Community News

BUFFALO, NY – Soul Saving Revival Center is excited to announce the 18th Annual Free Clothing and Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, a heartfelt community event dedicated to blessing hundreds of families. The giveaway will take place on Saturday, November 23rd at 664 Fillmore Avenue. Buffalo, NY 14212 beginning at 12-5:00 PM. This cherished tradition aims to uplift and support individuals and families in need during the Thanksgiving season by providing warm clothing and a delicious meal at no cost. Senior PastorRobert L. Robinson Jr. emphasized the church’s unwavering mission to serve: “The strength of our church lies in our collective desire to bring God’s love to our community in practical ways. This event is a testament to our faith in action.” Elder Robert L. Robinson III shared the church’s commitment to purposeful outreach: “We are intentional about being in our community and meeting people right where they are. Our goal is to make sure everyone feels seen, loved, and supported.” Elder Ernistine Grooms, the visionary behind the Thanksgiving Dinner, reflected on the divine inspiration that brought this event to life: “God laid it on my heart to prepare this dinner and ensure that at least 400 people are fed. It is a privilege to serve in a way that embodies the love of Christ.” Sister Ravalla Gaines, a devoted church member who organizes the clothing giveaway, expressed the driving force behind her service: “I felt led to share clothes with the community, knowing how even small acts of generosity can make a big difference. When God calls you to give, you give from the heart.” Soul Saving Revival Center invites everyone in the community to join us for this blessed day of giving and gratitude. We look forward to making connections and sharing the joy of the season together. For more information or to get involved, please contact Robert L. Robinson III at 716 517-1310 About Soul Saving Revival Center Soul Saving Revival Center is dedicated to spreading the message of hope and transformation through faith, love, and community outreach. We believe in the power of service and are committed to positively impacting the lives of those around us. Read More From Buffalo Latino Village All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology SOUL SAVING REVIVAL CENTER HOSTS 18TH ANNUAL FREE CLOTHING AND THANKSGIVING DINNER GIVEAWAY FOR THE COMMUNITY November 18, 2024/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More “BACK TO THE TWILIGHT ZONE: A PUERTO RICAN COLONY IN BUFFALO, NY” November 18, 2024/No Comments Book by Alberto O. Cappas  The most recent book by Alberto O. Cappas is titled “Back to the Twilight Zone:… Read More BUFFALO’S WEST SIDE AND PUERTO RICAN COMMUNITY: A REVIEW OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS November 18, 2024/No Comments Alex Patiño, Malaquia Nieves, Francisca Ortiz Muñoz,Darian McIntosh, Elliott Lear, Viyona Chavan, Lucie Laurian Buffalo’s 39,000 Puerto Ricans, who constitute most… Read More Load More End of Content.

Alex Patiño, Malaquia Nieves, Francisca Ortiz Muñoz,Darian McIntosh, Elliott Lear, Viyona Chavan, Lucie Laurian Buffalo’s 39,000 Puerto Ricans, who constitute most of the city’s Latino population, predominantly reside on the West Side and are integral to the city’s identity. This summer, the Puerto Rican Community Center, El Batey, and the University at Buffalo’s Urban and Regional Planning Department collaborated to assess conditions and pinpoint opportunities for community advancement. Our investigation covered street conditions, including sidewalks and lighting, as well as the availability of health services, such as hospitals, clinics, and dental offices. The most severe street conditions were noted in the northern section of the Upper West Side, the central area of the Lower West Side, the eastern segment of the West Side, the northwest quadrant of Elmwood Bryant, and the upper region of Riverside. Notably, in the Black Rock and Riverside neighborhoods, where approximately 25% of households are without cars, there is a significant deficiency in health services, leading to substantial gaps in healthcare accessibility. In 2021, the median household income for Puerto Ricans in Buffalo was $23,834, roughly half the city’s median income, with the poverty threshold for a family of four being $26,500. Neighborhood income levels varied, with $20,000 to $30,000 in the Lower West Side, Upper West Side, Black Rock, and West Hertel, and $30,000 to $40,000 in the West Side, Riverside, and Grant-Amherst. Some areas of the Lower West Side saw Puerto Rican families earning only $14,000 to $16,000. A significant portion of Puerto Ricans in Buffalo are renters, ranging from 65% to 87% across neighborhoods. On