Reforming Education

Local Activists refuse the status quo. Group is fighting for the future of our schools.

By Katie Campos

Editor’s Note:At time of print Buffalo ReformED founder Katie Campos announced she accepted a position on Governor Andrew Cuomo's staff as  Assistant Secretary of Education. Buffalo ReformED is now being run by former Assistant Director Hannya Boulos

Buffalo ReformED is an education reform advocacy organization that brings together parents, teachers, business leaders, and community stakeholders in an effort to revitalize Buffalo through an improved education system. Our mission as an organization is clear: we believe that we can make fundamental changes in education if we put the focus firmly back on the students. We believe that if we base every decision we make on how it will affect students, we can succeed in turning around this entire district, and creating a fundamental change in the way we address reform. To this end, we support and promote an education reform agenda that is parent-driven, as parents are the only stakeholders who put the needs of children first, without conflict of interest. READ MORE...

Picture Page: Hearts for the Homeless

Hearts for the Homeless celebrated its 20th year of outreach to the poor and homeless in Buffalo on December 24, 2010.  My wife Peg and I have been with Hearts since its inception. Annually, Hearts for the Homeless continues to reach thousands of homeless and poor people through its Mobile Soup Kitchen and also helping to meet the needs of its immediate community through Hearts Thrift Shop. In 2010 more than 12,472 poor and homeless people were served. READ MORE...

Buffalo REformed

In the past few months, the subject of Buffalo's education crisis has dominated the news.  The District Parent Coordinating Council has been working with the School Board and the City Council to identify the most pressing issues in our public educations system. The primary purpose of the District Parent Coordinating Council to ensure that a partnership is created with the district and to monitor the implementation of the Board of Education's Parent Involvement Policy.  The goal of the DPCC is to have 100% parent involvement and at least an 80% graduation rate at all Buffalo Public High Schools. READ MORE...

Tackling Thanksgiving Hunger

The Buffalo City Mission tackled its annual Thanksgiving “Community Meal” with support from former Buffalo Bills stars, including Cornerback Booker Edgerson (62’-69’), Quarterback/Wide Receiver Ed Rutkowski (63’-68’), Wide Receiver Lou Piccone (77’-82’), and Defensive Back, Jeffrey Nixon (‘79-‘82). The players teamed up to serve more than 250 people a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The Bills alums also greeted guests, washed dishes, and of course, signed autographs. READ MORE...

Coalition to Fight Sex Trade

Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church this week announced the formation of WNY PATH Coalition to foster communication between all individuals and groups that are interested in preventing human trafficking in Western New York. For your convenience we have three divisions that address slavery which are: prevention, intervention and aftercare of victims. We value your expertise and input in this fight against slavery. READ MORE...



Grace House Expands

Grace House Ministries, founded by Rev. Terry King today unveiled and dedicated its new corporate offices in the former City of Buffalo fire hall at 2025 Bailey Avenue. The 11:30am dedication of its new offices will serve as headquarters to the growing ministry serving over 500 men in transition out of prison into society again. King, a former inmate himself, experienced a radical change of heart during his time in prison and founded SGM, Inc. in 1999 after he became painfully aware of the lack of coordinated services available for men who are released from prison. READ MORE...



Racism

By Dan Trippie

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

In reading these words it seems the imagination of our founding fathers had in view a society devoid of bigotry and injustice. Can there be a more lofty ambition than to create a place where racism and intolerance seize to exist? READ MORE...