Author: Robert Creenan
On Saturday, May 17th, Hands Across Buffalo organized a human chain that extended along West and East Ferry streets between Niagara Street and Bailey Avenue. The event drew about 5,000 people and around 120 sponsors for the event, which was organized to raise awareness for the homeless of Buffalo. Various workshops were also held around the city at the same time.
By the standards of the two main organizers, Theresa Deluca and Dale Suchlewski, the event was very successful. “We sought to cross all racial and socioeconomic lines to spread awareness for the homeless,” Deluca said.
“People were dancing, singing, and speaking to strangers,” Zuchlewski said. “It sends good karma across the city.”
Inspired by Hands Across America back in 1986, this human chain had plenty of logistical problems to overcome. For one thing, finding a route was challenging because closing off any street could bring Buffalo to a standstill. Trying to make the event safe was an issue to be considered as well. They were worried about getting complaints from businesses situated on Ferry Street. And then there’s the notion of how you’re going to get 5,000 people to hold hands in a straight line. “It’s like trying to make 5,000 kids walk in a straight line during a fire drill,” said Zuchlewski.
That’s probably why an event like a human chain won’t be a regular occurrence in the city. It drained their available resources, made through a grant from the Community Foundation and funding from First Niagara. They consider it a success considering they attracted 5,000 people without the help of beer and food.
“Buffalo seems to have a Charlie Brown mentality, where we’re always worried that Lucy is going to pull the football away,” explained Zuchlewski. “It just felt good seeing people from Buffalo getting so energized and rewarded to be part of it.”
Hands Across Buffalo will be hosting more events in the future thanks to the grant from the Community Foundation. They plan to organize bus tours through various neighborhoods to show the disparities in living in Buffalo and what’s being done to help. Also, they’re planning an event called Unhurt Voices, where people speak out on what it’s like to live in poverty. And they’ll organize a poverty research workshop* with the University of Buffalo and Niagara County.
*Sponsored by the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, Partnership for the Public Good, and the University at Buffalo Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research initiative.
Photo: by Dan Metzinger