Buffalo’s West Side, 34% of renters are considered rent-burdened, spending over 30% of their monthly income on rent, which complicates their daily financial management. Higher-paying positions typically necessitate education and training. On the West Side, approximately 39% of men and 29% of women have not completed high school, while 26% of women and a mere 12% of men possess an associate degree or higher. Looking ahead, it’s crucial to back the youth who are keen on obtaining a college education and to assist adults in finishing high school, earning college degrees, and acquiring workforce training. The Puerto Rican community in Buffalo is robust and lively, yet many families face financial hardships and lack access to adequate educational and professional opportunities. El Batey’s directory of Puerto Rican businesses is a resource that can bolster these businesses. Should you be aware of any businesses that ought to be listed, kindly participate in the “Buy Boricua” survey by scanning this QR code with your phone: In our upcoming publication, we will present resources and strategies to bolster education, homeownership, and vocational training. Should you require additional information or have inquiries, or wish to contribute resources and ideas, please contact us at prubunidos@gmail.com. EL LADO OESTE DE BUFFALO Y LA COMUNIDAD PUERTORRIQUEÑA:  UNA REVISIÓN DE LAS CONDICIONES SOCIOECONÓMICAS Alex Patiño, Malaquia Nieves, Francisca Ortiz Muñoz, Darian McIntosh, Elliott Lear, Viyona Chavan, Lucie Laurian Los 39,000 puertorriqueños de Buffalo, que constituyen la mayoría de la población latina de la ciudad, residen predominantemente en el Lado Oeste y son parte integral de la identidad de la ciudad. Este verano, el Centro Comunitario Puertorriqueño, El Batey, y el Departamento de Planificación Urbana y Regional de la Universidad de Buffalo colaboraron para evaluar las condiciones y señalar oportunidades para el avance de la comunidad. Nuestra investigación cubrió las condiciones de las calles, incluidas las aceras y la iluminación, así como la disponibilidad de servicios de salud,  como hospitales, clínicas y consultorios dentales. Las condiciones de las calles más severas se observaron en la sección norte del Upper West Side, la zona central del Lower West Side, el segmento oriental del West Side, el cuadrante noroeste de Elmwood Bryant y la región superior de Riverside. Notablemente, en los barrios de Black Rock y Riverside, donde aproximadamente el 25% de los hogares no tienen automóviles, hay una deficiencia significativa en los servicios de salud, lo que lleva a brechas sustanciales en la accesibilidad a la atención médica.  En 2021, el ingreso familiar medio para los puertorriqueños en Buffalo era de $23,834, aproximadamente la mitad del ingreso medio de la ciudad, con el umbral de pobreza para una familia de cuatro personas siendo de $26,500. Los niveles de ingresos del vecindario variaban, con $20,000 a $30,000 en el Lower West Side, Upper West Side, Black Rock y West Hertel, y de $30,000 a $40,000 en el West Side, Riverside y Grant-Amherst. Algunas áreas del Lower West Side veían a las familias puertorriqueñas ganando solo $14,000 a $16,000. Una parte significativa de los puertorriqueños en Buffalo son inquilinos, que varían del 65% al 87% en los vecindarios. En el Lado Oeste de Buffalo, el 34% de los inquilinos se consideran cargados de alquiler, gastando más del 30% de sus ingresos mensuales en alquiler, lo que complica su gestión financiera diaria.  Los puestos mejor remunerados generalmente requieren educación y capacitación. En el Lado Oeste, aproximadamente el 39% de los hombres y el 29% de las mujeres no han completado la escuela secundaria, mientras que el 26% de las mujeres y solo el 12% de los hombres poseen un título de asociado o superior. De cara al futuro, es crucial apoyar a los jóvenes que están interesados en obtener una educación universitaria y ayudar a los adultos a terminar la escuela secundaria, obtener títulos universitarios y adquirir capacitación laboral.  La comunidad puertorriqueña en Buffalo es robusta y vibrante, pero muchas familias enfrentan dificultades financieras y carecen de acceso a oportunidades educativas y profesionales adecuadas. El directorio de negocios puertorriqueños de El Batey es un recurso que puede fortalecer estos negocios. Si conoce algún negocio que deba estar incluido, por favor participe en la encuesta “Buy Boricua” escaneando este código QR con su teléfono:  En nuestra próxima publicación, presentaremos recursos y estrategias para fortalecer la educación, la propiedad de vivienda y la formación profesional. Si necesita información adicional, tiene preguntas o desea contribuir con recursos e ideas, por favor contáctenos en prubunidos@gmail.com.