the Kidz Zone will be academic tutoring, child and adolescent mental health info, Stamp Out Lead, Community Action Organization (Head Start), Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and more   

(some material is this article provided by buffalochristian.com)