The Service Collaborative

Environmental justice and #foodjustice are closely intertwined. Recently, our EJC #americorps members serving with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity got to explore this connection when they visited a local farm. To learn more about the Environmental Justice Corps Program, hit the link below! https://www.tscwny.org/eoc

This post is deeply personal to me. The only way I know how to authentically represent women-owned businesses is by pouring my heart and soul into every relationship. That kind of connection is rare in the legal field, and it isn’t possible with hourly billing.

As TSC's Environmental Justice Corps program continues to grow, we're excited to be able to offer even more workforce development opportunities to young people in our #community. TSC is excited to announce the launch of a new track that members can take when they enroll in the #workforcedevelpment program focused on parks maintenance and community improvement projects. If you know someone who would be a good fit, send them the link below! Service Opportunity: https://lnkd.in/eJpsE3SR

It's always bittersweet when our AmeriCorps VISTA members complete their terms of service. Ben Bachman successfully wrapped up his time serving with the Massachusetts Avenue Project last month, and took some time to reflect on his term. Read below to find out what he'll be doing next, advice he has for those considering a term of #service, and more! Ben reflected that his, "term of service went really well. MAP is a truly unique organization in Buffalo in that they are actively procuring local food and selling it in the West Side and in mobile markets across the city. In my position as Development Coordinator... I did so many different things and really my position as a development position touched all the different parts of the work that MAP does, so I'm really just proud of everything that I was able to accomplish." He was particularly proud of the work he was able to do in fortifying MAP's volunteer programs and in bringing the Racial Equity Challenge to the organization through the DEI Committee, which includes 21 days of reflection and discussion prompts for staff working in the #foodjustice space. Ben is really proud of the work he was able to do during his term at MAP, and encourages AmeriCorps VISTA members who are beginning their terms to be confident and pitch the projects that they believe will make an impact at their site. "Even though you might be feeling weird about proposing something, just go for it! You know, it does take time to build relationships naturally but if you're confident about what you want to do then honestly just see if you can do it... Show someone a well vetted plan and say, 'Hey, I'm open to working on this with you. I have this much finished already!" and 9 times out of 10 they're going to be like, 'Oh Ok! Actually, you thought about this a lot, and I kind of agree.'. As he's looking to the future, Ben plans to leverage the skills and connections that he developed during his term of service. He has applied to schools to pursue his Masters' in #UrbanPlanning, and wants to stay involved with food justice work. Good luck, Ben!

#YouthBuild Buffalo member Miracle recently got to attend YouthBuild's annual Conference of Young Leaders, or COYL. COYL is a 3 day event held in Washington, D.C. that brings young leaders from YouthBuild programs across the country together to discuss leadership, job skills training, education, and service. She really enjoyed attending workshops about #leadership, which enabled her to understand people on a deeper level. To Miracle, it was amazing that though, "We all come from different places and had different experiences and hardships but still were able to get a chance to be a part of something that is going to better us and give us different opportunities- not only us but the youth that come after us." Opportunities like the #ConferenceofYoungLeaders are part of what makes YouthBuild Global so special, and we're honored to be a part of that. This project is supported by the Employment and Training Administration of the US Department of Labor as part of an award totaling $1.875 million with 25% financed by non-governmental sources.

EJC member Trinitee took the time to share why she enjoys her service. Take a look at her thoughts below! #americorps #teamup

Every academic year, TSC's YouthBuild Buffalo program hosts interns from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. Throughout the internship, students are directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the program with students-no busy work here! Melissa and Alena have jumped right in, and we couldn't be more excited to have them. "I'm excited to be at YouthBuild Buffalo this year, and I look forward to supporting each student as they achieve their goals!"- Alena Kopec "I am excited to be here to help the students learn and grow skills/their education throughout the year."- Melissa Kamper

One of the #workforcedevelopment tracks that YouthBuild Buffalo students can select when they join the program is Customer Service. If students choose this path, part of their day is spent with Community Services for Every1 studying for AHLEI - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and NRF Rise Up certifications in the field. With so many opportunities available in #customerservice, having these certifications helps to increase students' confidence while maximizing employability post program. This project is supported by the Employment and Training Administration of the US Department of Labor as part of an award totaling $1.875 million with 25% financed by non-governmental sources.

Joseph Peresan has served on our #board of directors since 2016, bringing his wealth of professional experience and compassion for our community to the table. We're grateful that he's continuing to serve! #teamup #buffalony #nonprofitboard

#Americorpsvista member Jaylene recently began her term of service as an Education Assistant VISTA at the Buffalo History Museum. In her role, she'll work to build programs that will reach new audiences for the museum. Keep reading to learn more about her motivations and goals, and hit the link below to check out the wonderful event Jaylene put together for #hispanicheritagemonth!: Event link: https://lnkd.in/eHm4GbtQ Are there any skills that you're specifically looking to develop in your time as a VISTA? "Oh definitely! Just learning more about the nonprofit world and event planning. I would say since you're not directly working with people but you are working with people in mind any of the skillsets there, too." Do you think you're interested in moving into the nonprofit field as a career path after your term of service? "For sure I've always thought about the nonprofit world as a career option, but I didn't know that much about it. You know being in high school and being in college for the first time. So now that I'm doing this, I'm just loving every moment of learning more about it and what goes into the different things you can do." What are some goals that you have for your term of service? "One of my goals is to highlight up and coming businesses and nonprofits in Buffalo, ones that just don't get the spotlight or are newer but are making good impacts already. I also want to broaden the audience of the Buffalo History Museum, so just trying to be more inclusive of all of the different cultures and races in Buffalo!" #Buffalony #americorps #nationalservice