West Side diaper bank opens for withdrawals

West Side Community Services has partnered with Every Bottom Covered to create a diaper bank at Provisions 139. The diaper bank is just a short walk away from the Community Services main building and is located at 139 Vermont St. Provisions and its services are available to residents within zip codes: 14201, 14209, 14213, 14222. In order to qualify for services, one must show identification and proof of residence. The diaper bank is in the same facility as the food pantry. Once that is shown and verified, Community Services allows those in need to take 25 diapers per child, twice per month. Mary Schaefer, the senior manager of marketing at Community Services, said that the two organizations partnered up to make a diaper bank that services Buffalo’s West Side because the diaper banks that exist within Buffalo may be too far away for some residents to go to without disrupting their day in a significant way. For those who do not live in the zip codes listed above, Every Bottom Covered helps Buffalo’s East Side, and is located at 877 E. Delavan Ave. By Jason Guth and Kyle Wekenmann

Mr. Sizzle's brings creativity to burgers and more

 

Christopher Casas owns Mr. Sizzle's with his wife Casey

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most people were home binge-watching and eating snacks. However, Christopher Casas and his wife Casey developed an idea to open a restaurant with an interesting combination of food. The couple decided to open Mister Sizzle's in 2021. Mister Sizzle's, 346 Connecticut St., near Normal Avenue, is a trendy and inclusive burger restaurant with customers rushing to the doors to try its unique combination of food. From their peanut butter and jelly burger to pork rinds combined with hot fudge, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, the couple has come up with ideas for food combinations and creative names for their dishes to serve to the public. Unlike most restaurants, especially on Sundays, Mister Sizzle's is open late daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and serves brunch only on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. "The West Side chose us; the space opened up, we came down here when we looked at the Horsefeathers building, and we fell in love with it, and that's been amazing. The West Side  definitely embraced us, and we are very grateful for it," Christopher Casas, the owner of Mister Sizzle's, said. The restaurant includes a bar with cocktails, other alcoholic beverages, and milkshakes. Mister Sizzle's also included vegan options and mocktails to include those who may have dietary restrictions or do not drink alcohol. Mister Sizzle's also caters to customers who want to host an event or party. By Danielle Graham

 

 

Immigrant creates saftey net for newcomers

 By Otisha James and Amnah Mohson

In hopes of starting a better life, Asukulu Resor faced hardships being an immigrant adapting to the American lifestyle. The language barrier, culture shock, and feeling of isolation have caused an imminent need for mental health resources.  

This prompted Resor, CEO of Center of Solidarity for Refugees and Immigrants Services, to start his company, offering a safety net for refugees and immigrants on the West Side.

“Some of them are already traumatized by seeing people dying in front of them, hearing the sounds of guns all the time, and including the stresses that they're going through in America, everything in America is stressful,” Resor said.

Asukulu Resor

Individuals who are looking for better opportunities opt to leave their homes and resettle in other countries. The move is frequently accompanied by renewed hope for better living conditions and the ambition to pursue goals that were previously impossible in their home country.

Often, migrants come from cultures that focus on family and have a hard time adapting to a country with individualistic and independent culture.

Due to cultural stigma, immigrants and refugees withdraw from mental health care services. They are actively discouraged from getting help for mental health issues and issues related to them in their communities. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that many immigrant families live within or very close to their immigrant community but yet the sense of separation still exists. Their hesitation is frequently caused by financial concerns or a fear that others may find out.

Christie Lesser, department chair of behavioral health at the Neighborhood Health Center, says creating a community where individuals have a sense of assurance can lead to a vulnerable environment that offers emotional and behavioral health support.

“The stigma and the lack of services, and the isolation that so many of our refugees and immigrant populations experience, we could do better as a community,” Lesser said.

Researchers at the National Library of Medicine have found that trauma exposure during migration is associated with a range of mental health outcomes. Michael Murphy of Catholic Charities says that immigrants experienced all kinds of situations while migrating and oftentimes find it hard to meet people who relate. 

“The trauma is not only what you essentially experience, to sort of trigger the evidence or the activity to get you to the United States but I think that the trauma is also having to figure out how, if or when you’ll be able to process that because again you may not find the resources that you could need in order to make that happen,” Murphy said. 

