Health clinic gets national accreditation

 Jericho Road Family Practice has been a proactive healthcare source in the community by reaching out to at-risk patients. Now, the practice has been accredited by a national organization for its work. This recognition has opened the door for Jericho Road to expand its reach and develop more services for the patients who need it most. Full story

Rivera takes lead on hydro-fracking legislation

 Water treatment in the city of Buffalo has been an ongoing issue.
 Frack Action Buffalo, led by Rita Yelda, and Niagara District Councilmember David Rivera and North District Councilmember Joseoh Golombek have worked to pass Buffalo’s Community Protection from Natural Gas Extraction Ordinance, and stop hydraulic fracturing, a dangerous form of water treatment.
 The ordinance was passed last fall, and officially bans hydraulic fracturing in the city of Buffalo, as well as the dangers of the wastewater from the process.
Full story

Agency gives refugees more time to adapt

 With almost 500 refugees coming into Buffalo every year, most programs can only fund six months of resettlement help. Jericho Road Ministries is there to help them for another two- to three-years. The ministry has many programs that help the refugees, including F.L.Y. This after school program caters to middle school refugee students with the help from AmeriCorps workers. This program relies on grants to provide the services that help these children succeed in America. Full story

Former drug house to be center for women

 It Takes a Village and the Hananiah Lutheran Church are taking a stand at 425 Normal Ave. Beverly Newkirk and Rev.Kenyatta Cobb Sr. are working to "rebuild the people" of the community so that the community can grow.
 Their focus will be on young women ages 15 to 25. These young women will be helped to find a career path or go to college. They will also be given financial counseling as well as spiritual counseling.
 “People need to know that they are worthy, I don’t care who they are. There is a purpose and plan for their life, and they need to know that,” Newkirk said. Full story

Shelters offer health care to homeless

With flu and cold season in full swing, some shelters offer health services, and provide hot meals for hungry people, making the long winter more bearable.Full story

Pridgen sees need to coalesce city leaders

Rev. Darius Pridgen

 Rev. Darius Pridgen has recently been elected to join the City of Buffalo Common Council as representative of the Ellicott District. Brimming with new ideas on how to re-cultivate business in the area, Pridgen is hoping to bring a new outlook to the common council. He plans to work with Niagara District Councilmember David Rivera to bring the Niagara and Ellicott districts together, creating a new sense of pride and stability downtown. Full story

English programs for immigrants get boost

Tutor and English-language student at First Presbyterian

 The number of English language learners on the West Side is increasing.
Assisting with this is the BELL Network, a committee made up of the Buffalo Public Schools, local resettlement agencies, Buffalo State College, Houghton College and the Refugee Tutoring Project.
 The focus of the network is to expand existing programs and create new programs supporting English language learners, as well as form a larger network linking the various programs in order to help them all work together. Full story