PCCE- SUNY Buffalo State University VISTA

SUNY Buffalo State, the only urban public university in the SUNY system, is dedicated to student development through campus-community partnerships. The Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner Office of Civic and Community Engagement (CCE) leads these efforts, advancing the university's urban-engaged mission by providing educational opportunities, developing civic skills, and fostering equitable community partnerships. The CCE¿s project supports K-12 educational well-being initiatives for low-income and refugee students, addressing local needs, promoting sustainability, and expanding outreach through community-based learning.

The new Anchor Initiative aims to build community support for grassroots and transitional initiatives that address K-12 education and youth development gaps in local services. Despite recent improvements on Buffalo¿s west side, poverty remains widespread, with nearly half of residents living in or near poverty, especially among families, refugees, and immigrants. The poverty rate around Buffalo State¿s campus is 38%, over twice the regional average. The 2021 West Side Community Snapshot reveals that nearly half of children, single parents, and refugees live in poverty, with 37% of residents lacking education beyond high school. Communication barriers, such as language differences and low literacy rates, further hinder progress.

The Community Academic Center (CAC), part of the CCE, was founded in 2011 and initially offered programs like ESL, citizenship classes, and youth leadership development. As of Fall 2024, the Karen Society of Buffalo (KSB), a long-time partner of the CCE and CAC, has fully integrated the CAC into the community, continuing to support educational initiatives with Buffalo State students through community-based learning. The VISTA member will contribute to these efforts, enhancing Buffalo State¿s urban-engaged mission through community assessments, resource development, volunteer management, and outreach.