 

Murphy, on the immigrant experience in American culture:

https://soundcloud.com/otisha-james/michael-murphy-on-immigrants-coming-to-america 

 

Since 2001, more than 15,000 refugees have moved to Buffalo. The West Side neighborhood in particular has seen significant urban recovery thanks to refugees and other migrants. The growth of immigrants and refugees in Buffalo helped offset the population decline between 2000 and 2014.

Treatment services in immigrant communities can lead to a culturally diverse neighborhood where mental health services are accepted.

Westside Stories reopens with new owners

 

It’s time for new owner Keri Thomas-Whiteside, left, to turn the page at Westside Stories Used Books, 398 Grant St. at the corner of Garner Street, as she checks out the first customer, Lucy Waite, at the reopened bookstore. After being closed for six weeks due to the ownership change, the West Side bookstore reopened on Nov. 5. Thomas-Whiteside and her husband Bob Whiteside, West Side residents, are the new owners and had been regulars at the bookstore for several years. “Making sure it stayed on the West Side, that it stayed local, we just wanted to make sure we kept it in good hands,” Thomas-Whiteside said. Thomas-Whiteside said that it is very personal to her and the West Side community. “We were all part of it in a way,” she said. “We sold books there, we were customers there. In the early days, there were times that there would be an emergency and I would go in and run the store." Bob Whiteside said that it is important to keep the bookstore on the West Side for the community. “It’s a big thing for the neighborhood. Available books for everybody,” he said. “All different kinds of genres, definitely with an eye on the neighborhood and people walking and coming by.” Most of Westside Stories’ books are under $10, Thomas-Whiteside said. Hours for the store are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays. By Jason Guth and Kyle Wekenmann

Westside Stories, Grant and Garner streets

Thanksgiving side dishes only at this lunch

Big Big Table, 272 Hudson St., is giving the West Side a new approach to Thanksgiving this year.

Big Big Table is providing the community with Sidesgiving, a Thanksgiving lunch without turkey from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Nov. 17,  giving a twist to Thanksgiving and putting all the glory on the classic Thanksgiving dinner sides. The reason for no turkey is because of the lack of freezer space in the  kitchen. The cafe will not be open on Thanksgiving Day.

Employee Natasha Davrados recommends giving a warm meal as a gift for the upcoming holidays.

 “People can purchase meal tokens for $12, the same value of a meal. Come in buy a meal token and give to anyone as a present or just someone walking on the sidewalk. These tokens have the address on it and get people informed and in the door,” Davrados said.

Big Big Table is a pay-as-you-can restaurant as a means to address hunger in the community. It runs lunch service from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. By Grace Blackwell and Alessia Gervasi

 

 

 

Salvation Army seeking food donations

 

 

Some of us enjoy celebrating the cold months by sipping a pumpkin flavored drink and munching on a crisp apple. Others enjoy spending their time and energy helping those in need. Many of these people volunteer with the Salvation Army. This is a charity service that urges people to donate whatever they can to their organization so that they can give it to those who need it. With the holidays approaching many locations are requesting food donations to help people who don’t have homes or the ability to prepare meals for themselves. One of these locations is run by Major Marta Arocho at 187 Grant St. Major Arocho urges people to donate turkeys, fruits, vegetables, and canned goods.  By Jason Guth and Kyle Wekenmann

Guercio & Sons looking for a buyer still

 

Sam Guercio is nearing retirement after running his family's business for 61 years.

Guercio & Sons, 250 Grant St.

Guerico & Sons, 250 Grant St., is still looking for the right people not only to buy  the grocery store and wholesale business but to join the family in being a staple in the community. “Our family will still be a part of the store during the new ownership, although I will be retiring officially,” said Sam Guercio, owner of Guercio & Sons since it was established in 1961. Guercio's put the business on the market back in 2019; it has been on and off the market and is officially back on the market as of April 2022. The business cannot stay in the family due to financial reasons “We need someone with more money to keep the business running and money to buy the products to fill the store,” Guercio said. COVID-19 affected the store financially. The storefront was kept in business but wholesale suffered a 40% loss. “We started with eight shipping trucks and eventually only had four because many restaurants had to close and never reopened,” Guercio said. The Guercios want the buyer to continue providing the West Sides cultural needs,  which include African, Italian and Hispanic stores and restaurants. By Grace Blackwell and Alessia Gervasi