We’re Hosting a Farmer’s Market on August 4th

 

This summer, West Side & Black Rock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing Services will take on a new project by hosting a one-day farmer’s market in the Black Rock neighborhood.

The market will run on Saturday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Market Square on the corner of Niagara Street and Amherst Street.  Freshly grown fruits and vegetables, home-baked goods, and handmade crafts will be for sale. The market will also feature a “Veggie Swap” table, at which fruit and vegetable growers may trade their own produce for other greens. Sign up to volunteer for the day here.

In conjunction with the farmer’s market, we will hold the (rescheduled) Home Matters fundraiser to benefit Project Homeless Connect, a program of the WNY Coalition for the Homeless that brings resources to homeless people in need. There will be over 50 raffle baskets, plus a grand prize of a three-hour tour for four on the Black Pearl Tall Ship.

The 8^th annual Black Rock & Riverside Garden Tour will also take place that same day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are free, self-guided, and will proceed rain or shine.

Vendors can still sign up for late registration here; all late registered vendors will need to provide their own table and chairs and pay the normal fee of $25. Please contact Brigidann Rauch at 877-3910 or by email at brauch@wsnhs.org when registering.

June 2: We're celebrating NeighborWorks Week with a fundraiser for Project Homeless Connect

As part of NeighborWorks^® Week 2012, West Side & Black Rock-Riverside NHS are hosting a fundraiser for Project Homeless Connect, a program of the WNY Coalition for the Homeless that brings resources to homeless people in need. 

On Saturday, June 2, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the two agencies will bring food, entertainment and neighbors together at 367 Connecticut Street, the lot next to the Golden Key. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.

 A ticket buys a hotdog, provided by Mineo and Sapio, and a drink, as well as entry into the grand prize raffle: a three-hour tour for four people on the Black Pearl Tall Ship. Veggie options provided by Go Veggies will be also available. The proceeds of this event benefit homeless families and our community on the West Side, in Buffalo, and all of WNY. 

West Side NHS is seeking volunteers to help with the event. Those interested in volunteering may visit the agency's page on Volunteer WNY or email Brigidann Rauch at brauch@wsnhs.org.

The theme for West Side NHS’ 2012 NeighborWorks^® Week is “Home Matters,” meaning that access to a safe, quality and affordable home matters to everyone and that securing a home for everyone benefits all. Every newly built or rehabbed home creates jobs, improves the local economy and improves the health and well-being for the family.

According to recent statistics released by the WNY Homeless Alliance, in Erie County alone on an average night an estimated 1,000 people spend the night homeless. Twenty-two percent of the homeless population in Erie County are children under 18, and, of that 22%, 40% are under the age of 5. Project Homeless Connect links these families with available resources and helps bring them into stable homes.

This event is part of West Side NHS annual celebration of NeighborWorks^® Week. During NeighborWorks^® Week, West Side NHS and other NeighborWorks^® organizations across the country will mobilize tens of thousands of business people, residents and government officials in a week of neighborhood change and awareness. They will rehab and repair homes, paint and landscape properties, conduct neighborhood tours, recognize successful partnerships and host a number of events that educate, train and inform. In 2011, more than 4,700 families benefited from the week’s activities nationwide.

We're hiring 2 Summer VISTAs!

We're hiring 2 Summer Associate VISTAs to serve from June 11-August 18.

The Summer Associates will collect data on our community level outcomes in target neighborhoods, carry out a foreclosure prevention outreach program, and help to plan a community event in a target neighborhood. Associates get the same living allowance as full-term VISTAs, and are eligible for a $1,174 education award.

Applications are due by May 2! See the full job description at idealist.org, or apply at the AmeriCorps portal.

Handyman Needed for Minor Home Repair Program

Image Courtesy of Neighborworks AmericaWest Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. is currently looking for a part-time 'handyman' to help with our Minor Home Repair Program.

You must have your own tools, reliable transportation and hold a valid Commercial Surety Bond.  

If you currently do not hold a Surety Bond, our insurance agency is willing to provide you with a $5,000.00 Surety Bond for $125.00 per year.

For more infomration or if you're interested in this opportunity, please contact Michele Gil at 716-885-2344 or via e-mail at mgil@wsnhs.org.

Know Your Rights: Foreclosure Prevention Information Session

 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: If you (or someone you know) are faced with foreclosure or would like more information on rights of homeowners or occupants, please attend this event coming this Saturday, February 4 from 11am to 3pm. Housing counselors and Attorneys will be present to meet with you face-to-face.

The event, sponsored by NY State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, will take place at three separate locations in the City of Buffalo:

Hispanics United, 254 Virginia St, Buffalo NY 14201
West Side Community Center, 161 Vermont St, Buffalo NY 14213
North Buffalo Community Center, 203 Sanders Rd, Buffalo NY 14216

The event is free and open to the public.

Please call 716-885-9630 for more information.

Saturday, February 4 from 11am to 3pm.