The University’s Office of Government and Community Relations is participating in Mayor Byron Brown’s M.O.V.E. VISTA initiative and will host two VISTA volunteers who will work with community partners located near the Main Street campus. These members will act as community organizers who will help block clubs, business associations and community groups better plan, execute and evaluate their programs.
The goal is to increase the capacity of community based groups and business support organizations in the University Heights community with the goal of improving employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents, improve the physical ascetic of the community and help empower area residents to mobilize their community more effectively to combat urban blight.
They will also have the opportunity to work with UB’s leadership staff to help these organizations access UB students and faculty in new and creative ways.
Member Duties : Members will be expected to work with business associations, CBOs and block clubs serving the University Heights neighborhood. The members’ duties will include conducting surveys, designing and utilizing needs assessments tools, developing marketing plans, coordinating outreach/recruitment drives and conducting research on funding opportunities.
Members will also work to help put our partner organizations on a path toward sustainability. They will work on developing leadership and succession plans, helping businesses become M/WBE certified, connecting University resources with the community, recruiting volunteers for the Tool Library in order to expand its capacity and leverage private resources.
Finally, members’ duties will include developing plans that help eliminate urban blight in the community by organizing community service days and working with local community groups that are interested in addressing housing and blight issues.