Seeing organizations come together to sponsor community-based events such as Shakespearean Idol was extremely riveting and enlightening, affording all of the High Road fellows a chance to see how vested powerful individuals were in the community and turning it into a better place to live, work, and play.

This fellow conducted research and design the structure and role for new District Directors, in collaboration with nonprofit partners, member businesses and the staff of Buffalo First.

 

I learned that Buffalo is going through an immensely difficult transition economically but I definitively believe that in the next couple decades some stabilization and growth will occur especially within the fields of medicine with projects such as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The relationships I developed with community members this summer really made the past 8 weeks ones I will never forget.

I worked on the HSCS Career Exploration team, in conjunction with major health care institutions, to develop an inventory of employment opportunities available, salary range, and experience/education required.

I researched funding for public transit, analyzed the budget challenges of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, continued research and advocacy for reform of the Erie County Holding Center, and supported PPG's work with the City of Buffalo’s Living Wage Commission.

I produced a public forum on community benefit terms in project labor agreements (PLAs), in cooperation with building trades unions and Cornell extension faculty.

I worked with CAC staff and Black Rock residents to identify environmental health threats, research targets for clean-up, and develop related educational materials for residents.

One of the most valuable aspects of living and working with the other fellows this summer has been seeing how we all apply our ILR education in so many different ways, and in particular the many paths we plan to take and have taken despite our similar academic backgrounds.  

I learned the capacity this city has for positive change and growth. Urban areas need a populace that has an investment in their surroundings.

There is such a great community dynamic—everyone is so helpful and friendly, and the people of Buffalo are very committed to fighting to improve their home. It is a beautiful place full of passion for culture.

I conducted research on workers’ centers, and developed training materials on workers’ rights for the worker education component of the center.

I learned how much character and potential the city has. I’ve learned to look at the utility every space could yield.

I worked in a team to identify residential customers, recruit potential workers into a new Laborers International Union local, work with local contractors to implement the retrofit program, and develop related social media outreach.

 

Coming from a wealthy Northern Jersey region, I was never shown wide community-based organizations. It was an eye-opener to see the power and potential that these communities run organizations can acquire.

After speaking with the Department of Works and others from City Hall, I’ve realized that only having a good idea is not sufficient enough to get the city government on board. It takes more than a good idea, it takes persistence and a positive attitude.

I got to see how public policy being advanced through a grassroots, community-based approach. The numerous interactions we had with local politicians really opened my eyes to the workings of politics in Buffalo, and how tight-knit things are between local nonprofits here.