Currently a group of faith-based organizations has mobilized on the West Side of the city, and is in the process of fixing up a number of “needy” homes. All told the network is comprised of 150 volunteers that are affiliated with Xertion, The Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, Nehemiah 52 Ministries, West Side Ministries, Destiny International, among a few other church groups. The coalition has one objective. To pinpoint homeowners that need help, and to then get the work done in an expedient and professional manner.
The houses that are getting the “facade lifts” mostly fall within the boundaries of Connecticut, Rhode Island, 14th and 15th. The work (scraping, priming, and painting) commenced yesterday and continues on to July 11. The total number of houses being fixed up ranges between ten to twelve. While the volunteers work for free, homeowners pick up the material costs associated with the labor.
The City of Buffalo is named as a partner in this undertaking, with Xertion leading the charge. The headquarters for the group is 301 14th Street.
Each year many of these young volunteers take buses to Buffalo to participate in the constructive activities that we see here. They stay in hotels in Downtown Buffalo and then spend their days working on the houses. While they are here they also get to socialize with the other groups, and meet people with common goals – to do good deeds for those who cannot necessarily do them for themselves. In the end, these young people get a lot out of the relationship, while lucky Buffalo families also reap the benefits.
Photos: Daryl Boss | See Xertion