West Side Community Services

?????? West Side Chops tickets are on sale now! ?????? We have limited spots for this unique cooking competition event, which will feature six innovative local chefs creating tasty dishes using ingredients commonly found at our food pantry, Provisions 139. Your standard ticket includes a sample from each chef, one drink ticket, a vote for your favorite chef, and additional hors d'oeuvres from Riff City/Jack Rabbit. VIP tickets are also available and include a lot of great perks: ?? A second drink ticket ?????? Commemorative recipe cards featuring favorite home recipes of our competing chefs ?? Guaranteed seating (if you attended last year, you know this is helpful when trying to juggle six samples!) ?? Specialty culinary gifts from several local farms All the details are at https://lnkd.in/erGNe_t2.

West Side Community Services is growing! We are hiring three new full-time positions and YOU might be the perfect candidate! These new positions will help us expand our healthy food access programs and connect eligible community members to additional services and resources. ?? Food Access Programs Specialist ?? Operations Specialist ?? Health-Related Social Needs Screener Check out our website for the job descriptions and steps to apply: https://lnkd.in/gH2Q44af. We are accepting applications through March 17.

Today is #GivingTuesday and we are working to raise $2,000 to give our senior room a makeover! We asked some of our regular attendees what they would like to see if we had unlimited funds. Some suggestions include: ??? A fresh coat of paint ?? New decor, including seasonal decorations ?? Surround sound for watching movies ??? New shelving and cabinets ??? A fancy new electronic, sonic bingo machine ? A new sink and improved coffee station (with an espresso machine) ?? A fridge and cold water dispenser ?? A senior-friendly exercise machine Thanks to 11 generous donors, we've raised $737 so far. We need your help to get us to $2,000! You can make a gift now at bit.ly/wscsgt2024.

#GivingTuesday is quickly approaching on Tuesday, December 3 and we have a big goal! Let’s raise $2,000 to refresh our West Side Seniors room! This program serves over 200 English- and Spanish-speaking adults age 55+ every year. We provide a welcoming, bilingual place to socialize, play games, practice yoga and tai chi, create art, learn new things, share meals, and celebrate. Recently, West Side Seniors moved into a dedicated room in our building. This allows them to decorate, work on multi-day projects (like puzzles and art), and simply have their own space without having to share it with our other programs and partners. Our older adults are very happy with having their own space, but they would like to spruce it up! The room is an old classroom (and really looks like one). You don’t have to wait until #GivingTuesday to make a gift. Our donation page is live now at bit.ly/wscsgt2024!

Our youth department is hiring! We are seeking an after-school site coordinator and youth specialists for our new after-school program at Primary Hall Charter School (in the Parkside neighborhood). If you love working with kids, dreaming up fun activities, and building supportive relationships with youth, come join our team! Visit https://lnkd.in/gH2Q44af for more info. #BuffaloJobs #YouthJobs #NowHiring #OpenPositions

Please join us in welcoming Bernarda Arias to our board of directors! Bernarda holds the title of Director, Community Outreach and Engagement for the Corporate Social Responsibility/CARES Program at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She brings experience in human resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with lots of community connections and community knowledge. We asked Bernarda a couple questions so you can get to know her! Q: What made you want to join the WSCS board? A: The work being done to empower those that need it most. The diversity in those that WSCS serves is something that I am passionate about. Growing up in Dominican Republic allowed me to experience not having the resources that we need to be successful and so I want to be part of a group that brings resources to those that need it most, as this can truly transform lives, especially in the West Side community. Q: What is your favorite thing about living in Buffalo? A. My favorite thing about this city is the resilience that I see in people. Many say that Buffalo is a tough city to live in, and I experienced that in my time here especially being away from my family in NYC/DR, but one thing is for sure about Buffalo, we come together when we have to and I have learned so much here, about myself and about giving back to those that need it most. To the point that I wouldn’t be who I am, without the things I learned/lived in Buffalo. So I am grateful for Buffalo! Welcome aboard, Bernarda!

Please join us in welcoming Thomas Lang to our board of directors! Thomas is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law and also holds his MBA from UB. He is a partner at Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, where he specializes in business litigation and trusts and estate planning. Thomas has adopted the Rotary motto, “Service above Self,” as his personal maxim. He serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Shea's Performing Arts Center, NETWORK IN AGING OF WNY INC, and Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels. Outside of his work at the law firm and his board service, he is also a dealer in rare coins and precious metals. We asked Thomas what he likes best about living in Buffalo. He said, "The months of May to September. (No better May – Sept anywhere in the country than Buffalo, NY!)" Welcome aboard, Thomas!

Please join us in welcoming Caitlin Coder to our board of directors!, Caitlin is a commercial real estate professional with over six years of industry experience. A graduate of the University at Buffalo and a Western New York native, she has brokered transactions of industrial properties, retail plazas, multi-family, and mixed-use investment properties. She specializes in tenant representation and especially enjoys working with women-owned small businesses and nonprofits to identify location opportunities. She lives on the West Side with her dogs Frank and Mona. We asked Caitlin, "What is your favorite thing about living in Buffalo?" Caitlin: "My favorite thing about living in Buffalo is taking advantage of our remarkable park system! For me, walking through the park isn't just a pastime; it's an essential and joyful part of my daily routine. Equitable access to green space is something I deeply value and appreciate about our city." Welcome aboard, Caitlin!

West Side Chops could not happen without our generous sponsors! We are so grateful for them and their focus on community engagement and support. Chef de Cuisine sponsor: Rich Products Corporation & Rich Family Foundation Sous Chef sponsors: M&T Bank KeyBank Saucier sponsors: Delaware North D'Youville University & D'Lish Kitchen at D'Youville Greenlight Networks Chef and bar supporters: Ashland Pest Control Employer Services Corporation Towey Law, PLLC Cater Tots City of Light Creative & Consulting, LLC Schneider Services Try-It Distributing Co., Inc.